By DJ Kayser, filling in for Douglas:
Have you been enjoying the recent burst of summertime heat and humidity across the region? The past week has been a good reminder that summer isn't over just yet — even as the start of the State Fair looms next week and back-to-school sales dominate the stores.
Monday marked the 17th day so far this year with a high of 90-plus in the Twin Cities, and we have quickly climbed above the average of 13 days for the entire year over the past week. Meanwhile, the average temperature since June 1 has been 74.1 degrees — the 15th-warmest such period on record.
A few showers and storms will be possible across central and southern Minnesota today behind a cold front. The main story, though, will be relief from the hot weather. Highs will fall back closer to average through Thursday before another warm-up is expected toward the weekend.
Scattered storms may dot southern Minnesota late Thursday; otherwise, our next best chance of rain after that won't arrive until late in the weekend.
