Widespread, slowly moving soaker arriving

Clean the leafy debris out of your rain gauge. Rain-measuring time is approaching.

Soggy fall storm

A fall storm system from Colorado is deepening as it pushes rain into southern Minnesota Thursday morning. Rain first reached southwestern Minnesota early in the morning and has begun its slow plod northeastward.

Steady rain should reach the Twin Cities by late Thursday afternoon and should be falling on about the southern half of Minnesota by the end of the day.

We will be on the cold, northern side of the storm, so high temperatures will be colder than average. Thursday’s highs should be in the 50s just about statewide, with the Twin Cities reaching the mid-50s. The Twin Cities average high for Oct. 12 is 60 degrees.

Blustery winds will blow

A tightening pressure gradient around the storm will crank up the wind, especially Thursday night and Friday when gusts could exceed 40 mph in open areas.

Rain will continue over southern and central Minnesota Thursday night, Friday and Friday night as the trudging storm spins over the state before diminishing early Saturday.

How much rain?

This storm will drop significant rain on about the southern two-thirds of Minnesota. It won’t break the drought completely, but it certainly will help soil moisture and lift the rivers and lakes. Little rain will fall on the far north, however.

Most of Minnesota south of a line from Fargo-Moorhead east to Duluth is likely to pick at least an inch of rain. Some areas across the southern half of the state will get 2 inches or more. Southwestern Minnesota near the Buffalo Ridge could be targeted with 3-plus inches.

Snow!

I knew that word would get your attention. A winter storm warning has been issued for the northern and central Black Hills of western South Dakota including Lead and Deadwood for 6 to 12 inches of snow and winds gusting to 45 mph for Thursday and Thursday night.