Twin Cities hits 84 degrees, the warmest in seven months

Fire danger, flooding and heat — the weather pattern has suddenly shifted into a summerlike pattern.

The temperature in the Twin Cities reached 84 for a few minutes Monday afternoon. It didn't break a record but was a reminder that summer is almost here.

It has not been that warm since Sept. 13, when the mercury hit 87 degrees. Thermometers last registered readings above 90 degrees on Sept. 22 when the high temperature was 94 degrees.

"We had a blizzard two weekends ago and here we are with our first severe weather chances in far western Minnesota," said National Weather Service meteorologist Eric Ahasic.

The Twin Cities could see some thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon, with the likelihood of severe weather greater in southern and southeastern Minnesota.

But with the warmth, winds gusting as high as 35 mph could add to the fire danger. Dry conditions prevail across the state. The eastern half of Minnesota is in an extreme fire danger while the threat of fires is very high throughout the remainder of the state, the Department of Natural Resources said.

"It's dry and windy. The sun is high in the sky with not a lot of clouds," Ahasic said. "The wind helps dry things out."

On Sunday, a fire scorched more than 180 acres near the state prison in St. Cloud.

Meanwhile, rapid snow melt has pushed rivers out of their banks. A flood warning was in effect along the Minnesota River in Le Sueur, Scott and Sibley counties. In the southwest metro, the Minnesota River was at flood stage at Savage and Jordan and a flood warning was in effect for Dakota, Hennepin and Scott counties.

Highs in the Twin Cities will range from 72 degrees on Tuesday to the middle to upper 60s Wednesday through Friday.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768