‘Rain bomb’ downs tree branches, dumps 2 inches of rain in Minneapolis Wednesday
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Some call them rain bombs. That’s modern jargon for the technical term wet microburst.
Whatever term you choose, one blew up right over Minneapolis Wednesday afternoon.
The isolated severe cell produced torrential rainfall. Doppler radar estimates 1 to more than 2 inches of rainfall in Minneapolis in neighborhoods just south of Interstate 94.
The storm also produced wind gusts strong enough to snap some very large tree branches. Here are some tree damage photos from around 45th Ave south around 43rd to 44th Streets.
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Wet microburst
The term rain bomb is essentially technically called a wet microburst. As an intense thunderstorm drops its dense heavy rainfall payload, it creates extreme downward momentum as the weighty rain shaft races earthward.
When it hits the ground, that momentum races outward, and gusty winds can cause damage in multiple directions along an arc.
Isolated tree damage is also reported in Mendota Heights.
Heat builds
I can’t rule out one more isolated storm Thursday afternoon around the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin. But coverage should be even less than the past few days.
Highs gradually increase through the mid-80s on Thursday and Friday.
Highs in the 90s will be common this weekend.
It looks like the first 90-degree temperature of the year will come this weekend. Remember last year? We suffered 33 days of 90-degree heat!
Stay tuned.