Rainy May flashback; Sunnier Saturday ahead!

+10.1 degrees: June temperatures vs. average at MSP Airport through June 8th

3 number of 90+ degree days so far this year in the metro and most of southern Minnesota

103 degrees: Hottest day in the metro in 23 years on June 7th

.02" June rainfall at MSP Airport through June 8th.

June came in like July:

June 2011 rolled in on a hot streak. It's almost as if somebody flipped a switch and decided summer was here June 1st. Some facts about June so far through June 8th.

- Every day has featured above average temperatures

- 7 of the first 8 days have been above 80 degrees

- There has been a 52 degree range in temps so far this month (From 103 to 51!)

June climate data so far for MSP Airport. Daily "max" temps on the left, departure from averge in red box on the right.

Welcome to Minnesota where anything can, and usually does, happen in weather. Sometimes in the same week!

May Flashback:

The cold front than scoured out our record heat and humidity early this week brings a decidedly chilly spring (or fall) feel to the air. It's as if we're in rewind back to May on the weather maps.

One thing June has been so far is dry, and our current weather system is bringing some much needed rainfall.

The low pressure system pulling out of the Rockies is a pretty good rainmaker.

Showers will continue to spread north from southern Minnesota overnight into the north through Friday. Skies may brighten as the rain tapers off in the south Friday PM.

-Latest Twin Cities radar loop

Overall rainfall totals look to be between .30" to .70" for many locations. Some local areas could see an inch of rain. Tenps will be cool in the upper 50s and lower 60s.

NAM model rainfall forecast paints .50" totals near metro with heavier amounts to 1" south.

Severe risk stays south:

It appears the best energy and instability for severe weather will remain well south of Minnesota.

Brighter Saturday?

It appears the system will pull east of the area by Saturday afternoon. This should lead to a clearing trend, and much of Minnesota looks to see a return to sunshine and some puffy fair weather cumulus clouds Saturday afternoon.

Temps may rebound into the upper 60s, which is still a good 10 degrees below average for June 11th.

Sunday may start sunny, with a weak system attempting to spread some clouds and a few showers into Minnesota Sunday afternoon and evening. Highs may crack 70 in most areas Sunday!

AZ Wallow Fire Updates:

Here's a great tool to keep track of the huge Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona. The blaze is still 0% contained, which means it is basically spreading at the whim of the winds.

Twins "Storm Ready"

The Minnesota Twins made it offical this week. They've received the "Storm Ready" certification from NWS.

"The Minnesota Twins have become the first American League team, and Target Field the first Minnesota sports facility, to attain StormReady Supporter status. The National Weather Service and the local StormReady board are pleased to have awarded this designation to the Twins at a ceremony Thursday morning, June 9.

Twins staff, Chanhassen WFO Chief Dan Luna and warning coordinator Todd Krause and at Target Field Thursday.

Stormready is a National Weather Service program through which counties and communities develop plans to protect residents from severe weather. This includes informing residents of the threats, promoting readiness through community outreach and education, developing a hazardous weather plan that includes weather spotter training and emergency exercises, having multiple ways to receive and distribute warnings, and having a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center."

I may be biased, but in my book the Twins were "storm ready" the minute Craig Edwards stepped into Target Field!

Hope your lawn & garden appreciates the rain!

PH