Minneapolis is headed for a gray, soaking Friday, with rain arriving early, patchy fog developing and temperatures near 60 degrees. The wet weather is expected to slow the commute before conditions gradually improve for the weekend.
Rain Lingers Through Friday
Rain is expected to spread across the city Friday morning and continue into the afternoon. Showers or thunderstorms may develop, while east-southeast winds of 5 to 15 mph could gust to about 25 mph during the day.
The forecast calls for widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches across parts of southern Minnesota, with locally heavier amounts and greater flooding concerns farther south near the Iowa border. A flood watch is posted for Freeborn County, while Minneapolis is outside that watch area. The exact amount that falls in the city and the location of any heavier bands remain uncertain.
Fog and Water Could Complicate Travel
Thunderstorms may be possible Friday night. Rain chances remain high overnight, with another 1 to 2 inches possible in some areas and east winds gusting as high as 30 mph.
Drivers should allow extra time, use low beams in reduced visibility and never drive through water covering a roadway. Outdoor plans may need a backup option, particularly Friday afternoon and evening.
Minneapolis Has a Large Drainage Network, but Localized Flooding Remains Possible
Minneapolis owns and operates a storm-drain and storm-tunnel system, according to the City of Minneapolis’ Stormwater Management Program. The program says inspection, cleaning and repair are intended to maintain hydraulic capacity and structural integrity, and identifies reducing the frequency, severity and duration of localized street and intersection flooding as an infrastructure goal. That system information provides local context, but it does not determine where Friday’s heaviest rain will fall or establish that flooding will occur.
A Past Storm Shows Why Comparisons Need Limits
A separate National Weather Service comparison involved storms on June 9-10, 2026, across Minnesota. The event produced widespread wind damage and large hail, and some locations received more than 3 inches of rain; nevertheless, the agency recorded no flooding impacts. That was a severe-weather event with different hazards and timing, so it is not evidence that Friday’s rain will produce the same results.
The broader precipitation backdrop is also separate from the immediate forecast. A Hennepin County climate assessment says precipitation increases are occurring in every season, with the largest increases in spring and summer. That documented regional trend does not establish how unusual Friday’s rainfall will be or attribute this particular event to climate change.
Weekend Outlook Improves
Saturday should remain mostly cloudy, with a 30% chance of light rain and a high near 65 degrees. Sunday brings the first clearer break, with partly sunny skies, a high around 70 and only a small chance of rain.
The outlook from Monday through Thursday is mainly dry, with highs in the mid-60s and a gradual warm-up toward 69 degrees by Thursday. Overnight lows will fall into the upper 40s and 50s.
The historical comparison is documented by the National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen. Minneapolis drainage-system details come from the City of Minneapolis Stormwater Management Program. The seasonal precipitation assessment is from the Hennepin County Climate Vulnerability Assessment.
