Heavy rain brings relief to drought areas
Storms and occasional severe weather continue through midweek
Hot and humid weather continues through the week, and showers and storms will stay widespread through at least Wednesday. While heavy rain is causing flash flooding concerns, in some parts of Minnesota the precipitation has been very beneficial.
Northeastern Minnesota, which has seen drought expand in recent weeks, got some much-needed rain Sunday evening.
To put the rain in perspective, the .95 inch of rain at Duluth International Airport was the heaviest rain recorded there so far this year. That one-day total was also more rain than Duluth saw in the entire month of May or June.
Monday’s forecast
Monday started warm, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s, and it stays warm and muggy through the day, with most of the state seeing highs in the 80s.
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Unstable weather has already produced showers and storms across Minnesota since Sunday evening, including areas of heavy rain, and widespread rain continues Monday morning in southern parts of the state.
A cold front moving across the state will not bring much temperature relief to Minnesota but will serve as added instability to cause potential severe weather.
Although scattered storms are possible through all but perhaps northwestern Minnesota, storms are most likely across southern Minnesota, where the front sits by Monday afternoon and evening.
Hail and damaging winds are the biggest threat, however isolated tornadoes are possible.
Storms continue
The weather remains very active through midweek, with more showers and storms, severe weather, and heavy rain likely through late Wednesday.
For Tuesday, storm activity during the day becomes a bit spottier, but showers and storms move into northeastern Minnesota Tuesday evening, bringing another severe weather risk.
Showers and storms then move across Minnesota Wednesday, shifting the severe risk throughout central Minnesota.
Much of Minnesota can expect to see at least an inch of rain from Monday through Wednesday, with locally higher amounts with heavy rainstorms.
Flash flooding could also occur in areas that see heavy rain, but the rain also brings needed precipitation to drought areas in central through northeastern Minnesota.
After Wednesday night, the chance for storms lessens the second half of the week, although there will still be enough heat and instability for occasional active weather.
No break in the heat
Temperatures remain above average the entire week, with highs in the 80s and 90s, and it will remain very humid. There is no break in the near future either, as next week is also likely to remain warmer than average.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.