Rain increases in southern Minnesota today

Radars are lighting up today in southern Minnesota with April showers.

While the rainfall totals may not be as heavy as previously advertised by forecast models, there may be enough to wet down streets, lawns and fields today. Latest indications and model forecast cluster rainfall totals for the metro and much of southern Minnesota around .25" or so.

Forecast models painting rainfall amounts today ranging between .25" and .50" for the metro.

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The rainfall comes at a critical time. Fire danger has been running high this spring. The rainfall will help reduce the threat, even if temporarily until things can green up with the growth of new grasses.

There is a risk for severe weather southward into Illinois. One round of severe thuderstorms raced through the Chicago metro area this morning.

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL

732 AM CDT TUE APR 06 2010

..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...

..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....

..REMARKS..

0725 AM HAIL BATAVIA 41.85N 88.30W

04/06/2010 M1.75 INCH KANE IL TRAINED SPOTTER

1 INCH TO GOLFBALL SIZED HAIL

Here are some resources to keep track of today's weather system.

-Sioux Falls radar loop

-Twin Cities radar loop

-La Crosse radar loop

-Storm Prediction Center

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