Brandon Weatherz: Heat and sunshine repeats

Our Wednesday will shape up to be like what we saw yesterday with heat, humidity, and sunshine. Highs inland reach mid-80s to low 90s and dew points rise to mid-60s. Drier and cooler air will hug the shorelines of Lake Superior. Tonight is mostly clear and mild with lows once again in 50s and 60s. Thursday will be another hot day with highs in mid-80s to low 90s, and lake influence on temps should be more limited.

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. until 9 pm Thursday. Sensitive groups should limit outdoor exertion over the next three days as the hot and sunny weather continues.

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 hail Saturday.

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

Tonight: Mostly clear. Low 55. E 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow: Partly cloudy. High 85. SSE wind 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow night: Becoming mostly cloudy with a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms. Low 59. E wind 2-8 mph.

Friday: Increasing clouds with a chance for showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 79. SE wind 5-10 mph. Chance of rain: 40%

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 5-15 mph. Chance of rain: 60%

Monday: Mostly cloudy and breezy with a chance for showers. High 71. N wind 10-15 mph. Chance of rain: 40%

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 73. NE wind 5-10 mph.