Warm through Saturday, bit cooler on Sunday

I heard someone say that it was too hot this afternoon!

Our Twin Cities temperature was in the mid 70s, with plenty of sunshine. That is about 20 degrees above normal, but it didn't feel "hot" to me. It felt great!

Fire danger

We haven't had much rain lately. Because of that fact, plus low humidity levels and gusty winds, we have an increased fire risk over much of Minnesota. The National Weather Service has extended the red flag warning until 7 pm this Thursday evening for much of Minnesota:

Any fires that develop will spread quickly under these conditions, and outdoor burning is not recommended. Weather conditions will be very similar tomorrow, so more red flag warnings are possible on Friday.

Warm through Saturday

Southerly winds ahead of a very slow moving low pressure system will keep our temps well above normal through Saturday:

Western and northern Minnesota could see some rain Friday night and Saturday, but rain chances should hold off until Sunday in the Twin Cities.

Here are those warm Friday highs:

Some spots in the metro area could even hit 80 tomorrow.

We're expecting more clouds on Saturday, so highs are expected to be a notch or two cooler:

Cooler Sunday

We have a chance of scattered showers in the Twin Cities on Sunday, but the best chance of showers will be over northern and western parts of our state. Temperatures will be a bit cooler on Sunday, but still above normal:

Highs in the 60s are expected throughout much of next week.

Programming note:

Are we statistically overdue for a serious tornado event in the Twin Cities? Tornado expert Kenny Blumenfeld and KARE11's Belinda Jenson discuss that possibility with MPR chief meteorologist Paul Huttner on Weather Lab Friday at 10 am. On Climate Cast at 10:30 am Friday, Paul discusses why MN companies are going green on climate.