Minneapolis–St. Paul opens Monday under a thick blanket of clouds with a high near 66°F — but the real story hits after dark, when the National Weather Service is forecasting near-certain thunderstorms that could drop up to an inch of rain before Tuesday morning. If you’ve got outdoor plans, now’s the time to move them up.
Today’s Setup
Conditions stay largely dry through the afternoon with light northwest winds of 0 to 5 mph. A slight chance of showers or thunderstorms edges in after 5 PM CT, but most of the day is workable. This is your window — mow the lawn, take a walk around Lake Harriet, or grab a bike ride along the West River Parkway before the bottom falls out tonight. Get your outdoor to-do list done early.
Twins at Target Field Tonight
The Minnesota Twins host the Houston Astros tonight at Target Field, and it’s going to be a race against the weather. Expect a mostly dry first pitch, but showers will likely push in as the evening progresses and northwest winds increase to 5–15 mph. Bring a rain jacket and dress in layers. If you’re still looking for seats, Find tickets on StubHub before they go. Gear up with a Minnesota Twins jersey or a Minnesota Twins fitted cap — you’ll want the warmth and the team spirit.
Tonight’s Storm Risk
The National Weather Service office in Chanhassen is clear: widespread showers and thunderstorms will spread northward across the Twin Cities during the early evening, with the heaviest rainfall and best thunder chances between 8 PM and midnight CT. Precipitation probability reaches 100%, and NWS forecasters are calling for 3/4 to 1 inch of rain across the metro. They cannot rule out a few strong to severe storms capable of damaging wind gusts across far-southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin — though the Twin Cities metro sits generally north of tonight’s prime severe weather corridor. Stay weather-aware if you’re out late, and make sure your phone has alerts turned on.
Tuesday: Cold and Blustery Behind the Front
Any lingering showers wrap up before 8 AM CT Tuesday, leaving mostly cloudy skies and a high near 57°F. Northwest winds around 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph will make it feel noticeably raw for late May. The Twins and Astros play again Tuesday, May 19 at Target Field — layer up and expect a stiff breeze off the river. Tuesday night drops to around 41°F, so keep a jacket handy.
Rainy Night Meal Idea
With storms rolling in after dinner, tonight calls for a set-it-and-forget-it approach. Load up a programmable slow cooker in the morning with a beef stew or a hearty chili and come home to a hot meal no matter when the rain arrives. An enameled cast iron Dutch oven is equally perfect for a big pot of soup on the stovetop. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything delivered before the first thunderclap.
If the storms keep you pinned inside longer than expected, a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle makes for solid rainy-night entertainment.
Next Few Days
Midweek brings a seasonably cool and dry stretch — a genuine relief after tonight’s soaking. Rain chances return Friday, per NWS forecasters. Coming up on the events calendar: Baby Keem - The Ca$ino Tour hits the Armory on May 20 (indoors, so weather’s no factor), and Martin Garrix brings the Americas Tour to the Armory on May 22. The Twins also wrap up the Houston series Wednesday, May 20 at Target Field — check back for an updated gameday forecast.
For the latest conditions, bookmark the Minneapolis weather forecast and check back each morning.
