Areas of Severe Thunderstorms and Excessive Rainfall through Memorial Day

Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are forecast to impact portions of the Southern Plains, Mid-South, and Tennessee Valley through Memorial Day. Severe thunderstorms may produce large hail, severe wind gusts, and a few tornadoes. Excessive rainfall is also likely and may result in scattered to numerous instances of flash flooding. Read More >

September featured pretty widespread warmer than average temperatures and below average rainfall. Few records were broken this month, though a record high low temperature was set at Brainerd and a couple daily rainfall records were set. The warm and dry conditions have resulted in expanded drought conditions, with pockets of moderate to extreme drought across portions of northwest Wisconsin along the South Shore, inching into Carlton and Pine counties. Abnormally dry conditions have spread into parts of northeast Minnesota as well. Many rivers and streams are running below normal across northwest Wisconsin.

Above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation are likely to persist across the region through October, as is forecasted by the Climate Prediction Center. Chances are equal for above or below normal temperatures and precipitation through December. Areas that are currently experiencing drought will likely see conditions persist for the foreseeable future.