Flood watch: 2- to 4-inch rains this week; 70 again late next week?

NOAA GFS surface features into Wednesday via tropical tidbits.

Somebody forgot to turn off the hose.

Yet another strong but sluggish low-pressure system spins into Minnesota this week. The system is mainlining a feed of deep Gulf moisture. This efficient rainmaker will pump out more multi-inch rainfall totals by Wednesday. The flood watch covers a big chunk of southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

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Huge temperature contrast

What drives storms? Large temperature contrasts in the atmosphere. Take a look at the temperature difference between the Red River Valley and Wisconsin today. Want a taste of summer? A three-hour drive to Decorah, Iowa, or the Wisconsin Dells should do the trick.

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Or you can keep driving to Chicago where highs will be in the 80s.

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Forecast high temperatures today via NOAA.

Indian summer next week?

The longer range maps finally suggest a warmer drier weather pattern across the Upper Midwest late next week.

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NOAA

The long-range models are cranking out a string of days with highs in the mid to upper 60s, and possibly 70s across southern Minnesota. Yes, please.

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NOAA

Stay tuned and hang in there!