Temps rebound; a look at our holiday rain chances

Our average high this time of year is 72 degrees in the Twin Cities metro area. Of course, those long term averages include some cool days and some warm days.

Highs have been cooler than average in most of Minnesota for several days now.

At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, we haven't seen a high temperature in the 70s since May 17.

We could reach the lower 70s in southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities metro area this Thursday afternoon, with mostly 60s in northern and central Minnesota. Some spots near Lake Superior will top out in the 50s.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Mild Friday and Saturday

Highs Friday will reach the 70s in much of  Minnesota:

rt0526h

Parts of northeastern Minnesota will see 60s.

On Saturday, most of Minnesota will see 70s again:

rt0527h2

Highs cool into the 60s over northern and central Minnesota on Sunday, with some 70s south.

Temperatures in the 60s will be common all across our favorite state (Minnesota!) on Memorial Day.

Searching for 80s

Twin Cities high temps could stay in the 60s on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Global Forecast System model shows that we could see 80s by the following Sunday, June 4:

rt0525ext2
GFS Twin Cities temperatures, via MeteoStar

The times listed are in Universal Time, which is 5 hours ahead of CDT. So, the 83 degree high temp listed though 0600 Universal Time on Monday June 5, is the high temp for Sunday June 4.

Meteorologists convert Universal Time to local time on all computer models, so we're used to looking at this time shift. There won't be a spot quiz on this!

The takeaway is that we could see 80 degrees or warmer in the Twin Cities on June 4, 5 and June 7.

Rain chances

Minnesota could see a few very scattered showers this Thursday afternoon and evening.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's North American Mesoscale forecast model also shows scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms Thursday night and Friday:

rt0525rad3
NOAA NAM simulated radar from Thursday night through Friday afternoon, via tropicaltidbits

The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the radar signal that returns to the radar, not to the amount of rainfall.

Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are also possible late Saturday and on Sunday.

Northern Minnesota appears to have the best chance of Memorial Day showers, but scattered showers are also possible central and south.

Check back for updates.

Later sunsets

One of my favorite things about this time of year is the late sunsets!

In the Twin Cities, our sunset is at 8:46 p.m. today.

According to the U.S. Naval Observatory sunset chart for Minneapolis, our latest sunsets of the year are at 9:04 p.m. from June 23 through June 29.

That's time enough for a round of golf after work!

Programming note:

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m. and 9:35 a.m. each Saturday and Sunday.