Friday showers, 50s for Halloween?

Gray skies. Wet pavement. Rain coat?

Some unfamiliar scenes play out Friday as low pressure rolls through Minnesota with scattered rain. Here's a look at probable rainfall ranges.

First the maps please? Our inbound low is progressive. That's not a political leaning, it just means the system is moving along in the upper air flow. Cut-off lows linger. This one passes through Friday and clears out of town for the weekend. High pressure builds back in for yet another sunnier but cool weekend. Eight nice weekends in a row? Buy a lottery ticket.

Here's a wider look at three-day rainfall totals including more of northern Minnesota.

Flooding looks potentially serious in Texas the next few days. Another double-digit extreme rainfall event?

50s for Halloween?

The longer range model output seems to be trending toward temperatures in the 50s for Halloween. I see two main rain systems between now and then -- Friday and next Tuesday/Wednesday.

Minnesota companies take action on climate change

It's becoming a trend that can make a difference. Cargill was first in July. Now Target, Best Buy and General Mills have joined a group of 81 companies pledging action on climate change as part of the American Business Act on Climate Pledge. The growing trend of corporate action on climate change is accelerating.

Here's more on the list, and what each company is pledging to do from Monday's White House release.

Today, the White House will announce new commitments from companies from across the American economy who are joining the American Business Act on Climate Pledge. With this announcement, 81 companies will have signed the American Business Act on Climate Pledge to demonstrate their support for action on climate change and the conclusion of a climate change agreement in Paris that takes a strong step forward toward a low-carbon, sustainable future.  These 81 companies have operations in all 50 states, employ over 9 million people, represent more than $3 trillion in annual revenue, and have a combined market capitalization of over $5 trillion.

By signing the American Business Act on Climate pledge, these companies are:

• Voicing support for a strong Paris outcome. The pledge recognizes those countries that have already put forward climate targets, and voices support for a strong outcome in the Paris climate negotiations.

• Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to climate action. As part of this initiative, each company is announcing significant pledges to reduce their emissions, increase low-carbon investments, deploy more clean energy, and take other actions to build more sustainable businesses and tackle climate change.These pledges include ambitious, company-specific goals such as:

  • Reducing emissions by as much as 50 percent,

  • Reducing water usage by as much as 80 percent,

  • Achieving zero waste-to-landfill,

  • Purchasing 100 percent renewable energy, and

  • Pursuing zero net deforestation in supply chains.

• Setting an example for their peers. Today’s announcements builds on the launch of the American Business Act on Climate Pledge in July. This fall, the Obama Administration will release a third round of pledges, with a goal of mobilizing many more companies to join the American Business Act on Climate Pledge.