Mild weather gives way to soaking rain as work week begins

The mild weather prevailing across Minnesota on Sunday will give way to a system that will bring widespread, soaking rain to the region beginning early Monday and lasting through Wednesday. The heaviest rainfall is expected Monday afternoon and evening.

Widespread soaking rain Monday through Wednesday

A powerful, moisture-laden storm system will bring widespread rain to Minnesota beginning early Monday, with periods of moderate to heavy rainfall continuing into Wednesday. Most areas can expect at least an inch of rain, with totals of 1-2 inches common and locally heavier amounts of 3 inches or more possible, particularly in western and central Minnesota.

Along with the rain, winds Monday are expected to increase across southwestern Minnesota to between 25-35 mph.

There is also a low possibility of thunderstorms embedded as the system makes its way across the region, especially for central and southern Minnesota.

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has included the southern half of Minnesota in the general thunderstorm area of its convective outlooks for Monday and Tuesday, meaning thunderstorms are possible, but any that develop would not be severe in nature.

Election Day weather

If you didn’t make it to your local polling place for early voting in the midterm elections, plan to bring an umbrella with you as you go to vote either on Monday (the last day for early voting) or on Election Day on Tuesday.

Rain is expected statewide on Tuesday with a few embedded thunderstorms possible for eastern portions of the state.