Coming this weekend: 80 degrees – and maybe some storms?
The weather in Minnesota should be gorgeous by this weekend – though some rain and storms could roll in by its end.
The National Weather Service forecast has the TwinCities area likely hitting 80 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.
Paul Douglas at the Star Tribune called the next week or so "weather bliss." He said 70s should be expected through at least the first half of next week.
And to drive the point home, reminds us that last year at this time, it was in the 40s with flurries. We could see some precipitation this weekend – scroll down for the details.
Other areas of the state are looking pleasant as well. Here's a brief rundown of weekend temps:
Duluth
Mostly sunny with a high of 72 degrees Saturday. Dips to 48 overnight, before a high of 69 Sunday. A chance of thunderstorms and showers throughout the day. [Read more]
Rochester
Sunny and 75 degrees to kick things off Saturday. A 20 percent chance of storms that night, with a chance for more Sunday with a high of 77 degrees. Sunday night, a 50-50 chance of storms. [Read more]
Marshall
Sunny, reaching 78 degrees Saturday, before falling to 54 degrees with a slight chance of storms overnight. A high of 79 Sunday, with a decent chance of storms throughout the day into Sunday night. [Read more]
Moorhead
A pretty small chance of showers Saturday, but with high likely topping out above 80 degrees. That'll carry over into Sunday, where there's a high of 74 with more showers possibly rolling in. [Read more]
Grand Rapids
A high of 77 Saturday, for the city on the western edge of the Iron Range. There's a slight chance of showers that night, followed by a high of 74 with more showers possible on Sunday. [Read more]
How much rain this weekend?
Coming with the summer warmth could be rain, thunder and lightning.
Paul Huttner at MPR's Updraft blog says scattered storms could roll in overnight Saturday into Sunday, but the best chance for heavy downpours is Sunday night. According to Huttner, a band across the most southern stretch of Minnesota could get up to an inch of precipitation.
Here's how much rain the NOAA predicts we'll have from Wednesday through Monday, May 4:
The map shows expected rainfall throughout the state, but with the heaviest amounts in the southern region.
