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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Now that we're sufficiently soaked, the rain is departing soon from Minneapolis - expect some lingering mist/drizzle not picked up by radar after but accumulating rain should be done soon. #mnwx

Radar view showing large blob of rain moving just east of Minneapolis and St Paul

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Our next soaker in the Twin Cities is incoming, expect rain within the next hour for much of the region. #mnwx

An active radar map with a line of heavy rain moving toward Minneapolis

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Also almost forgot I got to try out a @mcbl.bike Bunch bike while having a sucker, super cool!

Me riding a cargo bike while eating a sucker.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Lots of people at Nicollet Open Streets despite the rain! So fun, especially because we normally are on a bike a block away so so many businesses we forget exist without this.

View looking south on Nicollet with lots of people filling the street and rain.

Me wearing a tiny flamingo inflatable hat.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Looks like maybe first round of rain could pass early (incoming) and a break in rain follows for Nicollet Open Streets. Fingers crossed. #mnwx

Band of rain approaching Minneapolis on radar at 952am.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Unfortunately iffy weather for Nicollet Open Streets tomorrow. Looks like spotty showers closer to the beginning (morning through 11ish) and then more organized showers trying to edge in. Slow moving, so possibly with some luck they hold off until afternoon. #mnwx

Future radar around noon Saturday showing rain really close to or over Minneapolis.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Some light rain or sprinkles possible over the next couple of hours as some dying rain showers move north. It's a race against time for them - but either way another cool and damp day. Quite a shift from our intensely hot summer. #mnwx

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Looks like a mega soaker coming to the Twin Cities and much of Minnesota by morning, lasting through/into Friday night. Look for some totals of 1-2+ inches of rain by the end! #mnwx

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

It seems that we get rain again in Minneapolis, enjoy! #mnwx

Rain on radar very close to Minneapolis, with more on the way

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I don't think this round of storms will survive the storm shield. Expect a wet day and night with an inch or more of rain in the Twin Cities. #mnwx

Radar view of southern and Eastern Minnesota with imminent rain on radar

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

There's another maybe in the forecast for rain tonight as a cold front passes over Minneapolis. Earlier models showed another storm shield split, but this newer 3km NAM shows a chance around 10pm or so. #mnwx

Future radar view showing the state of Minnesota with forecasted possible rain over Minneapolis-Saint Paul

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Looking for rain? There's a *chance* heading into tonight/tomorrow morning. Best chance looks to come right around 6-7 a.m. tomorrow morning. If we're lucky we could DOUBLE our August precip so far (.2" still) on the higher end. #MNWX

Future radar showing rain arriving around 6-7 a.m. across eastern MN.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Since we last had a big rain (0.26") at MSP on July 8, we've had a total of 0.4" of rain. Much of Minnesota is now in a severe drought. #mnwx

Drought monitor map from August 20th showing Northeast Minnesota and much of East Central Minnesota in a severe drought

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

There's a chance of rain! We'll see if it holds but it's closing in on the Twin Cities. #mnwx

Blob of rain on radar moving toward twin cities

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

This evening *could* bring us rain. It looks like a broken line of showers/storms will come through (meaning not a sure bet of rain) mid-evening. Be on the lookout if you're walking/biking, but know that there's also a chance rain misses us again. #MNWX

Future radar view showing storms in MN, but also some areas with no storms

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Looks like the Minneapolis Storm Shield was activitated for tonight. Maybe one of these tiny specks of storms west of the Twin Cities will survive and thrive as it moves east? #mnwx

Radar view of much of Minnesota showing a large gap in a north to south oriented line of storms surrounding the Twin Cities metro area up to St Cloud

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

More rain coming, this time it's with the cold front that'll dry things out after. #mnwx

Broken line of storms headed toward Minneapolis and St Paul on radar at 11:38 a.m.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Maybe the storm shield is down today. More spits of rain heading toward the Twin Cities. #mnwx

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Looks like the little whisp of rain survived, so expect some very light rain earlier:

Light rain showing up on radar just west of Minneapolis at 9:04 a.m.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Will it or won't it? We have another *chance* of rain late morning to afternoon as a cool front passes through the Twin Cities. I wouldn't count on it, but models are more positive this morning than yesterday! #mnwx

Radar view showing storms near Northern Minnesota and a small pocket a couple hours West of Minneapolis

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

This might be my favorite promotional email subject line ever. I better act quickly!

