Extreme heat watches issued for much of Minnesota ahead of hot, muggy weekend
The Twin Cities has a chance, albeit a low one, for a pop-up downpour with thunder on Thursday afternoon.
If a thundershower hits, it could last up to 45-60 minutes and drop a quick half inch to 1 inch of rain before ending.
There is high confidence that subtle thunderstorm triggers will be moving through Minnesota on Thursday evening and Friday evening. There is low confidence in exactly where individual storms will form, though any that does could bring isolated damaging winds, hail and localized street flooding.
Thursday will be the last comfortable day with partly cloudy skies, highs in the 80s and low humidity. Rain early Friday morning will leave the state humid as temperatures warm to the mid-80s with a breeze from the south.
Weekend heat will push into the mid-90s, and feels-like temperatures will be in the low 100s. Extreme heat watches have been issued for most of Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin through Sunday evening. Storms aren't likely because the extreme heat will prevent the atmosphere from boiling over.
As the heat eases a bit early next week, the metro will be in the "ring of fire," meaning the atmosphere will be conducive to rounds of thunderstorms forming — possibly severe — and with a flood threat.
Rain is expected to return Sunday night and linger into Tuesday, when it'll start to be less humid.
