Taste of summer?

Where were you last September 23rd?

I know, I can't remember either. But wherever you were in the Twin Cities it felt like summer. That was the last time we hit 80 degrees in the metro. The mercury topped out at 81 that day at Twin Cities International Airport.

As I write this afternoon I'm looking at mid-80's in South Dakota. That's a hint of the air mass that is about to be "advected" into southern Minnesota tomorrow. I don't know if we'll get that warm, but we may see gleeful bank thermometers flashing 80 in the Twin Cities by mid-afternoon.

Get that outdoor lunch spot early tomorrow if you want a place to sit down.

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The mild air lingers into Friday, then a cold front will sag slowly south across the state Saturday. Waves of low pressure will ride along the front, and rain chances will increase in Minnesota from north to south from Friday into Sunday morning. In the metro it appears our best opportunity for much needed rainfall will come early Saturday. Great news for lawns and farms perhaps, but try telling that to my fellow coaches on opening day for Little League and Babe Ruth baseball.

Some differences are emerging in model timing for the weekend. One model suggests we may clear for Saturday afternoon in southern Minnesota. Another tries to hold rain in longer. We'll let them sort out over the next 48 hours, but suffice to say after our mini summer Thursday and Friday you should expect cooler and wetter weather this weekend.

Enjoy our shot at 80 tomorrow. You've earned it!

PH