If you want to avoid sunburn, it might be a good idea to break out the SPF 30. The sun is on the way.

Warm, dry weather is expected to be the norm for the Mother's Day weekend across the metro area and much of greater Minnesota, with year-high temperatures projected for Friday.

Thursday is expected to hit anywhere from 70 to 80 degrees with partial cloud coverage. But Friday, wit a potential high of 90 degrees, could turn out to be the hottest day of the year yet. So far, the high is 78 degrees on April 17, according to the National Weather Service.

While clear skies are expected for much of the weekend, there is a chance for isolated showers and a bit of thunder Friday night on account of shifting winds.

Skies might look a little funny as a wildfire forcing the evacuation of Fort McMurray, Alberta, creates smoke that will start to drift over Minnesota Thursday morning. Star Tribune meteorologist Paul Douglas said the smoke cloud might give the sky a "hazy, milky appearance," but would be too high in the air to actually pose any health risks. Douglas hailed the next few days a "taste of summer."

Saturday is expected to be a little cooler. The first day of the weekend is only expected to hit a high of around 70 degrees, but Sunday could work its way back up to 75 degrees, just right for a nice brunch with mom.

Next week the weather is expected to cool down and bring some rain to water lawns and gardens.

Ben Farniok is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.