Saturday heat and wind advisories; Sunday thunderstorms

It'll be hot and humid this Saturday afternoon.

I'd call it steamy.

Temperatures will soar into the mid to upper 90s over much of southern and central Minnesota, and dew point temperatures will be in the sticky 60s to near 70 degrees.

The heat and humidity will push heat index values to around 100 in many areas, so a heat advisory is in effect from noon to 8 p.m. this Saturday for much of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area:

Here are heat advisory details, from the NWS:

MNZ051-059>063-066-068>070-077-084-102100-

/O.EXT.KMPX.HT.Y.0001.170610T1425Z-170611T0100Z/

Sherburne-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-McLeod-Carver-

Scott-Dakota-Rice-Waseca-

Including the cities of Elk River, Monticello, Minneapolis,

Blaine, St Paul, Stillwater, Hutchinson, Chaska, Shakopee,

Hastings, Faribault, and Waseca

925 AM CDT Sat Jun 10 2017

...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* TEMPERATURE...Highs will reach the mid to upper 90s with dew

points in the low to mid 60s. The combination of these two

parameters will produce heat index values of 96 to 101

degrees.

* IMPACTS...There will be a risk for heat illness for those who

are active outdoors.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is

expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity

will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are

possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned

room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and

neighbors.

Take extra precautions...if you work or spend time outside. When

possible...reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or

evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat

stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when

possible and drink plenty of water. Do not leave anyone,

particularly children and pets, left alone in closed vehicles for

any amount of time.

To reduce risk during outdoor work...the occupational safety and

health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks

in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by

heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke

is an emergency...call 9 1 1.

It will be very windy too.

Strong winds have resulted in a wind advisory until 4 p.m. for much of southwestern Minnesota and part of south-central Minnesota.

From Sibley county southward to the Iowa border, a wind advisory and a heat advisory are in effect.

Some details of the wind advisory:

MNZ064-065-073-102100-

/O.NEW.KMPX.WI.Y.0004.170610T1425Z-170610T2100Z/

Yellow Medicine-Renville-Redwood-

Including the cities of Granite Falls, Olivia, and Redwood Falls

925 AM CDT Sat Jun 10 2017

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON...

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued

a Wind Advisory, which is in effect until 4 PM CDT this

afternoon.

* TIMING...Strong winds through the mid afternoon hours today.

* WINDS...Sustained winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to near 50 mph.

* IMPACTS...Loose lightweight outdoor objects can be blown around

easily. In addition, driving may be hazardous for high profile

vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Wind Advisory means that wind gusts in excess of 45 mph are

expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult...

especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Thunderstorm chances

Scattered thunderstorms are possible late Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

The Storm Prediction Center of the National Weather Service shows a marginal risk of severe weather in parts of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin Saturday afternoon and Saturday night:

Marginal risk means that an isolated severe thunderstorm is possible.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Noon update:

The Storm Prediction Center of the National Weather Service is now including parts of Wisconsin in the slight risk category for severe weather Saturday afternoon and Saturday night:

_______________________________________________________________________________

On Sunday, there is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms in much of southern Minnesota and parts of central Minnesota and Wisconsin:

Slight risk means that scattered severe thunderstorms are possible;

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential rain pattern on Sunday:

The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the signal that returns to the radar, not to the amount of rain.

There could be some localized flooding in spots that receive the most thunderstorm activity.

Updates:

Updated weather information can be heard on the Minnesota Public Radio Network, and you can also read about any watches and warnings in the MPR news live weather blog .

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m. and 9:35 a.m. each Saturday and Sunday.