A mid and upper-level trough lingered over the upper Midwest into central Canada today, with the flow aloft coming from the WNW. It’s a bit of a “dirty” NW flow, meaning it doesn’t take much to spark a few showers or thunderstorms if there’s enough instability and moisture—both of which we have today and will see again on Monday.
The scattered showers and thunderstorms that popped up over parts of the Northland today should fade away tonight.
While most areas will stay dry on Monday, there’s still a chance for a few showers and storms, especially later in the afternoon and evening.
Radar loop ending around 5:40 PM Sunday, May 24, 2026.
While most of the Northland stayed dry today, a few areas did get a few passing showers and thunderstorms with brief downpours.
The black-outlined areas on the map show where heavy downpours hit this afternoon, with radar estimating a quarter to half an inch or more of rain in very localized spots.
Goes-19 water vapor loop ending 5 PM CT Sunday, May 24, 2026.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 11 PM tonight for southwest Minnesota, southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and northeast Nebraska, with the potential for strong storms producing up to golf ball-sized hail (1.75 inches) and wind gusts up to 65 mph.
Note: No severe weather is expected tonight in northeast Minnesota or northwest Wisconsin.
Temperatures warmed up across the area today, climbing into the 70s and low 80s, though it stayed cooler near Lake Superior thanks to a lingering lake breeze, which hasn’t been as strong as in recent days.
Highs on Monday are expected to range from the mid-70s to mid-80s in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, with cooler temps possible closer to Lake Superior.
…Record highs for May 25…
- Brainerd, MN: 90 set in 2018
- Ashland, WI: 89 set in 1914
- Duluth, MN: 89 set in 2018
- International Falls, MN: 88 set in 1919
- Hibbing, MN: 87 set in 2010
Starting Tuesday, a stronger northeast wind will likely bring even cooler conditions near the lake for the rest of the week, keeping temperatures in the 40s and 50s mid to late week. Meanwhile, much warmer weather in the 70s and 80s will persist farther inland through most of the week.
This month in Duluth, many days have hovered in the 40s and 50s, which wouldn’t be bad for March or April, but feels a bit chilly for May.
So far this month, there have been 3 days with highs of at least 70 degrees (the May average is 6 days) and 1 day with a high of at least 80 degrees (the May average is 2 days).
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