Iowa assessing the damage; a touch of autumn in Minn.
As we turn the calendar to July, we perhaps might feel like a couple of pages got stuck together because it will feel more like September today.
Considerable cloud cover accompanied by brisk winds are likely over the region today. Scattered showers and isolated thundershowers can also be expected.
The simulated radar reflectivity from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model for 4 p.m. paints the main cluster of showers in eastern Minnesota and west central Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Des Moines, Iowa, will be attempting to survey the damage which resulted from mostly straight line winds on Monday.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Iowa's preliminary damage reports can be found here.
NOAA's infrared satellite image nicely captured the explosive thunderstorms; displaying the very cold cloud tops in the brighter colors
The damage track of strong winds extended into the Chicago area with 80 miles per hour winds reported in the western suburbs. Chicago area storm reports can be search here.
Traversing the landscape through Iowa, Illinois and Indiana on Friday, I noticed the corn was nearly shoulder high. They've had great growing weather. Unfortunately this storm, with heavy rain, hail and damaging winds will take its toll.
Winds will be stiff today from the west and northwest, but not as strong in parts of northeast Minnesota.
After a rather chilly overnight, temperatures warm slightly on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday should be comfortable with a goodly amount of sunshine. A push of warmer air on Independence Day sets the atmosphere in motion for possible thunderstorms Friday night through Saturday night.
The normal high in the Twin Cities on the Fourth of July is 83 degrees.
Precipitation forecast for Friday night through Saturday night is not expected to be excessive in our neck of the woods. Hopefully the precipitation will fall during the darkness hours.
Looking ahead to next week, the forecast models are still hinting at a warm up with temperatures topping out above normal. Not ready to predict a 90 in eastern Minnesota just yet.
Odds also favor a wet pattern continuing next week.
The staff at the Minnesota Climate Office has prepared a nice summary of the excessive rainfall deposited on the landscape in June.
This image goes through 7 a.m. on Monday.