Burnsville Festival Friday Weather: Warm, Windy Friday With Storms Possible Later
Friday Forecast, September 11, 2026
Published: September 11, 2026
BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA: Visitors heading to the Burnsville Festival and Fire Muster Friday evening should expect warm, largely dry conditions, though gusty winds may be a factor throughout the event, and the chance of showers will gradually increase later in the evening.
For Friday at the Burnsville Festival, festival food vendors and the main stage beer tent are from 5 to 11 p.m.; Family Fun Zone and Kidz Korner are from 5 to 8 p.m., with live music from 6 to 11 p.m. and a special 25th anniversary 9/11 drone show from 9:30 to 9:45 p.m. Additional activities are happening during that timeframe; you can learn more here: Burnsville Festival - Friday Schedule.
While portions of Minnesota face a risk of severe thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening, the greatest threat is expected to remain north of I-94, particularly across western and northern Minnesota. Storm development farther south into the Twin Cities metro, including Burnsville, appears less likely. Still, anyone attending the festival should keep monitoring the weather throughout the evening, especially as rain chances increase later tonight.
Warm, Windy Friday
By around 5 p.m., temperatures will be around 82 to 83 degrees under partly cloudy skies. While rain is not expected at this time, strong southerly winds will be noticeable. Sustained winds around 18 to 20 mph could gust as high as 35 to 36 mph. Those winds may be the most immediate weather concern for festival organizers, vendors and attendees.
Conditions should remain favorable during the live music, between 6 and 9 p.m., with temperatures gradually falling from the lower 80s into the upper 70s. Rain chances remain very low through much of that period, ranging from essentially zero early in the evening to around 9% by 9 p.m. Southerly winds will continue around 15 to 19 mph, however, with gusts potentially reaching 31 to 36 mph.
For most festivalgoers, that means a warm and breezy evening with little need to worry about rain during the first several hours of the event.
Weather and the 9/11 Drone Show
Weather conditions become somewhat more uncertain around the festival's 25th-anniversary 9/11 drone show, scheduled for 9:30 to 9:45 p.m. Temperatures should be around 75 degrees with partly cloudy skies. Rain chances increase to approximately 21% to 26% during this period, meaning a shower is possible but remains far from certain.
Winds are forecast to ease somewhat, but sustained southerly winds of 15 to 16 mph and gusts near 31 mph could remain. Those winds may be particularly important for the drone show. According to the Burnsville Festival drone show page, the goal for launch time is around 9:30 p.m., but weather and winds could affect it.
Festivalgoers should watch for any schedule announcements from organizers if winds or changing weather conditions affect the show.
Rain Chances Increase Late Friday Evening
After 10 p.m., the chance for rain begins to increase more noticeably. Rain chances could climb from approximately 26% around 10 p.m. to around 40% by 11 p.m., while temperatures fall into the low-to-mid 70s. Any rain reaching Burnsville before the festival ends is currently expected to be relatively light, with rainfall amounts generally less than one-tenth of an inch.
The timing and location of any showers or thunderstorms will depend heavily on how convection develops to the west-northwest of the Twin Cities Friday afternoon and evening.
Burnsville Severe Risk
While there is a Slight Risk (2/5) for areas west and north of the Twin Cities for today, Burnsville's risk is considerably lower. The latest forecast guidance shows a stronger capping and weaker forcing south of I-94, making thunderstorm development less likely across the southern Twin Cities metro during the main festival hours. That does not mean the possibility is zero.
Storms developing west and northwest of the Twin Cities could survive as they move east, and rain chances increase later Friday evening to reflect that, but much of this activity appears to weaken as it approaches. An isolated threat remains, mostly for gusty winds and a lightning hazard, regardless of whether it becomes severe.
Burnsville Festival - FRIDAY Weather at a Glance
5–6 p.m. — Festival opens: Around 82–83°F, partly cloudy and dry. South winds 18–20 mph with gusts approaching 35–36 mph.
6–9 p.m. — Live music: Temperatures fall from around 82°F into the upper 70s. Mostly dry, with rain chances remaining below 10%. Gusty south winds continue.
9:30–9:45 p.m. — 25th anniversary 9/11 drone show: Around 75°F. Approximately 21–26% chance of rain. South winds around 15–16 mph with gusts near 31 mph. Monitoring wind conditions closely for drone operations.
10–11 p.m. — Late evening: Temperatures fall into the low-to-mid 70s as rain chances increase to approximately 26–40%. Light rain becomes increasingly possible toward the end of the festival.
Overall, the forecast remains relatively favorable for Friday night's Burnsville Festival, especially during the first several hours. The biggest weather concern for most of the event will be the persistent wind rather than thunderstorms, with gusts potentially exceeding 30 mph. Conditions become somewhat less certain around and after the drone show as rain chances increase.
Anyone attending should watch updated forecasts and be prepared to seek shelter if thunderstorms unexpectedly approach the area. Lightning can pose a danger well outside the portion of a storm producing heavy rain.
