Minneapolis–St. Paul wakes up to a cloudy, cool Sunday with a high near 70°F and a 30% chance of scattered showers — but the real story is tonight, when the National Weather Service says severe thunderstorms are likely to move through the Twin Cities with damaging wind gusts as the primary hazard. Stay weather-aware and plan to be indoors well before dark.
Today’s Setup
Easterly winds at 10–15 mph and thick cloud cover will hold temperatures in check throughout the day, with the high actually dipping back to around 67°F by mid-afternoon. A mesoscale convective system from overnight storms in Iowa will push additional showers through parts of the metro this morning. If you’re headed to Lake Harriet, Minnehaha Falls, or any outdoor errand, get moving early — conditions gradually deteriorate as the day wears on.
When the Storms Hit
The National Weather Service forecasts thunderstorms to develop late afternoon and push through southern Minnesota into the evening. Overnight, storm chances jump to 90%, and some storms could produce heavy rain — the NWS says 1 to 2 inches of rainfall is possible overnight. The Weather Prediction Center has a marginal risk of excessive rainfall across the upper Midwest, so keep an eye on any low-lying areas near the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Overnight low around 59°F with SSE winds.
Target Field and Outdoor Events
The Minnesota Twins host the Milwaukee Brewers today at Target Field — early innings should be manageable, but fans need to watch the radar as evening approaches. Stuff a packable rain jacket in your bag before heading downtown. Still need tickets? Get tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub. A Minnesota Twins jersey or Minnesota Twins fitted cap is always a solid call at the ballpark regardless of conditions.
At CHS Field, the St. Paul Saints take on the Columbus Clippers this afternoon — same advice applies. Prefer shelter? The Minnesota Lynx face the Chicago Sky at Target Center (indoors), and the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child touring show runs tonight at the Orpheum Theatre — both excellent storm-safe options. Families stuck inside with restless kids might also appreciate a kids craft activity kit to burn the afternoon hours.
What To Wear
Light layers under that rain jacket — it’s 70°F but feels cooler. Skip open-toed shoes. If you’re out with kids, assume puddles by evening.
Rainy Night Dinner
This is a perfect set-a-programmable slow cooker-before-noon kind of day. Load it up with chili or beef stew and it’s ready when the storms roll in. Prefer stovetop? An enameled cast iron Dutch oven is built for exactly this weather. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Monday clears out with a high near 68°F and lighter NW winds — a much better day after the overnight storms wash through. Another round of storms is possible Monday night across southeast Minnesota. The Twins continue hosting the Houston Astros May 18–20 at Target Field — bookmark the Minneapolis weather forecast before each game. Martin Garrix brings his Americas Tour to the Armory on May 22 — a Martin Garrix hoodie and Martin Garrix hat are great picks for that show; Find tickets on StubHub if you’re still looking.
Tonight is the one to watch. Charge your phone, know your safe indoor spot, and keep NWS alerts turned on.
