Shockingly hot this afternoon; welcome showers northwest Minnesota
After starting the month of May with record snowfall, we now are looking the first shot of hot air for much of southern and central Minnesota.
An area of showers and isolated thunderstorms was moving across eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota this morning. The debris clouds from the dissipating storms will slow the temperature climb somewhat for northern Minnesota.
Screen capture from 617 a.m. CDT:
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Source:Weather Underground
With the long daylight hours and the warmth of a May sun, the mercury will surge to the lower and middle 90s on increasing southwest winds. A rogue thermometer in south central Minnesota may reach the upper 90s:
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A closer look at regional high temperatures today shows the expansive area of very warm afternoon temperatures. Take it easy in the heat of the day.
This table depicts the computation of heat index values provided by the National Weather Service:
Please be cautious if you are participating in any activity that puts you in the midday sunshine. You will also be exposed to potential for sunburn.
You can refer to this website for more information on heat safety.
The heat burst will be short-lived as a cool front slides through Minnesota tonight. Highs on Wednesday will be more comfortable.
NAM surface temperatures and wind forecast for Wednesday at 4 p.m. CDT
Source:NOAA/College of DuPage
Bouts of showers and thunderstorms are in store from Thursday night through the weekend. While the rain may be untimely for your planned events, it will be welcomed by the farmers.
Perhaps this afternoon is a good time to dust off the air conditioning unit!
Craig Edwards