Mix of sun and clouds today; weekend warmup ahead

Today will be partly sunny and comfortable. The best chance for showers and thunderstorms is later today in northeast Minnesota.

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The National Weather Service posted this graphic of the departure from normal precipitation for June for the continental United States. More heavy rain is likely from the middle Mississippi Valley to the Tennessee Valley in the next 48 hours.

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Rainfall in June was some 3 to 8 inches above normal from the Middle Mississippi Valley on east to the Mid-Atlantic States, as denoted by the various shades of blue and purple. Closer to home, minor pockets of above- and below-normal rainfall were seen across Minnesota and Wisconsin.

If your weekend begins Friday, temperatures will be close to normal and winds will be on the light side. Not much of a breeze for sailors!

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Image:Craig Edwards MPR News

This forecast map for  4 p.m. on Friday from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Global Forecast System model paints the temperatures and the winds in knots.

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Working our way to Independence Day we are looking for high temperatures to favor outside activities, with highs in the lower to middle 80s over southwest Minnesota to the middle and upper 70s in the northeast corner of the state.

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The chance for showers and thunderstorms increases on Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. Stay tuned!

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