Warmer and more humid; Carolinas and Virginia prepare for Hurricane Florence

We've enjoyed five consecutive days of beautiful weather.

If you liked the sunshine, but prefer more heat and humidity, you're in luck.

Temps and dew points will be on the rise early this week.

Temperature trends 

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Highs in the 70s will be common on Monday, and some spots in the southwest could touch 80:

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Dew points in the 60s will spread across southern and central Minnesota Monday afternoon:

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The southern half of Minnesota are expected to have highs in the lower 80s and dew points well into the 60s Tuesday through Friday.

It'll feel summery for a few days!

Rain chances

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible in northern Minnesota overnight Sunday night.

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

There'll be a chance of scattered showers in central and northeastern Minnesota on Monday.

Hurricane Florence

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NOAA Sunday evening infrared satellite loop of hurricane Florence, via tropicaltidbits

Computer models have been consistent in tracking hurricane Florence toward North Carolina late Wednesday and Thursday.

Florence is expected to be a major (category three or higher) hurricane as it approaches the U.S. later this week.

The National Hurricane Center uses the Saffir-Simpson wind scale to rate hurricane strength and potential damage:

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NWS National Hurricane Center

Here's Hurricane Florence's potential track over the next five days:

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NWS National Hurricane Center

The "cone of uncertainty" shows the range of potential tracks for the center of Florence.

Here's the Sunday afternoon update on Florence, from the National Hurricane Center:

BULLETIN

Hurricane Florence Advisory Number  42

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL062018

500 PM AST Sun Sep 09 2018

...NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER FINDS FLORENCE STRENGTHENING...

...FORECAST TO BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE ON MONDAY...

SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION

----------------------------------------------

LOCATION...24.4N 57.0W

ABOUT 720 MI...1160 KM SE OF BERMUDA

ABOUT 580 MI...935 KM NE OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 270 DEGREES AT 7 MPH...11 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...975 MB...28.80 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

--------------------

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Interests in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic states should monitor

the progress of Florence.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

----------------------

At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Florence was

located near latitude 24.4 North, longitude 57.0 West. Florence is

moving toward the west near 7 mph (11 km/h), and this general motion

is expected to continue today.  A west-northwestward motion with an

increase in forward speed is expected by Monday, and that motion is

forecast to continue through mid-week.  On the forecast track, the

center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean

between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday, and approach

the southeastern coast of the United States on Thursday.

Aircraft and satellite data indicate that maximum sustained winds

have increased to near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. Florence

is forecast to rapidly strengthen to a major hurricane by Monday,

and is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane

through Thursday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the

center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles

(205 km).  Florence is forecast to become larger over the next few

days.

The estimated minimum central pressure from NOAA Hurricane Hunter

and satellite data is 975 mb (28.80 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

----------------------

SURF:  Swells generated by Florence are affecting Bermuda and

portions of the U.S. East Coast.  These swells are likely to cause

life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.  Please consult

products from your local weather office.

Florence's storm surge will be very impressive, but heavy rains and hurricane force winds are likely to spread far inland:

People from Georgia to Virginia will be interested in Florence updates, and will need to make preparations:

We'll have much more on hurricane Florence in the coming days.