Stormy Monday: Scattered storms could pack wind, hail
Happy Monday and I hope you had a great holiday weekend!
Keep a weather eye out to the western sky today. A Canadian cool front spins in today with scattered storms. There is just enough residual moisture and instability to trigger a few severe storms today. The stronger storms will be capable of high winds and large hail as they trek southeast.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center has southern Minnesota under a slight risk for severe storms Monday.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
.59 inch Global Forecast System rainfall output for the Twin Cities Monday.
Monday's weather culprit is a vigorous spin or "short wave" moving in from the northwest.
Here's the NASA GOES infrared satellite shot of this feature moving into North Dakota early today.
I am a little concerned we could see a potential derecho-like complex of storms form this afternoon and race southeast ahead of this feature. If that happens, a swath of hail and damaging winds could run from northwest to southeast across Minnesota late today.
Derechos are well organized storm complexes that last for hours, bringing severe weather to a long track of real estate that can span hundreds of miles.
NOAA's High Resolution Rapid Refresh Radar suggests a complex of storms approaching the metro by around 7 p.m. tonight.
Stay tuned for possible watches and warnings today.
Season's first 90 degree day
Sunday was the hottest day of 2014 so far. The temperature at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport nudged 90 degrees at 3:06 p.m. for the first time this year. The dew point climbed to a stifling 74 degrees around midday.
Hitting our first 90 degree day in July is not that uncommon. The first 90 degree day in the Twin Cities occurs in July about one in five years. Last summer featured 19 days of 90-plus in the metro. We've recorded (enjoyed?) as few as six days at or above 90 as recently as 2008 and 2009.
Canadian fresh front
After Monday's scattered storms, a fresh cool front blows into Minnesota Monday night. Drier Canadian high pressure brings a delightful air mass Tuesday through Thursday.
Some of the best weather of summer rolls in this week. High in the upper 70s and low 80s, and dew points in the upper 40s and low 50s are just about as good as it gets any time of year.
The muggies return by Friday, with scattered storms as early as Thursday night.
