Drought no more; warming up through the weekend
We have journeyed through dry spells and have dealt with excessive rain. There is no doubt about erasing the drought in our neck of the woods.
A little more than a year ago, drought conditions covered nearly every part of Minnesota.
Even a few weeks ago, moderate drought conditions remained in parts of southwest Minnesota.
Now, the state is drought free.
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One would think we should be due for a dry spell. Summer time showers and thunderstorms are expected to be scattered about the state as warmer and more humid air returns for the weekend.
Warmer temperatures are possible in western Minnesota on the weekend. This forecast graphic is provided by the National Weather Service in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
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It was a rather chilly night across the Minnesota landscape. At daybreak temperatures were mostly in the 40s and 50s. Hibbing reported 42 degrees, while Little Falls checked in with 46 degrees.
High temperatures on Wednesday were about ten degrees below the 30-year normal. Somewhat milder temperatures are on tap. Look for highs generally in the 70s.
It remains a challenge to pin down the location that has the best chance for showers and thunderstorms Friday night through Sunday. For now, the forecast for scattered showers hangs in the range of 30 to 40 percent. More refinement will be forthcoming.
If we catch a break precipitation might be more likely in the darkness hours.
Temperatures are likely to heat up for Saturday with highs climbing to near normal, in the lower 80s.
Cloud cover will affect just how much temperatures warm Saturday afternoon.
There is a chance that sunshine and a strong push of warmer air from the Plains could nudge the thermometer toward 90 degrees, particularly in western Minnesota on Sunday. This may set the stage for strong thunderstorms in the afternoon.
The National Hurricane Center continues to track Hurricane Arthur. The strongest winds and heaviest rainfall may remain off the coast.
Here's a look at the probabilities of hurricane-force winds released by the Hurricane Center.
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's satellite captured the coldest cloud tops on the infrared image this morning.
Another view of the storm cloud swirl from the visible satellite image around 6:30 a.m.
The weather forecast for the nation is highlighted by the track of Arthur.
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