Brandon Weatherz: Abundant sunshine today, heating up tomorrow

We can thank an area of high pressure for abundant sunshine and lighter winds today. Our Thursday begins with refreshingly cool temps in 40s and 50s, then we rise to mid-70s to low 80s. Winds gradually develop out of the south as the center of the high moves toward eastern Lake Superior. The south wind directs cool lake air along the North Shore, and begins to send warmer air into the region. This translates to a milder night with lows in mid-50s to mid-60s looking east to west across the Northland.

By Friday, warmth and humidity will become widespread. A breezy south wind continues to limit temperatures along the North Shore. Meanwhile, highs range from mid-80s to near 90 for the rest of the region. Skies will be sunny to start with clouds increasing ahead of rain chances. A cold front approaching northwest Minnesota will allow shower and thunderstorm chances to reach into north central Minnesota. More widespread wet conditions arrive Friday night. This front will be a slow mover, keeping shower and thunderstorm chances with us through the weekend. Heavy rain will be possible mostly in northeast Minnesota Friday night, then the Twin Ports will be on the northern edge of heavy rain concerns Saturday into Sunday.

Today: Mostly sunny. High 77. W wind becoming SE 2-8.

Tonight: Clear. Low 59. SE wind 2-8 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, warm and breezy. High 85. S wind 10-15 mph.

Friday night: Becoming cloudy with scattered showers. Low 67. SW wind 5-15 mph.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a chance for showers. High 76. NW wind 5-10 mph.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy and breezy with a chance for showers. High 65. E wind 10-15 mph.

Monday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance for showers. High 71. E wind becoming NW 5-10 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High 76. SW wind 5-15 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High 78. SW wind 5-15 mph.