Much needed weekend rainfall; frosty in the Northland this morning

As predicted in the Updraft blog on Friday afternoon, welcome rain fell on the parched landscape in central and southern  Minnesota into west central Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon through Saturday night.

Saturday precipitation
Rainfall from Saturday morning through Sunday morning.

St. Cloud measured more than an inch and a quarter rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning. The total precipitation for the month of August at St. Cloud was only 0.85 inches!

Around the Twin Cities metro, rainfall amounts ranged from a half inch to as much as an inch in Lakeville.

Frosty conditions greeted early morning risers from the north metro to northern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.  Temperatures, shortly before daybreak were in the upper 20s in the Arrowhead region. It was 39 degrees at Blaine at 6 a.m.

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In my backyard, in the valley of Eden Prairie, my thermometer recorded 35 degrees this morning -- a great example of the micro-climate of cool air pooling in low areas during calm conditions.

The infrared satellite image from the  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration this morning depicts the warmer waters of the lakes in the darker shade of gray.

Regional IR satellite
Source:NOAA

 

Minnesota surface map
Weather map from 6 a.m. CDT showing the temperatures in red. Source:NOAA

A nice day is in store.  Indeed, autumn-like temperatures.

Duluth weather graphic
Weather story from the Duluth NWS Office.

Showers and thunderstorms, specifically lightning, caused an hour delay in the football game in Seattle last evening. The NCAA and the NFL have established lightning safety policy for both the fans and the players.

Seattle, Wa radar
Screen capture of radar on Sunday evening from Seattle. Source:Wunderground.com

Hurricane Ingrid is expected to move into northern Mexico in the next 24 hours, resulting in locally heavy rainfall.  Maximum winds are around 75 mph. You can track the tropical storm through the National Hurricane Center's website.

Showers could return to our region on Tuesday night and Wednesday.  Rainfall amounts are not expected to be particularly generous in our neck of the woods.

Three day rainfall potential
Three day rainfall potentila ending at 7 a.m. CDT Wednesday.

Much warmer temperatures are in store for Wednesday as we experience the push of a milder air through the Plains states.  A cool front is likely to arrive for the weekend.

Wednesday's high temperatures
High temperatures expected on Wednesday.

The transition to autumn is underway. Enjoy the splendor of the season.