Temps will drop as rain/storm chances move in intermittently

Overall temperatures have been averaging 3.1 degrees above normal so far this month. We continued to see those temperatures very warm to start off this week, as highs have been in the low- to mid-80s. 

All of this warm air and lack of moisture has created very dry conditions. Parts of southern Minnesota along with north central and northeast Minnesota are once again abnormally dry. Despite all the rain in May, June and July, we are starting to go back to where we were earlier this year.

We should see some relief move in as far as moisture since rain chances are expected to return by later in the day Wednesday which will linger into Thursday. More on-again-off-again rain will be with us into the weekend.

In case you are wondering, the 8- to 14-day outlook does call for above-normal temperatures, but also above-normal precipitation to be with us during the period to close out the month of September.

Finally, fall will officially arrive this Sunday at 7:44 a.m. CT.

Weather history: On this date in 1971, records show that a “brush fire at Lake Alexander in Morrison County spawns a 10-foot wide, 50-foot-high fire whirl.” This fire whirl “moved out over the lake, overturned an 1,800-pound pontoon boat, and then dissipated as it moved back to shore.”

Weather facts: Did you know that fire whirls occur when a “wildfire creates its own wind, which can spawn large vortices” or masses of fluid or air?

MN AT A GLANCE:

Moorhead Low 69 High 79

Duluth Low 62 High 78

Central Minn. Low 66 High 81

Twin Cities Low 66 High 85

Marshall Low 67 High 82

Rochester Low 63 High 81

Wednesday: Cloudy, 20% chance of rain/thunderstorms. High 81 Low 64 Wind: SSE 15-25 mph Prec. Trace-.20”

Today’s sunrise: 7:04 a.m.

Today’s sunset: 7:25 p.m.

Normal High: 69

Normal Low: 49

Rain showers and some thunderstorms will be possible off and on through this Sunday. Temperature highs will fall from the lower 80s on Wednesday and Thursday, into the mid- to upper-60s by Sunday. 

Thursday: Mostly cloudy to cloudy, 60% chance of rain/thunderstorms. High 80 Low 57 Wind: SSE 10-20 mph Prec. .20”-.50”

Friday: Partly cloudy, 20% chance of rain. High 77 Low 57 Wind: WSW 10-15 mph Prec. Trace-.20”

Saturday: Variable cloudy, 40% chance of rain mainly early. High 72 Low 56 Wind: E 10-15 mph Prec. .10”-.30”

Sunday: Cloudy, 50% chance of rain. High 67 Low 53 Wind: E 10-20 mph Prec. .20”-.50”