Puddle potential may linger into evening

Want to guarantee a wet event in Minnesota? Schedule it for early June.

This is one of the wettest weeks of the year, climatologically speaking, in Minnesota. Today proves the law of averages as multiple waves of showers crisscross the Upper Midwest.

The big question on many Minnesotans minds today, will the rain move out before the Stones show at TCF Bank Stadium tonight? It's going to be touch and go.

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Shower clusters and thunderstorms bump across Minnesota today. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's High Resolution Rapid Refresh Radar output tracks a strong cluster of storms right over the metro between 4 p.m. and at least 8 p.m. tonight.

Here's the predicted future radar shot at 7 p.m. tonight.

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NOAA

Most models predict the cluster will eventually move east of the Twin Cities urban core later this evening. One model favors a "U2 scenario" keeping heavy rain over Minneapolis through late evening.

Bottom line: It looks like a cluster of showers and thunderstorms will arrive late afternoon into evening. Highest rain chances between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. tonight.

It's going to be an hour by hour process tracking storms movement on Doppler late this afternoon. Do the Stones have a rockin' meteorologist on the road?

I might like that job!

I'll be at the Stones show tonight with the rest of you in the elements. I'm bringing the rain gear. I won't be surprised if the show is delayed an hour or two.

Lightning threat

The biggest concern at outdoor events like concerts and baseball games? Lightning strikes.

FENWAY PARK
Lightning strikes near Fenway Park in Boston. Friday, Aug. 22, 2003. delaying the start of the Red Sox game with the Seattle Mariners. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Here's all you need to know about lightning safety from NOAA.

Split forecast

You'll need to pick your spots for dry hours the next few days. Minnesota rides the occasionally showery northern edge of a slow moving frontal zone into the weekend.

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NOAA

Right now Thursday and Saturday look like the days with the most dry hours.

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Weatherspark -NOAA GFS output

Rainfall totals will vary locally, but another good soaking is on the way through this evening.

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NOAA

Summer arrives next week?

The maps look absolutely glorious for next week. Dry warm high pressure arrives on Monday of course.

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Weatherspark- Euro (ECMWF) output

Prepare for summer!