6:22 PM Wednesday, May 8, 2024
- Tonight will be cool with patchy frost expected in inland areas of northeast Minnesota.
- Dry weather continues Thursday.
- Expect scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms on Friday, followed by mainly dry conditions on Saturday, and then the possibility of showers and thunderstorms returning on Sunday.
- Duluth may see its first 70-degree day of 2024 this Sunday.
The spring of 2024 continues to be damp in the Northland, with precipitation levels from March 1st ranging from 1 to nearly 3 inches above average in certain areas.
Note: Duluth experienced record-breaking rainfall on Tuesday, receiving 0.72 inches of rain. This surpassed the previous record for May 7th, set in 1930, when 0.66 inches of precipitation was recorded.
The latest precipitation statistics for Spring 2024 have been updated as of 4 PM on May 8th.
Brainerd
Total: 6.10″
Normal: 3.18″
Departure: +2.92″ above normal
Duluth
Total: 6.00″
Normal: 4.77″
Departure: +1.23″ above normal
Embarrass
Total: 4.26″
Normal: 3.73″
Departure: +0.53″ above normal
International Falls
Total: 3.26″
Normal: 3.27″
Departure: -0.01″ below normal
Precipitation maps for spring 2024 (March 1 – May 8)
Total precipitation
Departure from normal precipitation
Percent of normal precipitation for spring 2024
Brainerd: 191% of normal
Duluth: 126% of normal
Embarrass: 114% of normal
International Falls: 100% of normal
It appears that scattered showers and occasional thunderstorms are expected in the Northland on Friday, as a cold front moves through the area. While severe weather isn’t anticipated on Friday, there’s a possibility of small hail and gusty winds if stronger storms emerge in the afternoon to early evening.
NAM 3km model simulated radar forecast valid 7 AM to 10 PM Friday.
While widespread rainfall is not expected on Friday, scattered showers with some areas experiencing brief heavier downpours are anticipated.
NWS Blend of Models total rainfall through 1 AM Saturday.
Duluth may experience its first 70-degree day of the year this Sunday. Historically, the average date for reaching 70 degrees is April 28th, while last year, the first 70-degree day occurred on May 10th.
Today’s weather pattern is notably more pronounced, with a southwest flow aloft spanning the southern and eastern US, situated downstream from an upper low/trough. Concurrently, an upper-level ridge is present over southwest Canada and the Pacific Northwest. In the Northland, the flow aloft has transitioned to a northerly direction under this new pattern.
Showers and thunderstorms occurred today near the upper low, which was situated far southwest of the Northland. All this rainfall is expected to remain south of the Northland tonight.
Radar loop ends around 5:45 PM Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Goes-16 visible satellite loop ending 4:21 PM CT, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Goes-16 water vapor loop ending 4:21 PM CT, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Today, there is significant severe weather, including multiple tornado watches and a severe thunderstorm watch, in effect for regions of the southern and southeastern United States.
Thanks for reading!
Tim