Next Weather: Much-needed rain in store for the weekend
MINNEAPOLIS -- After a steamy Friday, some much-needed rain is in store for the weekend.
Meteorologist Lisa Meadows says there are multiple rounds of rain and thunderstorms expected in the coming days.
The first showers and storms will happen Friday evening on the heels of a day with 90-degree heat. They will push into northwestern Minnesota, and some of the storms could be severe, threatening hail and damaging winds.
Overnight, the storms will march into central Minnesota, hitting the Twin Cities around sunrise. Rounds of rain and storms will continue throughout the day.
"We really don't have a good chance of seeing a dry period for your outdoor plans Saturday," Meadows said. "So keep that in mind."
The storms will continue to push south into Saturday evening, bringing showers and storms to the Interstate 90 corridor and southeastern Minnesota.
On Sunday, more rounds of rain and storms are expected, although the clouds will start to clear in the afternoon.
While the rain might upset weekend plans, it could also put a dent in drought conditions in the state.
The latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that much of central Minnesota is dealing with moderate to severe drought. Much of the Twin Cities is listed under severe conditions.
Models show that the rain this weekend could bring more than 1.5 inches of rain to the metro area. Some areas, around Marshall and Rochester, could see around 2 inches of rain.
Looking ahead, the workweek looks to be pleasant and sunny, with high temperatures ranging from the upper 70s to the upper 80s.
Outside this weekend, there's little sign of rain in the short-term forecast.