A wet and windy Wednesday on tap

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Our fun in the sun is about to take a small hiatus this week as a strong storm system makes its way across the country.  The storm system will wind up tight, resulting in a Lot of wind! Also, with gulf moisture streaming in ahead of this system, lots of rain will be very possible near the area of low pressure.

MID WEEK RAIN

The main chances for the heaviest rains will be near the low pressure system to our south. As you can see in this model outlook of moisture, the wettest areas, blue and green, are coming out of the gulf and into the center of the storm which in return could produce the heaviest rains in parts of Iowa and Southeastern Minnesota.

Stay tune to the forecast as the track of this system will determine when the heaviest rains fall.  

MID WEEK WIND

Talk about blustery showers! Storm systems that are tightly wound produce a lot of wind. The winds are expected gust over 30 mph, if not more. Expect much stronger gusts in Western and Southwestern Minnesota. These winds will add a bite the rain, which may just be horizontal at times.

AFTER THE STORM

After the storm moves on, we will experience those blustery Northwest winds that will take our temperatures back down to average and slightly below. However, we are expecting a quick clearing by Friday and back to some milder temperatures for the weekend. So, maybe I will see you out on the bike trail this weekend?

A FUN LITTLE “FRAZIER FACT”

A similar storm system came through Minnesota almost one year ago to the date of this expected storm. Last year we had more cold air in place and the storm dropped a lot snow over central parts of the State. Remember St. Cloud setting a daily snowfall record and all that snow up towards North Branch? Thank goodness this time we will miss out that mess.

Here is a brief explainer of why this storm will be wet and not white. Simply put, it’s too warm! Take a look at a snapshot of the forecast model as the storm exits our region.

Yes, you can see that strong low pressure in the center of the storm but you can also see what we call the 5400 height . In easier terms, when this gets to 5400 or below, then we can have snow. As you can see in this week’s storm, that fall to 5400 thickness happens AFTER the moisture has moved on.