Updraft: June 30, 2010 Archive

Classic Summer

Posted at 3:28 PM on June 30, 2010 by Paul Huttner

As Minnesota goes, we're going to enjoy a pretty classic summer weather pattern for the big 4th of July holiday weekend. A lot of sun, a little heat, and a scosh of rain and thunder thrown in for good measure.

Overall there will be plenty of sun and warmth this weekend. It won't be "hotter than the 4th of July" this year thankfully, but the heat and humidity will be noticeable by Friday and Saturday afternoon.

Let's break down the weekend as best we can starting on Friday for those lucky enough to have some extra time off on this biggest holiday weekend of summer.

Friday and Saturday Forecast:

Plenty of sun. Sunscreen and sunglasses required. Highs upper 80s Friday to near 90 Saturday. Wind south 15-25 mph and gusty. Expect choppy lakes this weekend. Best place to anchor, tube of water ski will be near the south shore of your favorite lake!

A stiff southerly breeze with gusts of 20 to 30 mph will blow Friday and Saturday.

There could be some scattered thunderstorms in western (and maybe central?) Minnesota with an approaching cool front late Saturday.

Synopsis:

These may be the best two days of the long weekend. Minnesota will sit on the back side of a classic summer like high pressure system centered over the Ohio Valley. THis means plenty of sun, and (at times stiff) southerly breezes pumping warm air and increasing humidity north. It will look and feel like summer.

Sunday: 4th of July Forecast

A good chance of showers and T-Storms, especially in the morning and midday. Some sun and warmer temps may move in from west to east later in the afternoon and evening. Highs in the 80s. Wind SW 5-12 mph shifting to NW late.

Synopsis:

A cool front looks like it will slide through Minnesota Sunday, just in time for the 4th. There will likely be a round or two of showers and thunderstorms with the frontal passage Sunday. Expect a 2-4 hours of rain Sunday. If the timing works out right, the front and rain MAY clear the Twin Cities area later in the afternoon. That could mean a mostly dry and improving weather picture by fireworks time. Weather toes and fingers crossed.

Monday Forecast:

Those who have the day off Monday may get some bonus weather after the front slides through on the 4th. Look for a partly cloudy day with gradually lowering humidity. The day should be mostly dry, with just a chance of a lingering (mainly PM) isolated shower or thundershower. Hopefully any rain will last under an hour if you see it on Monday.

No matter what the weather, I hope you enjoy and celebrate (responsibly) this great mid-summer 4th of July weekend!

I'll be away from the weather lab doing the same until Tuesday the 5th.

As always, you can get the laetst hour to hour forecast updates here as you plan your weekend activities.

PH