Chilly in the Northland; storms pummel Minnesota River Valley

Monday was a tad chilly in northeast Minnesota, with high temperatures falling to reach 60 degrees in isolated locations.  The maximum temperature in Ely an Orr was only 61.  It reached only 55 degrees at Silver Bay.  Meanwhile, portions of southern Minnesota topped 80 for the second consecutive day this June.

A complex of thunderstorms erupted overnight in western Minnesota and moved southeast.  Some locations received a good soaking. Isolated spots were hammered by hail.  One report to the National Weather Service in Chanhassen was 2.5 inch diameter hail 9 miles southeast of Wabasso in Redwood County.

More storm reports from last night as collected by the National Weather Service.

This image of the precipitation as estimated by the Doppler radar may be exaggerated by the large hail:

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radar estimated rainfall
Estimated rainfall from overnight to 630 a.m. CDT. Source;NOAA/Wunderground.com

This morning's IR satellite image captured the slowly weakening storms in south central Minnesota:

IR satellite tuesday morning
IR Satellite from 6 a.m. CDT.

Today will bring a mixture of clouds and sunshine as temperatures come up a little shy of seasonal normals:

Tuesday highs
Forecast high temperatures from the National Weather Service

A surge of much warmer and more humid air arrives later in the week:

Chanhassen weather graphic
Temperatures are predicted to climb well into the 80s on Friday

The NAM paints very warm temperatures in our neck of the woods  on Friday:

NAM forecast temperatures
NAM forecast for 1 p.m. CDT Friday. Source:NOAA/College of DuPage

By Saturday afternoon and evening the air mass is likely to be juiced up for shower and thunderstorm development.  The GFS model tends to overdo convection several days out.  But this image of predicted precipitation for Saturday afternoon gives you an idea where thunderstorms might be more likely:

GFS prediction of rain Saturday
GFS model of the rainfall potential for later Saturday. Source:NOAA/College of DuPage

Attempting to forecast precipitation several days out is difficult.  Stay tuned as we move through the week, particularly if you have big weekend plans.