Minneapolis rolled into Sunday, July 19, 2026, under clear, warm skies, with early-morning temperatures near 71°F at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (KMSP). Patchy smoke is expected through the midmorning, then sunshine returns for a hot, sticky afternoon with a forecast high near 91°F. South-southwest winds will start out light to moderate, then pick up later today. If you are heading outside, try to avoid heavy exertion during the midday heat and keep water close at hand.
Afternoon Temperatures
According to the NWS Twin Cities, the patchy smoke should be most noticeable between about 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026. After that, sunshine takes over and temperatures climb, with highs expected near 91°F. Winds will run mainly from the south-southwest at 5 to 10 mph this afternoon, enough to keep the air moving but not especially gusty until later in the day.
Smoke And Air Quality
The MPCA has issued air-quality alerts as smoke from regional and Canadian wildfires drifts south, and the agency is urging children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions to avoid prolonged outdoor exertion through Monday, July 20, 2026. Visibility may dip this morning in pockets of heavier smoke, so expect occasionally reduced views on short drives and at outdoor events.
Tonight Into Monday: Storm Threat
Showers and thunderstorms are likely late Sunday night into early Monday morning, mainly between about 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026. The chance of precipitation sits around 60 percent, with new rainfall totals of roughly one tenth to one quarter of an inch, according to the NWS forecast. Storms could redevelop Monday afternoon, with about a 40 percent chance of storms returning as highs push near 93°F and heat-index values climb into the mid 90s. Forecasters note that some storms could be strong or produce gusty, damaging winds. If storms form an organized line overnight or Monday afternoon, the main threats would be straight-line winds and brief but heavy downpours.
Plan Ahead
For now, the playbook is simple: sensitive groups should stay indoors while smoke lingers, and everyone should be ready for late-night storms that could complicate the Monday morning commute. The MPCA offers tips on protecting your indoor air, and our July 17 story listing local cooling resources is a good reference if you need a place to escape the heat. We will update this post if alerts or storm timing change through the rest of the weekend and into Monday.
