Justin Liles: Heavy rain takes aim on northern Minnesota

The big weather story is now the arrival of heavy rain set to begin late tonight. A warm front will lift north from southwest and bring rain. The low has attached to will take its sweet time moving through the Northland. Wet weather will fall through the weekend. Heavy rain may lead to flash flooding, ponding of water in low-lying areas, and/or minor washouts, especially in areas likely to see the most rain like the Iron Range to the International Border and through the Arrowhead.

These areas could see 2-3” or more of rain. Rivers and streams are currently at or below normal levels and most not expected to rise to impactful levels at this time. If thunderstorms move over the same areas for an extended period, some river flooding will be possible. Severe weather is not expected through Thursday night but an isolated severe storm is possible Friday over parts of northern Wisconsin and east-central Minnesota.

Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 58. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Breezy, with an east wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.