Wet and gusty weekend expected

The Northland is in for a wet weekend as a low pressure system gradually moves across the Upper Midwest.

The responsible weather system has begun to enter the Northland, with scattered showers becoming more widespread this afternoon. The system will continue to trek across central Minnesota and western Wisconsin through the weekend, reaching Lake Superior by Sunday evening.

Widespread rain will be possible through this period, then we dry out west to east Sunday night. Thunderstorms are possible, but no severe thunderstorms are expected. In northwest Minnesota, a Flood Watch is is in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday. Beltrami County is included in the Watch.

Rain accumulation in this timeframe will generally be between a half inch and an inch from areas near the Minnesota Wisconsin borer to the Head of Lake Superior and along the North Shore. Amounts drop closer to a half inch or less moving east of Hayward in northern Wisconsin and across the Iron Range in northern Minnesota. Amounts then increase to a half inch to an inch along and west of a line from Brainerd to International Falls. Minor flooding will be possible, particularly in areas with a snow pack to melt.

This system will also be responsible for a gusty wind that will be the strongest near Lake Superior. Winds will be out of the northeast through Saturday night, then shift to northwest through the day Sunday.