Minneapolis-St. Paul breaks another heat record, but relief is coming

Minnesotans were enduring a second straight day of dangerous heat on Wednesday, joining millions in the nation's midsection placed under weather warnings as temperatures take another shot at reaching the century mark.

A few places in the state had topped 100 degrees as of 4 p.m., all in southeastern Minnesota: Winona set a new record for the day at 104 around that time, Austin baked in 102-degree heat, and Preston hit 100 even, according to the National Weather Service.

The Twin Cities broke the daily record for Aug. 23, reaching 98 degrees Wednesday afternoon at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The previous record was 97 degrees set in 1948.

The metro did not break the all-time record of 108 degrees. Even Winona's 104 did not break its all-time record of 108.

The heat indexes were higher; in St. Paul, it felt like 110 degrees, according to the Weather Service.

An excessive heat warning, covering an area from St. Cloud to the Iowa border and extending into western Wisconsin, remained in effect until 10 p.m. as high humidity combined with the near-record temps threatened to keep the heat index over 100 degrees.

A less-dangerous heat advisory follows, for the period from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 7 p.m. Thursday, when a slight cool-down is expected to begin. By Saturday, highs in the metro will drop into more seasonable 70s, the Weather Service said.

People venturing outside Wednesday were warned to take precautions.

"Limit outdoor activity. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid drinking alcohol. Wear light-colored clothing," the Weather Service said. "Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities."

The Twin Cities set two records Tuesday. The high temperature of 98 degrees broke the old record of 97 that had stood since 1971, and the dewpoint hit a record 79 degrees at 9 p.m., shattering the previous record of 75 degrees set in 1968, the Minnesota Climatology Office said. The sauna-like feel was a result of the dewpoint, which is the measurement of moisture in the air.

Heat index numbers — summer's version of wind chill — soared to near record highs, too, state climatologists said. The 114-degree heat index in the Twin Cities was the highest reading of the year, and the highest since July 2019. The highest heat index Tuesday in Minnesota was 119 degrees in Princeton, the Weather Service said.

Kenny Blumenfeld, a senior climatologist, said the 114-degree heat index reading was likely the fifth-highest in the metro area since 1945. That data has not been tracked as closely as other weather phenomena, so it's difficult to determine actual records.

But nobody needed a number to feel the sultry conditions Tuesday, or during Wednesday's repeat. It drove multitudes to area pools and lakes in an effort to keep cool.

Local governments and nonprofits were offering resources for people in need of a spot to cool down. Hennepin County provided an online map of cooling options, which included its 41 libraries, and the Salvation Army offered its service centers in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Brooklyn Park.

As of Wednesday morning, few people had sought treatment for heat-related illnesses at HCMC, said spokeswoman Christine Hill. "Just two to three patients since Sunday," she said.

The Weather Service noted that the extreme heat may also lead to buckling roads, though as of Wednesday morning none had been reported, said Anne Meyer, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. MnDOT had crews on standby should the pavement pop, she added.

Meyer said she was feeling the swampy conditions Wednesday as she helped set up the agency's booth at the Minnesota State Fair, which opens Thursday.

"I'm sweating like the dickens," she said. "It's not comfortable."

Staff writer Louis Krauss contributed to this report.