Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

7 inches of rain up north. Flood warnings continue

More than a month's worth of rain fell Tuesday in northern Minnesota

north shore flooding at Tettegouche
Water rushes over the High Falls at Tettegouche State Park on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, after heavy rains. High water also damaged a suspension bridge at the park.
Andrew Krueger | MPR News

The flood zone across northern Minnesota from Tuesday’s deluge is massive.

water rushes over a waterfall
Water rushes over Gooseberry Falls on the North Shore Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Water levels are high after heavy rains fell in northeast Minnesota. Some areas of the Arrowhead reported receiving 6 inches or more of rain Tuesday night.
Andrew Krueger | MPR News

Numerous roads are closed across northern Minnesota, including Highway 1 near Isabella. That’s a critical link between Ely and the North Shore.

flooding
Flooding in northeast Minnesota.
Duluth National Weather Service

More than a month’s worth of rain fell from the Iron Range through Ely, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, to the North Shore. A wide area of 4 inches to more than 7 inches of rain fell in this area Tuesday and Tuesday night.

Here are some updated rainfall reports through early Wednesday afternoon. Keep in mind the monthly rainfall normal for June is between 4 and 5 inches for most of Minnesota.

  • Tower — 7.60 inches

  • Wales — 7.33 inches (north of Two Harbors)

  • Marble — 7.30 inches (Iron Range)

  • Silver Bay — 6.02 inches

  • Lutsen — 5.44 inches

  • Chisholm — 5.38 inches

  • Finland — 5.32 inches

  • Tofte — 5.30 inches

  • Winton — 4.5 inches

  • Corss Lake — 4.38 inches

  • Sawebill Lake area — 4.05 inches

Rainfall totals
Rainfall totals.
CoCoRaHS

Raging rivers

Tuesday’s torrential rainfall spiked rivers into flood stage along the North Shore.

north shore flooding at Tettegouche
Water rushes over the High Falls at Tettegouche State Park on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, after heavy rains. High water also damaged a suspension bridge at the park.
Andrew Krueger | MPR News

Check out the gauge at the Baptism River at Beaver Bay, which spiked more than 7 feet Tuesday!

Baptism River
Baptism River near Beaver Bay.
NOAA

Flood warnings continue into Thursday for much of northern Minnesota.

Lake MN-St. Louis MN-

208 PM CDT Wed Jun 19 2024

...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues.

* WHERE...In Minnesota, west-central and northern Lake County and much of central to far northeastern St. Louis County.

* WHEN...Until 400 PM CDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is occurring. Numerous roads remain closed due to flooding. Previously passable roads may now be flooded as rivers continue to rise and will crest in the next 12 to 24 hours. *

ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 201 PM CDT Wednesday, Doppler radar, observers and law enforcement indicated heavy rain and flooding due to thunderstorms on Tuesday. Flooding is already occurring in the warned area. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain have fallen. - Additional rainfall is possible in the warned area Thursday through this upcoming weekend, which may aggravate the ongoing flooding problems.

- Some locations that will experience flooding include... Ely, Virginia, Eveleth, Mountain Iron, Hoyt Lakes, Gilbert, Aurora, Babbitt, Biwabik, Cherry, Embarrass, Winton, Birch Lake, White Iron Lake, Bear Head Lake State Park, Robinson, Burntside Lake, Fall Lake, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Near Trout Lake and Basswood Lake. - Rises are expected on area rivers and streams through Thursday. This includes the Kawishiwi and South Kawishiwi rivers.

Heavy rain again Friday and Saturday

We’re catching a break in the heavy rain across Minnesota. But the next waves of heavy rain may arrive Friday and Saturday. Another 1 to 2 inches of rain looks possible.

More rain Friday
More rain Friday and Saturday.
Duluth National Weather Service

Right now forecast models show a drying trend starting Sunday that could last well into next week.

Not a moment too soon.