Mild temps this weekend, with the best rain chance northwest

After a chilly start to the day, it was a delightful Thursday afternoon across Minnesota.

Temperatures were mild and humidity levels were very low.

Showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected in parts of northwestern Minnesota Thursday evening and overnight Thursday night, and some of the showers and thunderstorms could spread into north-central Minnesota.

Updated weather information can be heard on the Minnesota Public Radio Network, and updates are also posted on the MPR News live weather blog.

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Drought in parts of the northwest

This week's report from  U.S. Drought Monitor indicates moderate drought over a portion of northwestern Minnesota:

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U.S. Drought Monitor/USDA/NOAA/University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Elsewhere in far northern Minnesota, the areas that are shaded yellow are abnormally dry but not yet in drought, according to U.S. Drought Monitor.

Only a very small part of Wisconsin shows up as abnormally dry:

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U.S. Drought Monitor/USDA/NOAA/University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Temperature trends

Highs in the 70s will be common across Minnesota Friday afternoon:

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On Saturday, there will be a lot of 70s with some 60s northeast:

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Similar high temps are on tap for Sunday:

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Our average Twin Cities high temp is 75 degrees at this point in September.

If you’re looking for warmer temps, Twin Cities highs could creep into the lower 80s next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Weekend rain chance

Northwestern Minnesota could see some showers Saturday and Sunday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model shows the potential rain pattern Saturday morning through Sunday evening:

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NOAA GFS precipitation rate (mm/hour) Saturday morning through Sunday evening, via tropicaltidbits

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

Hurricane Florence

Hurricane Florence is expected to be a major hurricane as it tracks south of Bermuda early next week.

Here's the projected track of Florence over the next five days, from the National Hurricane Center:

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NWS National Hurricane Center

It's too early to know if Florence will pass close to the U.S. coastline later next week or veer off to the right.

Check for updates from the National Hurricane Center.

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.