Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

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Our May rainfall total is 1.40 inches below normal at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. It has been a drier than normal May across most of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Rain is on the way, and some areas will see soaking rains Saturday evening into Sunday.  There may be some thunderstorms in the mix late Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening into the overnight hours.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale (NAM) forecast model shows the potential rain pattern Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening:

You can hear updated weather information on the MPR 

, and you’ll see updated weather info on the MPR News 

Weekend rain totals are expected to be highest in portions of southern Minnesota, the southeast part of the Twin Cities metro area and parts of western Wisconsin. Here’s the NWS weekend rainfall forecast:

I expect most of the 7-county Twin Cities metro area to be in the 1.5 inch to 2.5 inch range for weekend rainfall, with the heaviest rain in the metro area late Saturday evening and overnight.

Here’s a closer look at potential weekend rainfall totals in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin:

NOAA’s NAM model shows some areas with 4 inches or more of rain this weekend near the southeast corner of the Twin Cities metro area and a bit to the east and southeast:

We’ll see if everything comes together as indicated on the NAM model.

Our average Twin Cities high temp is 69 degrees on May 16. Parts of the Twin Cities metro area could reach 70 degrees this Saturday. Many spots in Minnesota and western Wisconsin will have Saturday highs in the 60s, but far northwestern Minnesota and far southeastern Minnesota could top 70. Winds will be a bit gusty at times Saturday afternoon and evening. As always, higher wind gusts can be expected near any thunderstorms that develop.

Sunday highs may be in the 50s in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin:

We have a shot at 60 degrees in the Twin Cities Sunday afternoon. Parts of northwestern Minnesota may reach the lower 70s.

Sunday wind gusts could reach 20-26 mph at times:

Plotted gusts are in knots, with 21 knots equal to 24 mph. 

If you prefer summery weather, hang in there. Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to reach the lower 70s Monday, followed by upper 70s Tuesday and lower 80s Wednesday. We could see highs in the mid 80s Thursday and upper 80s on Friday. 

You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.:

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Ron Trenda

Author

This May has been unusually dry in much of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Many areas will see some soaking rains this weekend. We have details on who is expected to see the highest rain totals, and when the rain is expected to fall.

Weekend rain totals may top 2 inches in some areas; update on the timing of the rain

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