Forecast: Saturday soaker

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The weather maps are finally starting to look more like June.

Our wettest month of the year appears ready to deliver a much needed soaking rain to southern Minnesota. And, of course, it's coming on the weekend.

A strong low pressure wave will track through southern Minnesota and northern Iowa Saturday. This system has plenty of moisture and cool rain producing air to work with. In fact, temperatures Saturday may not climb out of the 50s in southern Minnesota including the metro. There will also be a raw east wind at 10-20 mph.

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Rainfall amounts appear to be significant. Forecast models are cranking out anywhere from .75" to over an inch for southern Minnesota and the metro. It appears the bulk of the rain will occur during the day on Saturday. Rain may begin in the metro Saturday morning, and last most of the day. The first wave may move out late Saturday bringing and end to the rain by Saturday evening.

Sunday appears right now to be the better day of the weekend. Clouds may break for some sunny hours, and rain chances will be much less. We may see a mostly dry but cool Sunday with highs in the 60s in the metro.

The next wave due in on Monday may be even stronger. This strong upper level low has the potential to produce even more rain in parts of the state. Computer ensembles are hinting at over 2 inches with this system for some areas of the state.

The rainfall comes at a critical time. Drought conditions have deepened in much of central and southern Minnesota with some areas over 3 inches below average rainfall since April 1st.

This is a big weekend for high school graduation parties in Minnesota. If you picked Sunday you should be OK holding your party outdoors. If you picked Saturday, well, you won't be the first family to hold a graduation party in your garage.

Good luck whatever your plans are this weekend. Embrace the rainfall; we need every drop we can get!

PH