Minneapolis is heading for a sunny, warm day today with a high near 88°F, so get outside now — because the National Weather Service says another round of strong to severe storms moves in tonight and lingers into Wednesday.
Today’s Setup
Expect mostly sunny skies, a light southwest wind around 5 mph, and just a 12% chance of a stray shower. The NWS Twin Cities office notes this morning’s weakening storm line is fading out, but it’s really just a lull. A new cluster is expected to fire up during the evening as a strong shortwave and a low-level jet combine over western and central Minnesota, with showers and thunderstorms likely after 9 PM CT tonight (50% chance, low around 70).
Twins At Target Field
The Minnesota Twins host the Cleveland Guardians tonight, tomorrow (July 8), and Wednesday (July 9) at Target Field — all outdoor games. Tonight’s first pitch should be warm and dry for tailgating, but keep an eye on the sky after 9 PM as storm chances ramp up. Wednesday’s game deals with more active weather, with storms likely before 1 PM and a high near 82°F. Gear up with a Minnesota Twins jersey or a Minnesota Twins fitted cap, and grab tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub before the series sells out.
Rain, Wind, Or Flood Risk
This is the headline: the NWS flags strong wind gusts and hail as the primary threats tonight into Wednesday, plus a non-zero chance of a tornado, mainly west-central into central Minnesota. The Weather Prediction Center has placed the Twin Cities area under a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall, with hourly rates near 0.75”–1”+ possible and localized totals of 2–3” where storms train repeatedly. Soils are already wet, so ponding and localized flooding are realistic, especially Wednesday when the forecast calls for a 67% chance of showers and thunderstorms and up to three-quarters of an inch of additional rain. Have a way to get warnings overnight, avoid low spots and viaducts if driving after storms, and consider a dehumidifier 50 pint home if your basement tends to get damp after heavy rain — a DARAN 288Wh Power Station is also smart insurance if gusty storms knock out power.
What To Wear Or Bring
Sunscreen and light clothing for this afternoon’s heat, but keep a rain jacket handy for tonight’s game or a evening walk along the river. Wednesday morning commuters should plan for a wet start.
Helpful Links
Browse outdoor gear deals for storm-season essentials, or check out the 2-Person Intex Floating Lounge deal for the drier, warmer stretch expected this weekend. Theater fans can catch Wicked — wait, that’s actually the Meghan Trainor concert at Grand Casino Arena on July 13; Meghan Trainor t-shirt and Meghan Trainor hat make good souvenirs if you’re headed that way.
Next Few Days
Storm chances taper off after Wednesday, and the NWS expects temperatures to climb into the weekend and early next week, with heat headlines possibly needed by then. For tonight’s forecast, a simple pasta or stir-fry dinner works well whether you’re eating before the storms or waiting them out indoors. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
