A strong area of high pressure over Canada and a robust Colorado low will become the two main players tonight and Friday. Heavy rain is expected across northern Minnesota and Wisconsin from tonight through Saturday morning. A swath of rainfall of 1-2+ inches is forecast, with localized amounts up to 4 inches possible. This will lead to an increased threat of flash flooding.

Heading into tonight and Friday, strong gusty winds take over off the lake, dropping the regional temperatures, especially by the lake, where mid-50s are possible by Saturday. Because of the winds bringing in much cooler air from the heavier lake and by far denser air, any advancement of the warm front is expected Thursday night into Friday. This could lead to some localized flooding along the front as it could become stuck, and rain will continue over the same areas. The biggest threat for flooding will be in east central Minnesota and west central Wisconsin from Brainerd to Hayward. High pressure through the weekend with the next chance of rain and thunderstorms, possibly severe, early next week. Temperatures are expected to climb and get humid next week too.

TONIGHT
Showers, mainly after 3am. Low around 44. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph
FRIDAY
Showers, mainly before 4pm. High near 53. Breezy, with an east wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
SATURDAY
A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
SUNDAY
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
MONDAY
A chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
TUESDAY
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
WEDNESDAY
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
THURSDAY
A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.