Back to the 70s

We're back to the 70s today for highs in most of Minnesota.

That's still a bit below average for many spots, but it's a big improvement over Thursday's 50s and 60s!

Rain chances

There's a chance of scattered showers and an isolated thunderstorm in northeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin this Friday afternoon.

Minnesota and western Wisconsin could see some scattered showers and an isolated thunderstorm both days this weekend, mainly during the afternoon and early evening hours.

The best chance of rain next week will be on Wednesday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model shows the potential rain pattern Wednesday and Wednesday night:

The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the rainfall rate (millimeters per hour), not the total amount of rain.

Temperature trends

Highs in the 70s will be common on Saturday:

And also on Sunday:

Twin Cities highs are expected to be in the 70s most of next week, but we could creep into the lower 80s on Tuesday.

Our average high temp is 82 degrees this time of year in the Twin Cities metro area.

Looking ahead, there's a strong tendency for below normal temps all across Minnesota in the six to 10 day outlook from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center:

The outlook covers next Wednesday through the following weekend.

If you like warmer temps, they could arrive around Aug. 16, according to the GFS forecast model:

The times listed are in Universal Time, which is 5 hours ahead of CDT.

So, the 87 degree max temp listed for 00Z on Thursday is the max temp through 7 p.m. CDT Wednesday.

 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., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.