Periods Of Rain The Next Several Days

For Cinco de Mayo, we're going to be watching more cloud cover here in the metro with the chance of some showers (and a few rumbles of thunder) as we head throughout the day. I personally think these rain chances could start as early as the morning hours, with better chances toward the evening and overnight hours.

We will watch some scattered showers across the state on Friday, with better chances late in the day across southern Minnesota. Highs range from the 40s and 50s along the North Shore and in the Arrowhead (due to breezy winds off of Lake Superior) to near 70F in southern Minnesota.

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Forecast loop from 1 AM Friday to 7 PM Saturday

A lot of the rain chances during the day Friday will be across southern Minnesota and along the North Shore. As we head into Friday Night, rain chances will spread a little farther north into central and northeastern Minnesota. In the metro, we could see a break in the rain during the morning hours Saturday, with more showers and storms moving in during the mid/late afternoon hours. While not shown above, most of Sunday could be dry for the Twin Cities - with more rain chances moving in late in the day or the overnight hours.

Total Rain Expected Through 7 AM Monday

Across a good portion of the state, at least half an inch of rain could fall through the weekend. The best chances of seeing at least an inch will be across portions of western and southern Minnesota and along the North Shore.

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6-Hour Precipitation Loop From 7 PM Sunday to 7 AM Saturday.

We will continue to see multiple rain chances in the forecast next week, but no all-day washouts are currently expected, and not every day may feature rain.

Highs next week look to remain around/slightly above average, settling in the upper 60s to low/mid-70s - including into the Fishing Opener/Mother's Day weekend. Not too shabby for highs, so you'll want to get out and enjoy it in between those rain chances next week!

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I remember Minnesota Fishing Openers with icy lakes and windblown flakes. Who doesn't love frozen fish? No flurries in '23 but ice-free lakes may come down to the wire up north. "As of Tuesday, the vast majority of lakes I saw in northeastern Minnesota were ice-covered" said Minnesota's Senior Climatologist, Dr. Kenny Blumenfeld. A few channels were open. According to Blumenfeld "We have great conditions for chewing through the ice cover, but it's going to be a nailbiter on some of those lakes."

The magic is fading, for now. A soggy warm front sparks showers and a few T-storms for Cinco de Mayo into much of Saturday, with over 1" rain south of the Twin Cities. Have a Plan B (indoors). Then again, you do have the freedom to get soaked.

Skies dry out and brighten up on Sunday with highs near 70F, but watch for a late-day T-storm. In other news it won't snow. But I do see thundery outbreaks every 2 days or so into next week, with highs in the 70s. After 2 lovely Marches in a row, I can live with that.

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Paul's Extended Twin Cities Forecast

SATURDAY: Rain likely, few T-storms nearby. Wake up 55. High 66. Chance of precipitation 100%. Wind SE 10-20 mph.

SUNDAY: Drier and brighter. Late-day thunder? Wake up 57. High 72. Chance of precipitation 60%. Wind S 7-12 mph.

MONDAY: Mix of clouds and sun, drying out. Wake up 53. High 70. Chance of precipitation 20%. Wind NW 10-15 mph.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny and pleasant. Wake up 51. High 73. Chance of precipitation 20%. Wind S 10-15 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Lukewarm sun, stray T-shower. Wake up 55. High 76. Chance of precipitation 30%. Wind SE 8-13 mph.

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Minneapolis Weather Almanac And Sun Data
May 5th

*Length Of Day: 14 hours, 26 minutes, and 24 seconds
*Daylight GAINED Since Yesterday: 2 minutes and 37 seconds

*When do we see 15 Hours of Daylight?: May 20th (15 hours, 1 minute, 45 seconds)
*Earliest Sunrises Of The Year: June 13th-17th (5:25 AM)
*When Is The Sunset At/After 8:30 PM? May 11th (8:30 PM)

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1965: At least 7 tornadoes hit southern Minnesota. This outbreak is a preview of what would happen the next day…

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We'll continue to watch an extensive portion of the nation that'll have shower and storm chances for Cinco de Mayo Friday. Some snow may even mix in in portions of the western United States.

A couple of inches of rain could fall through Saturday across portions of the central and western United States. Several inches of snow could accumulate in the western mountain ranges.

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Thanks for checking in and have a great day!

- D.J. Kayser