Updraft: May 26, 2012 Archive

Saturday storms clearing; Sunday heat on tap

Posted at 12:17 PM on May 26, 2012 by Hart Van Denburg
Filed under: Severe weather

MPR meteorolgist Bill Endersen writes:

Thunderstorms with heavy rain have been zipping across the metro area and much of the southern half of Minnesota this morning. The strongest storms have been tracking south of the metro from Redwood Falls to Mankato to Red Wing. Some of these storms likely contain small hail but significant severe weather is not likely.

Morning rainfall amounts are likely to exceed one inch across the southern metro with lesser amounts to the north. My rain gauge has picked up almost six-tenths of an inch as the rain tapers off.

For the metro area, it looks as though the storms should clear out in time for a mostly pleasant Saturday afternoon. And the Twins-Tigers game is likely to be a go at Target Field.

Some severe storms are possible across southern to central Minnesota later today although the morning weather might put enough of a cap on the atmosphere to impede strong development. If severe storms develop later today the main risk will be of damaging hail.

Soil saturation from the continuing rains might lead to some localized flooding.

Sunday continues to look like a hot, fairly steamy day with growing thunderstorms advancing eastward across Minnesota during the day. Strong to severe storms with damaging winds are possible Sunday, especially in the evening in eastern Minnesota and then into western Wisconsin.

Sunday heat could usher in strong thunderstorms by afternoon

Posted at 9:50 PM on May 26, 2012 by Hart Van Denburg
Filed under: Severe weather

MPR meteorologist Bill Endersen writes:

The east-west warm front that spent Saturday in Iowa will lift slowly into Minnesota overnight. Expect widespread low clouds, light rain, drizzle and some scattered showers and maybe thunderstorms during the dark hours. Some rainfall could become heavy well after sunset. Severe weather with hail is a possibility but not terribly likely.

Sunday: The warm front will lift northward through the metro area Sunday morning. Behind it a hot and muggy wind from the south-southeast will develop by late morning. Expect high temperatures in the low 90s and dew points well into the 60's across the southern half of Minnesota. It will be much cooler across northern Minnesota beyond the reaches of the warm front. Duluth, Grand Rapids and Ely will have highs just in the 60s. In between, Brainerd should reach about 80.

Strong thunderstorms will develop across western Minnesota Sunday afternoon and spread into the eastern part of the state by late afternoon or evening. An advancing cold front from the west will give these storms an energy boost, so the combination heat, moisture, cold front and upper level support are likely to create severe storms. So expect severe weather Watches and Warnings beginning in the afternoon. The most likely time for severe weather in the metro area will be after about 5 p.m.

Memorial Day: Monday looks a pleasant day. After a slight chance of an early-morning shower, expect fair weather with cooler temperatures and a breeze that will become gusty from the west by afternoon.