Minneapolis–St. Paul is starting Friday sunny and warm with a high near 84°F — but afternoon storm chances make timing your outdoor plans critical today.
Today’s Setup
The Minneapolis weather forecast looks fine through midday, then turns unsettled. The National Weather Service says showers and thunderstorms become possible after noon CT, with the precipitation chance sitting at 50%. Light WSW winds at 0 to 5 mph keep things calm through the morning, but new rainfall totals between a tenth and quarter of an inch are possible once storms develop. Temperatures ease from near 84°F back toward 80°F by mid-afternoon.
Best Window To Be Outside
Your golden window is this morning. Hit the trails at Minnehaha Falls, squeeze in a round at Hiawatha Golf Course, or grab a patio lunch along St. Anthony Main before noon — that’s when conditions are at their best. Front-load any outdoor plans, yardwork, or errands.
Storm Risk: Afternoon and Evening
NWS forecasters in Chanhassen note there’s enough atmospheric energy — 1,000 to 2,500 J/kg of CAPE and 30 to 35 knots of bulk shear — to support storm cells capable of damaging winds and large hail. The tornado risk is very small, but gusty winds and hail are worth watching for. Storms should push east and exit the metro by around 8 PM CT, clearing things out for late evening.
If you’ve got plans at the Killswitch Engage show at The Fillmore Minneapolis tonight, toss a packable rain jacket in your bag for the walk in. Also on tonight’s calendar: the Prince Celebration of Life 10th Year Anniversary Concert at the Armory — an indoor venue, so the storms won’t touch it. Show up in a A Celebration of Prince t-shirt and honor Minneapolis’s greatest musician the right way. You can grab a A Celebration of Prince hat for good measure. Find tickets on StubHub for either show before they sell out.
Twins Weekend at Target Field
Saturday is the standout day of the weekend — sunny and a gorgeous 87°F with zero rain chance. The Minnesota Twins host the Kansas City Royals at Target Field, and Saturday is Royce Lewis Jersey Day, making it a must-attend. Tailgating conditions will be ideal. Rep the home team in a Minnesota Twins jersey and Minnesota Twins fitted cap. Get tickets on SeatGeek while seats are still available. Sunday’s rematch against the Royals is also at Target Field, though the National Weather Service warns wet weather may return late Sunday — keep an eye on the timing.
What To Bring Today
Mornings are clear, but pack a packable rain jacket for any afternoon or evening activity. Once storms fire after noon, you’ll be glad it’s in your bag. Keep the NWS radar app handy if you’re heading downtown after 1 PM CT.
Dinner Tonight
Afternoon storms are the perfect excuse to let a programmable slow cooker handle dinner — load it with chili or beef stew before you leave and it’s ready when you walk back in the door. An enameled cast iron Dutch oven on the stovetop works just as well for a hearty pot of soup. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Saturday is a gem — sunny, 87°F, and perfect for the ballpark or a day on one of the 10,000 lakes. Wet weather returns late Sunday into Monday, so plan accordingly. Looking further out, the National Weather Service is flagging much hotter temperatures by mid-next week, with highs in the 90s expected across the Twin Cities. Enjoy the mild 80s while they last.
