Minnesota is in for a stretch of unusual late-summer weather that feels more like the tropics than September in the Midwest. On Monday, the Twin Cities will see temperatures climbing to about 86 degrees, but with the humidity, it will feel closer to 90. The air will be heavy and sticky, giving off more of a Florida-like vibe than a typical Minnesota September. Northern parts of the state could experience a few pop-up thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening, though these are expected to be brief and not severe. Most areas will simply deal with muggy air and the occasional distant rumble of thunder.
As the sun sets Monday night, conditions won’t cool down much. Overnight lows are expected to hover around 69 degrees, which means it will still feel warm and uncomfortably stuffy. For many, it might be the kind of night where sleeping with a fan or air conditioning running will feel like a necessity.
Tuesday will bring even more heat. Temperatures in the Twin Cities will reach around 90 degrees, but with the humidity factored in, it will feel closer to 95. This is unusually hot for this time of year, and the heavy, sticky air will make it hard to escape the tropical-like conditions. Once again, the chance of thunderstorms exists, though they’ll be scattered and not expected to turn severe. The real story will continue to be the oppressive humidity, which is lingering longer than Minnesotans are used to in September.
By midweek, a shift in the weather pattern will finally begin. An area of low pressure moving across the region will help push out the heat and humidity that have been sitting over the state. Along with the transition, there will be more opportunities for showers and rumbles of thunder Wednesday through Friday. These storms are not forecasted to be especially strong, but they may bring brief downpours and some relief from the heavy, tropical air that’s dominated the start of the week.
Heading into the weekend, Minnesotans can expect a noticeable change. More seasonable weather will return, with highs in the 70s for the Twin Cities metro and across much of the state. The air will feel fresher and more comfortable, a welcome shift for those who have been battling the heat and humidity. After several days of tropical-like weather, the return of cooler, drier conditions will bring a sense of normalcy to September.
Overall, the week ahead will be one of contrasts. The beginning of the week will feel like Minnesota has been transported to a different climate zone, but by the time the weekend arrives, it will be back to familiar September weather. Residents should be prepared for hot, sticky days early on, with a gradual return to cooler, more pleasant conditions by the end of the week.
