MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | WEATHER ALERT! Dangerous Heat Grips Twin Cities as Temperatures and Humidity Push Health Risks Higher

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (July 14, 2026) A prolonged stretch of dangerous heat is gripping the Twin Cities, bringing afternoon temperatures in the 90s, high humidity and heat-index readings that could approach 100 degrees through Thursday.

The combination of intense daytime heat and limited overnight relief can place significant strain on the body, particularly when exposure continues for several days.

Older adults, infants, pregnant people, outdoor workers, people with chronic medical conditions and residents without reliable air conditioning face an elevated risk of heat-related illness. People experiencing homelessness may also have few opportunities to escape the heat.

Several Days of Heat Increase the Danger

Heat can become especially dangerous when warm nighttime temperatures prevent homes and bodies from cooling down. Residents without air conditioning should consider spending the hottest portion of the day in a public cooling location, library, community center or other air-conditioned building.

Hennepin County maintains an interactive map of cooling locations throughout the county.

Residents should also check on relatives and neighbors who are older, live alone or may not recognize that they are becoming ill.

Outdoor exercise and physically demanding work should be limited during the hottest part of the day, generally between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Anyone who must work outside should take frequent breaks, drink water regularly and move into shade or air conditioning whenever possible.

Recognizing Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion can produce symptoms including:

• Headache or lightheadedness
• Heavy sweating with cool or pale skin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Fatigue or weakness

A person showing these symptoms should be moved to a cooler place and given cool water or a sports drink. Emergency help should be requested if the symptoms last longer than one hour or become more severe.

Heat Stroke Is a Medical Emergency

Heat stroke can cause confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, vomiting, very hot skin or a core body temperature of 104 degrees or higher.

Anyone suspected of suffering heat stroke needs immediate emergency assistance. Call 911, move the person into shade or air conditioning and begin cooling them with cold water or ice packs while waiting for help.

Do not leave children, vulnerable adults or animals inside a parked vehicle, even briefly. A vehicle’s interior temperature can rise rapidly despite partially opened windows.

Smoke Could Compound the Problem

Wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota may also create air-quality concerns during the week. Smoke can be particularly difficult for children, older adults and people living with asthma, heart disease or other respiratory conditions.

Residents should follow updated air-quality information and reduce strenuous outdoor activity if smoke reaches the Twin Cities.

The heat is expected to remain the dominant weather concern through Thursday, with only limited relief anticipated before the weekend.

Sources: City of Bloomington heat-safety guidance and Minnesota heat and smoke outlook.

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