Weather Service says heavy rain, localized flooding possible Wednesday, Thursday
CHANHASSEN -- The National Weather Service says a slow-moving cold front will shift into western Minnesota Wednesday night and Thursday, making localized flooding a possibility across much of west central Minnesota.
The forecasters expect the dew point to rise to around 60 and thunderstorms to develop along and behind the cold front. The storms are expected to bring precipitation between 0.75 to 2 inches of rain, possibly localized rainfall totals of 3 inches or more Wednesday night.
The front will gradually move east on Thursday and the precipitation will taper off in the afternoon. Between 0.25 to 0.50 inches of additional rainfall can be expected.
The total rainfall between Wednesday and Friday is expected to be 2.1 inches for Redwood Falls and 2.2 inches for St. Cloud, with at least 1 inch expected in both Alexandria and Minneapolis.
The Weather Service may issue watches and warnings regarding the total amounts and placement of the heavy rainfall. If precipitation amounts are higher than expected and widespread 3 to 4 inch rains are received, there is a threat of river flooding in the Redwood, Cottonwood, Watonwan, Blue Earth, Minnesota and Crow river basins.
