/Issued 4:28 PM CDT, Wednesday, June 26, 2013/
*Total rainfall map for June 25-26, 2013 ending the Morning of the 26th. Last night’s thunderstorms targeted Western/Northern parts of Minnesota where a half to one inch or more of rain was common with some 2-3″+ amounts in parts of Western Minnesota. (Source, Midwest Regional Climate Center)
Local Storm Report for June 26, 2013
Source: National Weather Service Duluth, Minnesota
-2:10 PM CDT: HEAVY RAIN. 0.87″. 3 NNE of Finland, MN (Lake County)
-2:25 PM CDT: 0.88″ HAIL. 3 N of Spooner, WI (Burnett County) Dime to nickel size hail with small branches down. Very heavy downpour.
-2:10 PM CDT: HEAVY RAIN. 1.75″. Oakland, WI (Burnett County)
-12:21 PM CDT: 0.88″ HAIL. Grantsburg, WI (Burnett County) Dime to nickel size hail fell from 12:15 PM to 12:21 PM.
Today’s Weather Summary for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
A weakening occluded front/wind shift line has settled into far Eastern Minnesota late This Afternoon while a secondary cold front heads east through the Northern Plains. Another warm and humid day over most of our area with highs in the 70s and 80s with dew points in the 60s to lower 70s. The marine layer strengthened Today which resulted in much cooler and foggier conditions closer to Lake Superior where highs stayed in the 50s. Winds were out of the west, northwest or east Today at 5 to 15 mph.
Forecast Discussion for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Short Term Forecast – Confidence: High.
Tonight (June 26th)
Partly to mostly cloudy skies will be common Tonight with scattered showers and thunderstorms due to a few boundaries which will be passing through the Upper Midwest. The atmosphere will remain unstable Tonight with CAPE of 1000-2000 j/kg and Lifted Indices from -2 to -5C. Mid and upper level winds will also continue to increase during the night. Still not expecting much in the way of severe weather Tonight, but a few stronger storms could develop. Heavy downpours and dangerous lightning will be the primary hazards along with small hail and gusty winds. Low temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s with winds out of the west or north at 5 to 15 mph.
Thursday and Thursday Night (June 27th)
A northwest flow aloft develops during this period with a cold front moving south/east of the Northland on Thursday while an upper low/trough develops to our north. Lingering instability and moisture could lead to a few showers and thunderstorms in our area Tomorrow and Tomorrow Evening. There’s a risk for isolated stronger storms as well with 40-60 knot winds in the mid levels of the atmosphere and 80-100 knot winds in the upper levels. However, the amount of instability and moisture will be less Tomorrow compared to what we had Today and this could limit the intensity of the storms. Highs on Thursday will be in the 70s and 80s with lows Thursday Night in the 50s and 60s. Winds will be out of the west at 10 to 20 mph.
Extended Forecast – Confidence: High.
Friday through Sunday (June 28th-30th)
A north-northwest flow aloft will be a common theme during this period. With an upper trough/low sitting just to our north/east there will be chance for some showers or isolated thunderstorms Friday/Saturday, especially during the Afternoon and Evening hours. Sunday looks mainly dry at this time. High temperatures will be in the 60s and 70s with lows Friday Night and Saturday Night mainly in the 50s.
Long Range Forecast – Confidence: High.
(July 1st-6th)
Near normal temperatures are forecast through this period. Looks mainly dry from the 1st-4th. After that we could see a few showers or thunderstorms return, but this by no means is a guarantee.
5 DAY FORECAST FOR DULUTH/SUPERIOR
.Tonight… Partly to mostly cloudy. Scattered showers or thunderstorms possible. Patchy fog. Low 55 to 60. Wind variable at 5 to 15 mph becoming west.
.Thursday… Partly sunny. A few showers or thunderstorms possible. High 79 to 84. Wind west at 10 to 20 mph.
.Thursday Night… A few showers or thunderstorms possible early, otherwise partly to mostly cloudy. Low 55 to 60. Wind west to northwest at 5 to 15 mph.
.Friday… Partly sunny. Afternoon showers possible. High 70 to 75.
.Friday Night… Partly to mostly cloudy. Evening showers possible. Low 52 to 57.
.Saturday… Partly sunny. High 68 to 73.
.Saturday Night… Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 50 to 55.
.Sunday… Partly cloudy. High 70 to 75.
Normal temperatures for Today
High: 74
Low: 52
Sunrise Thursday: 5:16 AM CDT
Sunset Thursday: 9:07 PM CDT
Tim