Rain continues much of Wednesday

The persistent rain much of Minnesota has seen since Tuesday continues Wednesday morning, and for portions of northern Minnesota it has turned to snow.

Wednesday’s forecast

The low pressure center of the storm that has been bringing Minnesota precipitation since Tuesday is currently tracking right over southeastern Minnesota. This is funneling more moisture into the state, including a heavier band wrapping north and west of the storm center, including through the Twin Cities as of 7 a.m.

This means of the highest rainfall totals around the state so far, many are coming from the metro area:

The position of the storm also puts the state on the cooler side of the system now. 

Morning temperatures are mild for March, in the 30s, with 40s southeast, but they rise little through the day. Highs will be in the 40s for most of the state but stay in the 30s across the Arrowhead.

The slightly colder temperatures in the Arrowhead are just cool enough that the precipitation has already changed to snow and will remain mostly snow with some rain mixing in through the day. 

A few places could see over 4 inches of snow, leading to a winter weather advisory for most of the Arrowhead.

The precipitation across the state stays more persistent through Wednesday morning, winds down in the afternoon, and clears out for most of the state by the evening (some snow may linger into the evening in the Arrowhead). 

Additional rain totals will range from rain being unlikely in northwestern Minnesota up to isolated amounts of a half an inch near southeastern Minnesota.

By Thursday skies dry and sunshine returns. That extended forecast will be updated around 9:30 a.m.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.