Warm sunshine bounced off Minneapolis sidewalks late this morning while a light southwest breeze pushed temperatures steadily upward across the Twin Cities. The air already carried an early-summer feel before noon, and even hotter conditions are lining up for the next several days.
According to the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, dry and sunny weather will dominate much of the holiday stretch, but isolated thunderstorms could develop late tonight into early Monday morning. Any storms that form may bring brief heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds, especially west of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The bigger story quickly becomes the heat. Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s Monday before peaking near 91 degrees Tuesday across the metro area. Sunshine and dry pavement will help roads heat rapidly during the afternoon commute, while humidity slowly increases through midweek.
Drivers along I-94, I-35W, and Highway 212 may notice increasing haze and heat shimmer during peak afternoon travel Tuesday. While severe weather is not expected during the hottest stretch, a few thunderstorms could return Wednesday afternoon as moisture pushes north into Minnesota.
The warming trend follows a broader national weather pattern. Much of the eastern United States remains wet and stormy, while the Upper Midwest shifts into a warmer and more stable setup for several days. To be fair, this kind of rapid temperature jump can also increase allergy levels and early summer ozone concerns around the urban core.
Residents heading outdoors should stay hydrated, wear lighter clothing, and avoid leaving pets or children inside parked vehicles. Additional thunderstorm chances may return later in the week as the atmosphere becomes more humid.
Five Day Forecast for Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Memorial Day: Sunny, high near 87.
- Tuesday: Sunny and hot, high near 91.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny with slight thunderstorm chance, high near 90.
- Thursday: Sunny, high near 85.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, high near 81.