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

You can't make this up - private prison reopening to partner with ICE in MN, and the CEO has "swindle" as his literal last name. www.startribune.com/appleton-pri...

Once the facility is up and running, CoreCivic says it expects to generate $75 million in annual revenue.

In a statement, Patrick D. Swindle, CoreCivic’s CEO, said the company made recent repairs to the Appleton prison to prepare for a new contract. Contractors have been working at the prison since last fall.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

There is a CHANCE of rain tonight. It'd be while most of us are sleeping (around 3am,+/-), so let's hope for the best. #mnwx

Radar view showing moderate to heavy rain in northern Minnesota and later showers in West Central Minnesota in West Central Minnesota

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Some VERY welcome rain across what recently had become drought conditions in Minnesota. Hopefully we get more someday soon (not any good chances in the forecast at this moment). #mnwx

Map of Minnesota showing precipitation reports which in central Minnesota and southeast Minnesota ended up near the half inch to 1 in or higher totals

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Finally getting rain across Minnesota! Observations at MSP airport are really piling up with around an inch so far. #mnwx

A list of hourly weather observations from MSP Airport, with lots of rain per hour showing up

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

The dewpoint got up to 81° at MSP this morning, yikes! This image is pulled from the National Weather Service Twin Cities office. Luckily, thankfully, a wind shift brings drier air in later today. #mnwx

Image of text that says MSP recorded a dew point of 81 degrees Fahrenheit this morning the all-time record is 82° and we had only spent 28 hours above 80 before today ever.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Fun fun! More extreme heat on the way to Minneapolis/St. Paul. Enjoy today's moderate temps and breeze - Exteme Heat Warning kicks in Saturday through Sunday night, with a definitely chance of that being extended. That'll mean heat index (feels like) temps around 100 degrees. #MNWX

Long term forecast showing 90s for highs after today and through at least Tuesday.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Overnight storms? Maybe. The storms showing up on radar over the Dakotas, if they survive, could wake us up overnight. #mnwx

Radar showing storms over southern North Dakota and beyond

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

A few lucky folks in the Twin Cities might get some rain! A weak cold front coming through has some isolated storms popping up. #mnwx

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Good news (sort of) - looking at short-term surface smoke forecasts, looks like smoke could move out by as early as 6-7 a.m. tomorrow morning if things hold.

Showing the forecasted near surface smoke density at 6:00 a.m. Friday , which shows a departing scary looking purple shaded batch of smoke

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Also, just an aside as I worry about all the camps, towns, and just everything burning in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, I pulled up pictures from a huge trip we did in 2021, a 50 or so mile loop that now has more than half of it burning. These are scenes from Bear Trap and Finger Lakes.

Two men looking at a fire just after Sunset along the lake

A very detailed map is laid out on a flat granite rock in front of the lake

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Air quality is so, so bad. It's so hot. It hits harder when it's your favorite place in the world burning that is producing that smoke.

