By Paul Walsh

Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

It might be just a number, but when it begins with a “9” in Minnesota, it’s worth noting the first time it pops up on thermometers in the Twin Cities.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting a high of 91 degrees for Tuesday. If that reading is realized sometime this afternoon, it will be the metro area’s first time in the 90s since a high of 91 on July 21, 2014.

And should the Twin Cities top 91, that will be a first since a high of 92 on Sept. 6, 2013.

The metro will only dip its toe into the heat wave, however.

The Weather Service is calling for highs back in the 70s for the rest of the week, with varying chances of rain and thunderstorms starting tonight and lasting all the way until Saturday.

Thursday offers the best chance of precipitation, and the rain could be heavy, the NWS reports.

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