Minneapolis and St. Paul are in for a mostly sunny Friday with a high near 88°F, light south-southeast winds of just 0 to 5 mph, and only a 2% chance of rain — a good day to knock out errands or yard work before the weekend turns hotter and more humid.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service Twin Cities office says patchy morning fog should mix out shortly after sunrise, leaving mostly sunny skies the rest of the day. A cluster of storms decaying over western Minnesota will stay well to our west, and any afternoon redevelopment is expected to stay limited to western and central Minnesota, so the Twin Cities metro should stay dry into tonight.
Best Window To Be Outside
With light winds and no rain expected until late tonight, late morning through mid-afternoon is your best stretch for a walk around Lake Harriet, a bike ride along the Mississippi River trails, or an evening out at Harriet Island Regional Park. Tonight brings only a slight 15% chance of a passing shower between 11 PM and midnight CT, so outdoor plans should stay dry through the evening.
Heat & Storm Risk
The bigger story is what’s building behind this. Forecasters say a strengthening ridge of high pressure over the Upper Midwest will kick off a long-lasting heat wave lasting through at least the middle of next week. Saturday’s high near 90°F will feel closer to 95°F with the heat index, with a slight chance of morning showers between 7 and 10 AM CT before clearing out. Saturday night carries a slight chance of storms with a quarter to half inch of rain possible before 1 AM CT. The Storm Prediction Center’s marginal hail risk stays confined to western Minnesota, well away from the metro.
What To Wear Or Bring
Light, breathable clothing and sunscreen are the move today; by Saturday, plan on extra water breaks and shade. A portable misting fan is worth setting up on the patio as the heat index climbs, and if you’re heading to a lake this weekend, the 2-Person Intex Floating Lounge with Cooler is deal-priced at $24 right now and built for exactly this stretch of weather.
Twins, Concerts, And What’s Next
The Minnesota Twins host the Los Angeles Angels at Target Field Saturday and again Sunday, with Saturday’s game-time heat index near 95°F — bring a rolling cooler with wheels for tailgating and grab a Minnesota Twins jersey before first pitch. Get tickets on SeatGeek if you still need seats. Looking ahead, Meghan Trainor brings her Get In Girl Tour to Grand Casino Arena on July 13 — Find tickets on StubHub and pick up a Meghan Trainor t-shirt if you’re going.
For dinner tonight, the mild evening works for almost anything — a light pasta salad or grilled chicken keeps the kitchen cool as temperatures climb this weekend. You can order groceries on Amazon and have Amazon Fresh groceries delivered to your door before the heat sets in. Beyond the weekend, expect the heat wave to hold through the middle of next week with little relief in sight, so keep the outdoor gear deals page bookmarked for lake and patio essentials.
