Minneapolis–St. Paul is kicking off Memorial Day weekend with a near-perfect day: sunny skies and a high near 82°F make Sunday one of the best outdoor days of the spring so far — get outside and make the most of it.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service says any early-morning patchy fog across the eastern metro will be shallow and burn off quickly once the sun rises. After that, expect wall-to-wall sunshine through the afternoon. South winds stay light at 0 to 10 mph — gentle enough for paddlers at Bde Maka Ska or families grilling along the Mississippi at Minnehaha Park. Precipitation chances are essentially zero at just 2%.
Watch For Late-Night Storms
Enjoy the sunshine, but plan to wrap up outdoor activities by 9 PM CT. NWS forecasters say thunderstorm chances ramp up after sunset, with a 50% chance of showers and storms developing between 10 PM and 5 AM Monday morning. The overnight low settles near 60°F with south-southeast winds at 5 to 10 mph. If you’re doing a late bonfire at Theodore Wirth Park or a sunset kayak on White Bear Lake, be home before dark.
Memorial Day Looks Excellent
Here’s the good news: Memorial Day itself (Monday, May 25) comes in sunny with a high near 87°F and only a 13% chance of leftover showers. Fire up the propane gas grill — it’s a proper holiday cookout day. Looking to level up your BBQ? Our guide on how to smoke tri-tip like brisket is a crowd-pleaser that costs almost nothing to pull off.
Allergy Alert
Warm, sunny, breezy days like today are rough for allergy sufferers — tree and grass pollen peak across the Twin Cities in late May. Pack an allergy relief nasal spray for time at Como Park or the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. If you’re doing yard work, a pollen count face mask will help. Keep a HEPA air purifier running overnight for indoor relief after a full day outside.
Events This Weekend
Tonight, Little Women plays the Guthrie Theater’s Wurtele Thrust Stage and the Wizard of Oz runs at the Children’s Theatre — both excellent indoor options to duck the late-night storms.
Looking ahead: the Minnesota Lynx host the Atlanta Dream on May 27 at Target Center. Fully indoors, no weather concerns. Find tickets on StubHub or pick up Official team gear on Fanatics before tipoff.
Brit Floyd: The Moon, The Wall and Beyond hits the outdoor Vetter Stone Amphitheater on May 30 — the extended forecast looks warm and clear for later in the week, a great night under the stars. Get tickets on SeatGeek and grab a Brit Floyd t-shirt to complete the experience.
Dinner Tonight
A light pasta primavera or veggie stir-fry is the move on a warm Sunday evening — save the big grill session for Monday’s cookout. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
The heat keeps building. National Weather Service forecasters in Chanhassen say Tuesday is shaping up as the warmest day of the stretch, with highs possibly touching the low 90s. We’ll have at least three consecutive 80°F-plus days to enjoy — prime time for the lakes, patios, and parks. Check outdoor gear deals to gear up for the week ahead.
