Justin Liles: Canadian wildfire smoke returns Thursday.

A fast-moving cold front has started to work its way south across the international border. Stronger storms are likely later this afternoon or early this evening. Isolated to scattered severe storms are possible. The main threats from the storms are wind gusts up to 70 mph, hail to the size of ping pong balls, and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning. There is a secondary threat of a tornado and torrential rainfall. There is an ample amount of moisture to work with an unstable environment to make this a busy evening between 3pm and 10pm this evening, beginning up north.

After the cold front passes tonight, northwesterly flow is expected to bring smoke into Minnesota from Canadian wildfires on Thursday. MPCA is currently forecasting Red (Unhealthy for All) levels of air quality for Thursday over northern Minnesota.

Heat and humidity return for the weekend. Conditions in central to southern Minnesota and Wisconsin will likely see heat advisories or warnings. Many parts of the Northland may see record breaking heat as temperatures rise into the upper 80s and low 90s.

Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms this evening. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 57. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Thursday
Widespread haze after 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Breezy, with a northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy, with a south wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 88. Breezy, with a west wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 81. Breezy, with a northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Breezy, with a southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.