Sun today; rain tomorrow

Posted at 8:31 AM on September 30, 2009 by Paul Huttner

NOAA rainfall forecast highlights 1" to 2"+ rainfall amounts for southern Minnesota by Saturday.

I'll be cleaning those gutters at the Huttner Weather Lab today.

After a light touch of frost in the metro suburbs this morning look for a return to sunshine and milder temperatures this afternoon. The dry day will be the last before a much needed soaker sets up Thursday.

The next weather system will bring a rain shield into southern Minnesota overnight tonight and should reach the metro by early Thursday morning. This system looks like it may feature a persistent band of rain centered over southern Minnesota including the metro area. The rain may last in some areas from Thursday morning right into Friday.

As the system tracks east through Iowa, it will have the opportunity to tap moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and wring it out over Minnesota. Rainfall could exceed one inch in much of the area, and some gauges may be brimming with over 2 inches by Saturday morning.

It appears the heaviest bands of rain should set up from the Twin Cities south into southern Minnesota. There may be a sharp drop off in rainfall amounts on the northern edge of the system as you approach St. Cloud and Hinckley.

The rain will be welcome for most area in the region. The Twin Cities is running 2.16" below average on rainfall since September 1st. In addition to the remarkable warmth, this will go down as one of the driest Septembers on record for many locations in Minnesota. Trees and shrubs are stressed from a summer of drought, and a good soaking rain now will be beneficial in recharging soils and plants.

PH

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