Hopeful signs for much needed Minnesota rainfall over the next 10 days
Much cooler temps, a couple inches of rain possible through next week

Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
We need rain.
Our run of record warmth in a parched atmosphere has greatly increased fire danger across Minnesota. The explosive fires in northeastern Minnesota have consumed more than 20,000 acres as of early Tuesday.
Thankfully, the forecast models are strongly suggesting two main soaking rainfall events over the next 10 days. It may not be enough to quench the whole state, but many areas could see at least a couple inches of rain through next week.
The first system spins through Thursday with scattered showers and some thunderstorms.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.

Forecast models track another possible rainmaker through Minnesota in the middle of next week.

Forecast models vary as usual on the precise coverage and magnitude of rainfall through the next 10 days. On the map below, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts model lays the heaviest rainfall across central and southern Minnesota.

The European weather agency’s Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System model cranks out around 3 inches of rainfall through next week:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s oft-maligned Global Forecast System model shows another solution:

There’s no way to be precise about where 2 to 3 inches of rain could fall through next week, but the signal is there for meaningful soaking rainfall for much of Minnesota in the next 10 days. That’s good news for farmers and for residents and firefighters in the wildfire zone.
Stay tuned.