Map of air quality showing numbers off the chart and extremely hazardous

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Latest short term computer models show near-surface smoke (bad, smoky air) holding off in Twin Cities until late afternoon/early evening now, thankfully. Enjoy these smoke-free hours as then there's an air quality advisory until Friday morning. #mnwx FYI, @jesselorenz.bsky.social

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I don't have a go to AQI forecast site but does anyone reading this? Looking at forecast surface smoke modeling it holds off intense smoke until 10am or later BUT I would plan on earlier just in case. Especially if biking or running.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Some of the larger fires near or in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area are being picked up by Duluth radar. The one right on the border with the strongest signal. #mnwx

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Tomorrow we get the rare smoke + heat combination, as our beloved Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness burns. It's a nightmare - but I wanted to talk air quality. Winds Wed. will be light, thankfully from the west/northwest at first, so smoke/low AQI would build in later in day. #MNWX

Graph showing a lot of numbers on a chart, but temperatures maxing out in the middle 90s on Wednesday on one and winds from the NW at 5-6mph Wednesday afternoon on another, which would/could bring in smoke from northern Minnesota.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

A massive ball of hot air is sitting aloft above Minnesota right now - helping bump temps even hotter in northern MN and lower Canada than the Twin Cities. See this map of temps roughly 1 mile in the atmosphere with temps 25-30°C (77-86°F), which translates to another 18ish degrees at surface. #MNWX

Temperature map from Monday at 850mb, showing a wedge of hot air over lower canada and northern MN, and cooler temps closer to the north pole.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Ready. Set. Go. is such a frightening (and important) concept for MN. From the @startribune.com: "The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office has implemented its Ready. Set. Go. Notification system in the northern part of the county..." www.iafc.org/topics-and-t...

Residents warned to be ready to evacuate if needed
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office has implemented its Ready. Set. Go. Notification system in the northern part of the county to notify residents and property owners to keep up with the current wildfire situation and disseminate alerts for the need to evacuate if the situation rises to that level.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, properties near the Marion Creek, Echo 2, Sioux, Beaver Tail and Coffin fires were at an orange level, meaning "prepare to leave at short notice," the message read.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is closed due to extreme heat and fire threats (and fires). Wow

A lot of text explaining that due to extreme fire conditions The Boundary Waters canoe area permits for this week are canceled either today through Friday if you are paddling or tomorrow through Friday with the motor permit

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

If we do end up with storms overnight, most likely they'll be affiliated with these in eastern South Dakota. #mnwx

Strong thunderstorms showing up on radar in South Dakota

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Just on the off chance these storms grow - it's worth noting that we're near the slight risk zone of a severe storm, with likely forms around here based on wind profiles + more being high wind and/or hail. #MNWX

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE NORTHERN
HIGH PLAINS INTO MINNESOTA....

CORRECTED FOR THUNDER LINES

...SUMMARY...
Widely scattered to scattered severe storms capable of large hail
and severe wind gusts are possible from the northern High Plains
into parts of the Upper Midwest today into tonight. Isolated severe
storms capable of mainly damaging wind gusts are possible this
afternoon and evening from the southern Mid-Atlantic into the
Carolinas, the Sabine River Valley, parts of the Great Basin, and
southeast Arizona.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Our next round of rain chances is closing in - we'll see what happens, but it's quite humid and should be enough energy for storms to make it. Would be likely early evening/late afternoon. #MNWX

Line of storms over Stearns and Kandiyohi counties moving east on radar.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Brainerd and much of northern MN getting slammed by a severe thunderstorm. Not anticipating it to survive through to the Twin Cities but there's a chance - more likely is it dies or significantly weakens and arrives very late tonight. #mnwx

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Flash flooding could be an issue right now around the Twin Cities. Be cautious if you are out and about. So much rain and very little movement.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Those storms have moved slightly closer, now NW suburbs. #mnwx

Storms in the nw suburbs of Minneapolis on radar.

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Pretty active with slow-moving storms. Hopefully it clears up in time for Red, White, and Boom downtown. In the meantime it'll be a bit before storms arrive and we can fuel the Minneapolis Storm Shield. #mnwx

A vivid radar image with storms North Northwest and west of Minneapolis

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Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer @ashafferwx.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Some pop-up thunderstorms possible today and this evening. Not a sure thing in any place, but they'll be out there across Minnesota and the Twin Cities. #mnwx

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