This could be the day that the Twin Cities finally reaches 80 degrees. If the Metro area reaches 80 degrees today it will be the first 80 degreed day since October 7, 2007 when it was 82 degrees. Usually by now ( mid May ) the Metro area has seen at least two +80 degree days.

Here is a look at the first +80 degree day in the past few years:

2007.....81 degrees...March 26
2006.....84 degrees...April 13
2005.....81 degrees...April 18
2004.....88 degrees...April 18

Scattered thunderstorms are possible today in northern and central Minnesota as a cold front drops south from Canada. Spotty thunderstorms will develop around noon in northwestern Minnesota and then move southeast with the south-bound moving cold front. The threat for thunderstorms will not be high but people should anticipate the potential in northern and central Minnesota during the afternoon and southern Minnesota during the evening. Isolated thunderstorms are possible today in the Twin Cities between 5 P.M. and 10 P.M. The threat for thunderstorms will diminish after sunset.

The other weather factors today across Minnesota will be the warm temperatures and windy conditions. Highs today will be near 80 degrees in western and southern Minnesota this afternoon and in the 60s and 70s in the northern part of the state. Winds will be gusty from the Northwest up to 35 mph in northwestern Minnesota and from the West up to 25 mph in central and southern Minnesota.

It will be cooler statewide on Saturday and some isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The rest of the state will have sunny to partly cloudy skies with gusty Northwest winds up to 25 mph during the afternoon hours. Highs on Saturday will range from the low 50s in northeastern Minnesota to the low 70s in southern Minnesota.

Sunny to partly cloudy statewide on Sunday with highs in the low 50s in the northeastern part of the state to near 70 degrees in the south - winds will be lighter on Sunday.

Twin Cities Metro Area Forecast for today Friday May 16, 2008: Sunny to partly cloudy, breezy and warm with a chance for isolated thunderstorms between 5 P.M. and 10 P.M. - nothing heavy or long lasting expected and the best chance for thunderstorms will be north and west of the Metro. High temperatures today will be in the upper 70s to near 80 degrees with West winds at 10 to 20 mph. Isolated thunderstorms possible through the early evening otherwise partly cloudy with lows in the low 50s and winds from the Northwest at 7 to 14 mph.

** The UV Index today is 7, which is HIGH, meaning you can sunburn in 20 minutes in the noon sun with out sun block.

Sunny to partly cloudy, windy and cooler on Saturday in the Metro with a chance for some isolated showers and thunderstorms - highs will be near 70 degrees with Northwest winds at 11 to 22 mph. Clear skies Saturday night with lows in the upper 40s and winds from the Northwest at 4 to 8 mph.

Twin Cities Metro Area Extended Outlook Sunday through Tuesday: Sunny to partly cloudy on Sunday with lighter winds - highs in the upper 60s. Partly to mostly cloudy on Monday with scattered showers and thunderstorms - highs in the upper 60s. Cloudy Tuesday morning with scattered showers and thunderstorms then becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon - highs in the upper 60s. The average high for the extended period is 71 degrees.

Twin Cities Metro Area Climate Data for today Friday April 25, 2008
Average high....70
Average low.....49
Record high.....94 set in 1934
Record low......31 set in 1929
Sunrise:......5:43 A.M.
Sunset:.......8:37 P.M.
Daylight Hours...14 hours and 54 minutes.

** Possible Flight Delays Today across the United States. Click on this link FAA Flight Delays from the Federal Aviation Administration to view the status of airport delays around the United States. For more information regarding an airport delay click on the dot next to the city.

**Click here WeatherPlus Video Forecast from KARE for the latest local and national weather video on WeatherPlus.

Watch KARE 11 at 5, 6 and 10 P.M. for all the latest weather updates and information. Have a great weekend!

Jonathan Yuhas KARE 11 5/16/2008 9:15 A.M.