Brandon Weatherz: Hot and sunny stretch ahead

A toasty Tuesday is on tap with inland areas rising to mid-80s to low 90s. It will also be sunny and muggy with dew points in the 60s. An east wind will keep cooler and drier air along the shorelines. Temperatures in the heat of the day could vary by 20-30 degrees within a few miles in the Twin Ports based on how close you are to Lake Superior.

The heat and sunshine will allow for high ground-level ozone that will affect air quality, mostly along and south of a line from Brainerd to Hinckley. An Air Quality Alert is in effect for Cass, Crow Wing, Aitkin, and Pine Co. from 12 pm Tuesday until 9 pm Thursday. Sensitive groups should limit outdoor exertion over the next three days as the hot and sunny weather continues.

The dry air and warm temps will allow for near-critical fire weather for much of northeast Minnesota today. Shower and thunderstorm chances return from the west to north central Minnesota Thursday afternoon and evening. A more widespread round arrives Friday. Periods of rain will then take us through a wet weekend that could bring some much-needed moisture. Rain may be heavy at times. There isn’t a widespread severe weather threat at this time, but some storms may produce small hail Saturday.

Today: Sunny. High 84. SE wind 5-15 mph.

Tonight: Clear. Low 54. E wind 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow: Sunny. High 83. SE wind 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow night: Mostly clear. Low 55. E 5-10 mph.

Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 85. SE wind 5-10 mph.

Friday: Increasing clouds with a chance for showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 81. E wind 5-10 mph. Chance of rain: 30%

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms. High 73. E wind 10-15 mph. Chance of rain: 50%

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. High 69. E wind 10-15 mph. Chance of rain: 60%

Monday: Mostly cloudy with a chance for showers in the morning. High 71. N wind 10-15 mph. Chance of rain: 30%