Forecast: Scattered storms

Posted at 8:07 AM on July 27, 2009 by Paul Huttner

Storm Prediction Center indicates a slight risk for severe storms today.

Call it a watched weather pot.

Ingredients are coming together today around eastern Minnesota and Wisconsin for a few scattered severe thunderstorms. Here are some of the weather parameters that are lining up today.

-A cool front drapes from International Falls to near Sioux Falls this morning. The front will be near a Duluth to Twin Cities line by this afternoon.

-Moisture ahead of the front will support storms. Dew points are in the 60s ahead of the front.

-The heat of the day should push temperatures well into the 80s.

-A weak upper wave will slide over the area later today. This will help trigger storms.

Put it all together and you have an unstable atmosphere this afternoon. Storms that do form will move southeast today. Storms may contain hail and high winds. An isolated tornado can't be ruled out.

The good news is some of these storms will feature heavy downpours. Some areas could pick up some much needed rainfall. I'm hoping the weather lab garden is one of those areas.

Keep an eye to the west and northwest later today.

PH

Here are some tools to track storms today:

-Twin Cities radar loop
-Storm prediction center
-Twin Cities NWS for watches and warnings

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