An extreme heat warning remains in effect for southern Minnesota through 8 p.m. Monday. Severe storms are possible late Monday. Temperatures will cool throughout the week.

Very warm and humid Monday with heavy to severe storms late in the evening

It will be another steamy day Monday. Highs will be in the low to mid 90s again across southern Minnesota, with some of the highest dew points of the summer — well into the 70s.

That combination of heat and high dew points will produce dangerous heat index values ​​of above 38 degrees Celsius this afternoon and evening.

After the heat comes the risk of severe to strong thunderstorms. Storms are likely to develop in the eastern Dakotas late Monday afternoon and evening and move east. There could be multiple rounds of storms Monday night. Some showers will linger into Tuesday morning.

There is an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) of severe weather in southern Minnesota starting Monday evening through Monday night.

The greatest threats for most of southern Minnesota will be damaging winds and large hail. Early storms could bring a tornado threat, primarily from eastern South Dakota to southwestern Minnesota.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s High Resolution Rapid Refresh forecast model shows this potential for damaging wind gusts. Red and yellow outlines are strong wind gusts through late Monday night:

The limiting factor for today’s severe weather potential will be a strong inversion or layer of very warm air in the air that prevents air from rising. The thinking today is that the cold front in the west will provide enough strength to break through this layer and produce storms.

In addition to the serious threat, there will be widespread rainfall of 2.5 to 5 centimeters. Locally, more rain is possible until Tuesday morning.

Tuesday will be cooler, but still warmer than normal. Temperatures in the south will usually be around 27 degrees Celsius and in the north around 21 degrees Celsius.

Another cool front will bring another chance of rain and lower temperatures Wednesday night into Thursday. Highs will be mostly in the 70s on Thursday and Friday.

The forecast for the next 6 to 10 days calls for lower than normal temperatures and less than normal precipitation: