Weekend weather: near normal temperatures; A chance of showers Saturday in northeastern Minnesota
We are in a drought, so it was nice to see some rain overnight into Friday morning. The steadiest rain moved out of the Twin Cities metro area by midday Friday, but rain will continue in parts of the southeast Twin Cities area into the early afternoon.
Periods of rain will also continue through Friday afternoon in south-central and southeastern Minnesota and in western Wisconsin. An isolated thunderstorm is possible.
Scattered showers and additional thunderstorms could develop anywhere in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin later Friday afternoon into Friday evening.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center shows a marginal risk (dark green) for severe weather for parts of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin Friday afternoon and evening:
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Very cold weather Friday afternoon and evening
NWS Storm Prediction Center
A marginal risk means the possibility of an isolated severe thunderstorm. Some locations could see hail later this afternoon and into early Friday evening.
You can hear updated weather information for Minnesota and western Wisconsin on the MPR News Network. Also check out View MPR news for the National Weather Service radar.
You can check these National Weather Service websites for updated weather information: Twin Cities, Duluth, and La Crosse, Wis.
Mainly dry this weekend
It will be rain-free for much of Minnesota on Saturday and Sunday. North-central and northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin could see some scattered showers at times on Saturday.
NOAA’s North American Average Scale (NAM) forecast model shows the likely rain pattern from 5 a.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Saturday:
Radar simulation from 5am on Saturday to 11pm on Saturday
Noah, via Tropicaltidbits.com
Temperatures on the weekend
The average high temperature in the Twin Cities is 73 degrees on September 16. Highs in the metro area are expected to reach below 70 degrees on Saturday.
Highs Saturday afternoon will also be in the lower 70s across southern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin:
Highest levels expected on Saturday
National Weather Service
Northern Minnesota has mainly 60s.
High temperatures Sunday reach the low 70s in the Red River Valley and across much of central and southern Minnesota:
Highest levels expected on Sunday
National Weather Service
The 60s are expected elsewhere in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.
Report on fall colors
Fall colors are on display in parts of northern Minnesota.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ fall color report for Minnesota State Parks and Trails looks like this:
Report on fall colors
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
When you look at fall color maps, keep in mind that all deciduous trees are included. Maple trees can sometimes peak in an area when the overall shift to fall color is 50 percent or less.
Wisconsin’s fall color report can be found here.
Our shift to fall colors is ahead of last year’s pace:
Fall Color Report (current and 1 year ago)
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Programming note
You can hear live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35am, 9:35am and 4:39pm every Saturday and Sunday.
