Heat Advisory Issued For Twin Cities Metro And Beyond: MN Weather

TWIN CITIES, MN — The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory over central Minnesota lasting from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 8 p.m. Thursday.

Wednesday's high is 94, and heat index values around 100 degrees are expected.

Counties included in the advisory include Sherburne, Isanti, Chisago, Meeker, Wright, Hennepin, Anoka, Ramsey, Washington, Renville, McLeod, Sibley, Carver, Scott, Dakota, Redwood, Brown, Nicollet, Le Sueur, Blue Earth, St. Croix, and Pierce.

Overnight lows Wednesday into Thursday will only drop into the 70s, providing a tiny window for cooling relief, the National Weather Service said.

Air Quality Alert

On top of the heat, Minnesotans should prepare for another day of subpar air quality. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an alert lasting through 9 p.m. Thursday.

The Air Quality Index is expected to reach "Orange," indicating that the air is "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

Recommendations

"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the National Weather Service said.

"Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside."

Officials recommend rescheduling strenuous activities to early morning or evening. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.

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

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 9am. Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny and hot, with a high near 94. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast after midnight. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. East northeast wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North northeast wind around 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South southeast wind around 10 mph.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South southeast wind around 10 mph becoming east after midnight.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 10 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon.