Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Twin Cities, MN
Issued by NWS Twin Cities, MN
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501 FXUS63 KMPX 052056 AFDMPX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 356 PM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Chances for thunderstorms Saturday & Sunday morning across western Minnesota. - More widespread rainfall possible Monday into Tuesday, though areas across northern MN are favored for heaviest amounts. - More seasonable airmass arrives for the rest of the week after Tuesday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 335 PM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026 TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY...After some morning stratus, skies have started to clear out so have a mix of sun and clouds across the region. Where skies were clear, temperatures were in the mid to upper 80s, but where the clouds lingered, temperatures were in the upper 70s to lower 80s. For the rest of the day, expect dry conditions with light winds. Later tonight, expect scattered thunderstorms to develop across the eastern Dakotas into western MN on the leading edge of some H850 theta_e advection. These should weaken as they approach the forecast area, but additional development is expected in the afternoon and evening along the axis of instability across western MN. These storms could produce gusty winds and hail, and the Marginal Risk (1 out of 5) remains across western Minnesota. These storms should weaken as they move east, so not anticipating them to cross the I-35 corridor. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...On Monday, a potent upper level wave will kick across the High Plains, and bring widespread precipitation across international border closer to the surface low. A trailing cold front south of this low will pass through the region, and this should bring precipitation to most locations from Monday into Tuesday morning. But given the timing, the storms will probably be at their weakest and moving fairly quick, so not anticipating soaking rains. A few of the strongest storms could produce damaging winds or large hail, and SPC maintains the marginal risk. Rain will exit the region Tuesday morning, and any redevelopment later in the day should be to the east across Wisconsin. On Wednesday, breezy west winds of 25 to 30 mph will develop in the wake of the cold front. Highs will only be in the 70s. Looking ahead, there are small chances for storms later in the week and next weekend. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/... Issued at 106 PM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026 Persistent stratus has started to show signs of breaking up, so have a one or two more hours of MVFR Cigs in the TAFs, and then expect VFR conditions the rest of the afternoon and evening. Overnight, forecast guidance has started back off a bit on overnight storms, keeping them across western and southwest Minnesota, so updated the TAFs to reflect those trends. KMSP... Skies beginning to lift and break up, so expect just an hour or two of MVFR ceilings before VFR conditions settle in for the rest of the TAF period. Overnight and Sunday, the chance for thunderstorms has decrease, so have a Prob30 for VFR -shra, and did not mention thunder in the TAFs. /OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/ MON...VFR with Chc SHRA/MVFR. Wind SE 10-15kts. TUE...SHRA/MVFR likely with chc TSRA, mainly in the morning. Clearing late. Wind S 10-15kts becoming W. WED...VFR. Wind W 15G25kts. && .MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MN...None. WI...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...JRB AVIATION...JRB