Minneapolis–St. Paul is kicking off Friday, May 15 with brilliant sunshine and a high near 88°F — but the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning across much of central Minnesota, making fire safety a top priority before you head outdoors today.
Today’s Setup
A deep low-pressure system tracking through Manitoba is keeping conditions exceptionally warm and dry. By mid-afternoon, relative humidity is expected to drop to around 20% or lower, while southwest winds of 5 to 15 mph bring gusts up to 25–30 mph at times. That combination — extreme dryness, strong gusts, and near-record May heat — creates dangerous fire weather conditions. Anyone near open land along the Minnesota River bluffs, Minnehaha Regional Park, or the western metro prairies should keep away from any open flame today.
Fire Safety Essentials Right Now
This is not the day to skip fire prep. Make sure your fire extinguisher home is charged and reachable, and check that your smoke detector combo pack is working. Keep a garden hose 100ft coiled and ready in your yard. If you see smoke in your neighborhood, an N95 respirator mask smoke will protect your lungs. Storing important documents? A fireproof document safe is worth having before fire season heats up. And don’t overlook a go bag emergency evacuation kit — keeping one ready is just smart living in Central Minnesota.
Best Window To Be Outside
Mornings are your friend today. Finish your run, bike ride, or yard work before 10 AM CT while conditions are still manageable. A hydration running vest is a smart companion for longer outings in the heat. Saturday, May 16 offers even better conditions — a gorgeous 83°F day with calm northwest winds around 5 mph and zero precipitation chance. Check out outdoor gear deals to prep for what looks like a near-perfect late-spring Saturday.
Twins Weekend at Target Field
The Minnesota Twins host the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game series at Target Field through Sunday. Friday near 88°F is warm but stunning for baseball. Saturday, May 16 at 83°F with barely any wind is arguably the best tailgating weather of the young season — grab your Minnesota Twins jersey and Get tickets on SeatGeek. Sunday, May 17 is the problem day: storm chances soar to 93%, with the National Weather Service flagging Sunday evening as the greatest risk for severe weather this weekend. Have a rain plan ready for that game. Full gameday breakdowns are at our Target Field weather guide.
Also Saturday: the St. Paul Saints host the Columbus Clippers at CHS Field under those same gorgeous skies — a great afternoon for minor league ball.
Tonight’s Events
The Timberwolves host the San Antonio Spurs in a playoff game at Target Center tonight — an indoor option that keeps you out of the heat. The Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Touring) continues at the Orpheum Theatre, and ZZ Top plays Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. Saturday, Charlie Puth brings the Whatever’s Clever! World Tour to The Armory — Find tickets on StubHub if you still need them.
Dinner Tonight
With heat like this, keep it light: a fresh pasta primavera or a quick veggie stir-fry is exactly right for a warm May evening. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
- Saturday, May 16: Sunny, high near 83°F, nearly calm winds — the weekend’s best day by far.
- Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms possible after 1 AM CT; 40% precipitation chance.
- Sunday, May 17: Mostly cloudy, high near 78°F, with a 93% storm probability — the National Weather Service flags Sunday evening as the prime window for severe weather. Plan indoor backups for any outdoor events.
