Severe risk in western MN, metro rain likely tonight
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Radars are glowing today out west as the next front pushes into Minnesota. The culprit? A low pressure wave and cold front sweeping in from the Dakotas today.
This time the weather bull's-eye favors the northern and western parts of Minnesota with this system. Scattered thunder, heavy rain and even some severe weather, including a slight tornado risk, is likely today.
Here's the read from the Grand Forks, North Dakota, National Weather Service.
The system gathers steam and aims for northeast Minnesota late today and tonight.
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Twin Cities' rain chances increase tonight, as the metro gets swiped by the tail end of the system. Ahead of the front, a warm summer-like air mass today with a mix of clouds and sun.
The severe risk is there for western and northern Minnesota today. Expect watches and a few warnings as we move through afternoon. I won't be shocked if we see an isolated tornado or two in western or northern Minnesota this afternoon.
Here's the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's experimental High Resolution Rapid Refresh future radar shot for 6 p.m. this evening.
Note the storm clusters up north dumping heavy rain, as the southern storm wave develops north and west of the metro. Scattered metro storm chances increase dramatically between about 9 p.m. and midnight.
Overall the heaviest downpours favor the northern half of Minnesota. Much of the metro may escape the heaviest rainfall tonight with totals bracketing a quarter inch by morning.
Gusty Thursday
Behind the front, a windy and cooler northwest air flow will bring wind gusts over 30 miles per hour, and whitecaps to area lakes. Here's a look at sustained winds by 5 p.m. Thursday. Gusts may top 30 mph, especially west of the metro.
Here's the breakdown of the forecast through the weekend. Overnight rain tonight gives way to a gusty, blustery and cooler Thursday. Friday looks like the pick of the next few days. We dodge more scattered downpours this weekend.
Enjoy the mild summer-like air mass today, and keep an eye out for developing storms north and west today and in the metro tonight.