Record Heat to End Tuesday With Thunderstorms and an Air Quality Alert

(KNSI) — The National Weather Service says even with several runs of 90 degrees or more, summer 2023 for St. Cloud was only slightly above average for temperatures.

The observed average temperature was 70.8 degrees which was about average, but 2.9 degrees above normal. The area also saw seven inches of rain, which is 4.35 inches below normal. August was also warmer than usual, but wetter than normal. The average observed temperature was 70.6 degrees, 2.9 degrees above average. The official rainfall total for the month was 4.5 inches, a half an inch above normal.

The most recent heat wave did tie a record in St. Cloud on Sunday at 96 degrees. It’s the fourth time that temp has been seen on that day, but the last was almost 100 years ago, in 1929. Monday’s high temp was two degrees short of a record, with the mercury hitting 96. The record was 98.

The heat will come to an end later Tuesday as the area is at a slight risk for severe thunderstorms. The main threats with this system will be wind and hail. The timing for storms will be between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. A cold front is marching across the state, bringing with it north/northwesterly winds and cool Canadian air. After a projected high of 90 degrees Tuesday afternoon, we will struggle to get out of the 60s Wednesday and will see highs in the 70s through the remainder of the week.

Along with the change in wind direction will come wildfire smoke out of Canada. An air quality alert has been issued for several counties to the northwest of St. Cloud.

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