Showers and thunderstorms are likely to continue tonight and end Saturday morning, when a serious heat wave begins.
According to the National Weather Service, west central Minnesota has a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight with temperatures in the low 70s. That will taper to a 20 percent chance Saturday morning.
Saturday afternoon, the sun will come out, and temperatures will soar into the low 90s. High dew points will lead to a heat index as high as 105 by Sunday.
Periodic heavy rain has been affecting the state for the past two nights. The Associated Press reported Friday that Douglas County had received nearly 7 inches of rain and experienced street flooding in Alexandria and Osakis.
Heavy thunderstorms in the Twin Cities halted light rail service at the Mall of America for about two hours on Friday after water collected near the station.
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The extended forecast for west central Minnesota:
Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.
Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 93.
Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 92.
Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
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Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms; mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
