Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Twin Cities, MN
Issued by NWS Twin Cities, MN
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183 FXUS63 KMPX 032351 AFDMPX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 651 PM CDT Wed Jun 3 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Late this evening and tonight...Western Minnesota could see strong to severe storms. The main threat is damaging wind. The line will dissipate as it moves into central Minnesota. - Thursday afternoon/evening...Conditional threat of storms. This depends tonight`s convection. Large hail and severe winds would be the main risks. - Friday...Storms may linger across the region, though confidence on overall coverage is low and depends on how Wednesday to Thursday plays out. - This Weekend...Dry Saturday, with small chances for rain lifting up from the south on Sunday afternoon. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 258 PM CDT Wed Jun 3 2026 Late this evening and tonight...scattered thunderstorms will move into western Minnesota, and could produce some damaging wind. The latest water vapor imagery a few subtle low-amplitude shortwaves embedded in weak southwest flow. Surface obs showed southerly winds across the region, with a highs climbing into the low 80s across the region. However, surface moisture was limited, with dewpoints in the 40s along I-35, but upper 50s across western Minnesota. This thin layer of moisture explained why the MUCAPE matched the SBCAPE in the SPC analysis, compared to a sharp decrease in the MLCAPE. A few storms were ongoing across the Dakotas, and these are expected to increase in coverage this evening. Latest guidance keeps the storms west of the MN/SD line until 8 or 9 pm, and by this time the instability will be on the downward trend. For that reason, confidence is high in scattered thunderstorms late this evening, with a few storms producing hail and wind as they enter Minnesota. These storms should transition to more of a line, but the weak wind profile and marginal thermodynamic environment suggests that storms will weaken as the move eastward. This should be a lower-end severe weather event not uncommon for early June. Thursday...Confidence is lower on Thursday, mainly due to the overnight convection and ability to for the atmosphere to recover. Once again, the wind profile is weak, and the mid level lapse rates are only 6 to 7 C/km. So the dynamic and thermodynamic environment is supportive for severe weather, but not overly favorable. The Marginal/Slight risk seems very appropriate. Local heavy downpours are also in play given the light winds, but any flooding concerns would be localized. Friday...Confidence continues to be low on Friday. Mainly due to the placement of the frontal boundary. As of now, areas along I-90, and east of I-35 have a higher chance of storms than areas to the northwest. One thing of note, the overall setup for "severe storms" is probably more favorable on Friday than any other day, due to slightly stronger winds (higher shear), and steeper mid level lapse rates (higher CAPE). However, the juxtaposition of those two is more likely across Iowa than our forecast area. Saturday and Sunday... Saturday looks dry. The frontal boundary should be southeast of the region, with a weak surface high in place. Sunday should be mostly dry as well, but that boundary will start to lift northward, so should have scattered showers and storms lifting up from the south. Looking ahead, this set up will continue into next week, with increasing temperatures, and chances for thunderstorms. In Summary, there are several chances for severe storms and heavy rain, but this is a lower-end threat that is very common for early June. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 640 PM CDT Wed Jun 3 2026 A line of thunderstorms is expected to develop across the eastern Dakotas this evening & move into western Minnesota later tonight (between 10 PM-Midnight). These storms will be weakening as the move eastwards through the night, but could still see IFR conditions & sporadic wind gusts around 30 kts for a few hours at AXN & RWF. How far east this complex of thunderstorms will make it across Minnesota before dissipating remains uncertain. The thunder potential will be waning during the overnight hours so rain showers are mostly expected STC/MKT/MSP, although a few rumbles of thunder are still possible. Precipitation chances at RNH/EAU are more unlikely. Ceilings lower overnight, & could be borderline MVFR/VFR from early tomorrow morning up until tomorrow afternoon. Winds will be southerly tonight around 10 kts with a gradual change to southwesterly through tomorrow morning. KMSP...The line of thunderstorms will be weakening, & may totally dissipate, as it reaches the metro early tomorrow morning. Main window on timing looks to be 4 AM - 7 AM, with the threat for thunder looking low by then. The precipitation forecast remains unclear through Thursday with isolated showers possible around the terminal during the late morning/early afternoon. ANother round of isolated showers & thunderstorms is possible tomorrow evening, although the odds of impacts at the terminal specifically are low. /OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/ FRI...Chc -TSRA/IFR. Wind SW 5-10 kts becoming NW. SAT...VFR. Wind NW 5-10 kts becoming NE. SUN...VFR. Wind Wind SE 10 kts. && .MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MN...None. WI...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...BED/JRB AVIATION...ETA