Brandon Weatherz: Scattered showers today into tomorrow

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A system crossing the Northland today will be responsible for a wind shift, cooler temps, and some needed moisture. The cold front is pulling wildfire smoke to the surface which has allowed the Air Quality Alert to be extended to all Minnesota counties until 6 am Friday. Sensitive groups should limit time outside. Smoke is expected to improve overnight into early Friday morning.

A line of showers and isolated thunderstorms starts in north central Minnesota this morning. This marches east across the Arrowhead and northwest Wisconsin through the morning and afternoon. A second round of showers arrives from the northwest in the late afternoon and sweeps the region through the evening and overnight. Friday will feature lingering rain that will be most widespread in the morning. Spotty showers linger in the afternoon, mostly in northwest Wisconsin. Most areas pick up a good quarter inch of rain through Friday, including the Twin Ports. Parts of the Arrowhead and northwest Wisconsin could pick up more than a half inch. Expect higher amounts in thunderstorms. High pressure clears skies from the west Friday and sticks around for a sunny weekend.

Yesterday’s cool lake breeze will be replaced by a west wind as the front passes today. Highs will generally be in the 60s. Lows will be in low to mid-40s tonight. Friday remains cooler with highs ranging from near 50 by Butternut to 65 near International Falls. Temps rebound nicely on Saturday with highs in the 70s across the region. Temps in the region remain near to above average through the middle of next week with surface winds determining how far the cool lake air will extend.

Today: Cloudy with scattered showers. High 62. SW wind 5-15 mph. Chance of rain: 80%

Tonight: Cloudy and breezy with scattered showers. Low 43. WNW wind10-15 mph. Chance of rain: 60%

Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy with a chance for showers in the morning. High 57. NNW wind 10-20 mph. Chance for rain: 30%

Saturday: Sunny and breezy. High 70. W wind 10-15 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High 56. E wind 10-20 mph.

Monday: Partly cloudy. High 63. SE wind 5-15 mph.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 74. SSW wind 10-15 mph.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy and breezy. High 65. E wind 10-15 mph.