Saturday morning, July 18, the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro is waking up under clear skies and comfortably warm temps in the low 70s (around 72°F). The day stays mostly bright, with a high near 89°F and a gentle north breeze around 5 to 10 mph. The twist comes later, as hazy smoke may drift back into town and a stronger shot at showers and thunderstorms lines up late Sunday into Monday.
Smoke And Air Quality
Wildfire smoke that hung around earlier this week is not done with the region yet. Plumes from fires in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin could slide back into parts of the metro this afternoon or evening, especially downwind of those fire zones. People with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults and young children should take it easy outside if the sky turns murky, and an N95-style mask is worth considering if the air looks visibly hazy. Check current readings on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency AQI map for site-specific conditions and any alerts.
Thunderstorm Outlook
Showers and thunderstorms are likely Sunday night into early Monday, with most guidance pointing to rain starting after 1 a.m. New rainfall amounts of roughly a quarter to a half inch are on the table. Monday will turn hot and humid, with a high near 92°F, southwest winds of 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 30 mph. That kind of setup can support strong or damaging wind in any organized storms. For full timing and details, see the National Weather Service Twin Cities forecast.
What To Plan For
Today and Sunday are your best bets for outdoor errands before the heat and storms really ramp up. Sunday itself should push into the low 90s ahead of the front. If you have outdoor plans on Monday, think about moving activities earlier in the day or indoors, secure loose yard items, and be ready for brief heavy rain and gusty winds. Some relief arrives Tuesday, with highs easing back into the low 80s and cooler northwest breezes taking the edge off.
Local Context
We reported on the earlier smoky heat in a July 16 update, which lists local cooling locations and health recommendations. See our earlier coverage for local resources in our report on the city's choking smoke and brutal heat.
