Scattered showers linger on Thursday; update on Hurricane Franklin
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Periods of rain are expected Wednesday night over much of Minnesota, and some spots will see thunderstorms.
The Storm Prediction Center of the National Weather Service shows a marginal risk of severe weather Wednesday evening and overnight Wednesday night over western Minnesota:
If any severe weather warnings are issued, you can hear them on the Minnesota Public Radio network.
You will also read about any watches or warnings on the MPR News live weather blog.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Thursday rain chance
Scattered showers are possible over Minnesota on Thursday, and an isolated thunderstorm could also pop up in the afternoon.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's North American Mesoscale forecast model shows the potential rain pattern on Thursday:
The color chart to the right of the loop refers to the strength of the signal that returns to the radar, not to the amount of rain.
The loop shows the general pattern of rainfall, but it will probably rain in some spots that look dry in the forecast loop.
Temperature trends
Highs will be in the 70s for much of Minnesota on Thursday, but the northeast will see mostly 60s:
70s will be common on Friday:
Mid to upper 70s are expected in the Twin Cities metro area this weekend.
Hurricane Franklin
Tropical Storm Franklin became a hurricane Wednesday afternoon.
This is how Franklin looked from above:
Hurricane Franklin is moving toward the coast of Mexico.
Here's an update on Hurricane Franklin, from the National Hurricane Center:
BULLETIN
Hurricane Franklin Intermediate Advisory Number 13A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL072017
700 PM CDT Wed Aug 09 2017
...STRENGTHENING HURRICANE FRANKLIN HEADING FOR THE COAST OF
MEXICO...
...WEATHER SHOULD BEGIN TO DETERIORATE SOON...
SUMMARY OF 700 PM CDT...0000 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...20.2N 95.4W
ABOUT 135 MI...220 KM ESE OF TUXPAN MEXICO
ABOUT 90 MI...140 KM NE OF VERACRUZ MEXICO
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 270 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...983 MB...29.03 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
None.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* The coast of Mexico from Puerto de Veracruz to Cabo Rojo
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* The coast of Mexico north of Cabo Rojo to Rio Panuco
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* The coast of Mexico south of Puerto de Veracruz to Puerto Dos
Bocas
* The coast of Mexico north of Cabo Rojo to Barra del Tordo
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and
property should be rushed to completion.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area.
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products
issued by your national meteorological service.
DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
At 700 PM CDT (0000 UTC), the center of Hurricane Franklin was
located near latitude 20.2 North, longitude 95.4 West. Franklin
is moving toward the west near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this general
motion is expected to continue for the next day or so. On the
forecast track, the center of Franklin is expected to cross the
coast of the Mexican state of Veracruz later tonight or early
Thursday.
An Air Force plane is approaching the hurricane and preliminary
reports indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased
to near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. Some additional
strengthening is expected until the center crosses the coast. Rapid
weakening is expected after landfall in Mexico.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140
miles (220 km).
The estimated minimum central pressure just reported by an Air Force
plane was 983 mb (29.03 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
RAINFALL: Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches with isolated maximum
amounts of 15 inches are possible across the Mexican states of
Tabasco, northern Veracruz, northern Puebla, Tlaxacala, Hidalgo,
Queretar and eastern San Luis Potosi in eastern Mexico. These rains
will be capable of producing life-threatening flash floods and
mudslides.
WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected to reach the coast within
the Hurricane Warning area tonight. Preparations to protect life
and property should be rushed to completion.
Tropical storm conditions are expected across portions of the
Tropical Storm Warning area along the southern shore of the Bay of
Campeche through tonight. Hurricane conditions are possible within
the Hurricane Watch area tonight. Tropical storm conditions are
expected within the Tropical Storm Warning area in eastern Mexico by
this evening.
STORM SURGE: A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by
as much as 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels along the
immediate coast near and to the north of where the center makes
landfall in the Hurricane Warning area. Near the coast, the
surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
Franklin's projected path looks like this:
The National Hurricane Center will issue updates on Franklin every few hours.
Busy hurricane season?
NOAA has updated its hurricane season outlook:
In Wednesday's update, NOAA notes that this could be the most active hurricane season since 2010:
Today NOAA issued the scheduled update for its 2017 hurricane season outlook. Forecasters are now predicting a higher likelihood of an above-normal season, and they increased the predicted number of named storms and major hurricanes. The season has the potential to be extremely active, and could be the most active since 2010.
Forecasters now say there is a 60-percent chance of an above-normal season (compared to the May prediction of 45 percent chance), with 14-19 named storms (increased from the May predicted range of 11-17) and 2-5 major hurricanes (increased from the May predicted range of 2-4). A prediction for 5-9 hurricanes remains unchanged from the initial May outlook.
According to NOAA:
In just the first nine weeks of this season there have been six named storms, which is half the number of storms during an average six-month season and double the number of storms that would typically form by early August. An average Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1-November 30, produces 12 named storms, of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.
Of course, we don't know if any hurricanes will hit the U.S. this season.
Forecasters will continue to watching tropical weather patterns closely in the coming weeks and months.