Needed rain moves across Minnesota Thursday
Some storms may bring damaging winds
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A cold front moving across Minnesota is causing cooler temperatures, heavy rain and likely a few severe storms. Temperatures then remain more seasonable in the week ahead.
Thursday’s forecast
A cold front moving across Minnesota is bringing a slow-moving area of showers and storms through the state. As of 9 a.m., most of central and southwest Minnesota is seeing wet weather, which spreads across the rest of the state through the day.
Scattered severe weather is likely particularly in south-central Minnesota. Damaging winds are the most probable threat, and large hail is also possible.
However, another concern is that slow-moving storms mean areas of heavy rain and chances for localized flooding, especially in central Minnesota.
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Otherwise, the rain is very needed. The new Drought Monitor published Thursday morning shows almost half of the state is abnormally dry, and 19 percent of the state is now in a moderate drought.
For the Twin Cities, scattered showers and storms are possible throughout the day, but the highest chance for rain comes Thursday evening. The front, plus cooling from the rain, will break the recent heat and brings highs for northern and western Minnesota into 70s.
Southeastern Minnesota remains warmer, with the front and more of the rain coming in later during the day, so for that part of the state, Friday is when temperatures return closer to average for June.
Active through the weekend
The cold front clears Minnesota by early Friday. This returns dry skies and sunshine across the state, although southeastern Minnesota could see a few lingering clouds and isolated showers or storms in the morning.
Saturday is the official start of summer, and we start the new season with an active weather pattern. Occasional showers and storms are possible from Saturday through at least Tuesday, although there will be plenty of dry breaks. Highs stay seasonable, with most of the state in the 70s and low 80s from Friday through at least the middle of next week. Here is the extended Twin Cities forecast (the rain shown Friday is early in the day, then skies clear):
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You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.
