By DJ Kayser, filling in for Douglas:
It’s been quite an eventful summer so far — and I’m not just referring to the fire sale down at 1 Twins Way! Between Canadian wildfire smoke, heat and rounds of destructive storms, there hasn’t been a lack of weather to talk about.
Since May, the metro has been under eight air quality alerts. MSP airport has observed a top 30 warmest and wettest summer to date. Statewide, there have been 10 2-inch-plus hail reports and nine wind gusts over 75 mph this year, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
Smoke continues to thin out across the region on Monday. However, another batch could impact far eastern and northeastern Minnesota by Monday night. A few scattered showers and storms are possible, mainly north and west of the metro.
That southern wind helping to push the smoke out will usher in more summertime heat and humidity, especially from midweek onward. By Thursday and Friday, highs will be around 90 in the metro with higher heat index values. More widespread storm chances also make a return, and a few of those storms could be strong.
