Sabrina Ullman: Widespread rain late tonight into Friday

As a low-pressure system slowly enters the region, rain will move in from west to east tonight. Areas in Koochiching and Itasca Counties will start seeing rain as early as 7 pm. The Twin Ports will have showers starting at 1 am, and by the time we get to morning rush hour, there will be rain throughout the Northland.

Showers will take a brief break midday Friday before another round enters the area. Rain is likely to continue in some areas until early Saturday. Total accumulations tonight into early Saturday will be mostly 0.25-0.75” with localized higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. There is a risk of severe thunderstorms Friday afternoon into the evening, with large hail and damaging winds being a concern.

We do have more chances of rain ahead. Showers are likely Sunday, and we could have rain Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday as well.

Although we are finally getting widespread rain, we need several rounds of decent accumulation to help with the ongoing drought conditions. Tonight/tomorrow’s rain is not expected to be a drought buster by any means. Conditions will likely continue to worsen in the foreseeable future.

Tonight

A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Low around 55. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 68. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday

A slight chance of showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday

Showers likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday

A chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Breezy, with a north wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday

A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday

A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.