Brutal 4th Of July Heat Wave To Hit Twin Cities, Storms To Follow: MN Weather

ST. PAUL, MN — Hot and humid weather is building across Minnesota heading into the Fourth of July, and the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the Twin Cities metro on Friday afternoon and evening.

"Hot and humid today with the hottest temperatures in far western Minnesota," the NWS said Thursday.

Meanwhile, conditions in the metro are already uncomfortable, with sunny skies and a high near 88. Thursday night will remain warm, with a low around 74.

On Friday, the heat intensifies. The metro is expected to reach 92 degrees, with heat index values as high as 98.

Winds will also pick up, gusting up to 25 mph. "The heat will spread east on the Fourth with a Heat Advisory in effect tomorrow afternoon and evening for the Twin Cities metro," the NWS said.

Conditions remain warm and humid Friday night, with a low around 74 and a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after 1 a.m.

On Saturday, widespread showers and thunderstorms are likely. The high will be near 82, with rainfall totals between a quarter and half an inch possible. Some storms may linger into Saturday night, but skies should clear by Sunday, which will be mostly sunny with a high near 78.

With heat and storms both in the forecast, the NWS is urging caution for anyone spending time outside this weekend.

"Ensure you have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially in areas with limited cell reception," the agency said. "If you plan to be out on the lake or camping, check out shelter options before thunderstorms develop."

Here's the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:

Storms are most likely Friday night into Saturday, especially along a cold front moving across the region. The best chance for storms Thursday evening is over western Wisconsin, according to the NWS.

Today: Sunny, with a high near 88. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South southeast wind around 10 mph.

Independence Day: Sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 98. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 15 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 82. South southwest wind around 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. North wind around 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast after midnight.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 10 mph.