Justin Liles: Much needed rain coming to the Northland

April 25th: Much needed rain coming

Much needed rain coming

Two systems bring rounds of accumulating rain this weekend. There is a 35% chance of embedded thunderstorms on Friday through the weekend as widespread rain occurs. A few storms on Saturday morning may become strong too severe in portions of northwest WI. Potential hazards include damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph and large hail up to 1″ in diameter. Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible, which could lead to minor flooding.

The first round Fri-Sat should see 0.5-1.5 inches fall, with some locally higher amounts up to 2″ possible. The second round Sun-Mon should be slightly less, with 0.25-1.0 inches expected. While this rain is expected to be largely beneficial, some heavier rain rates at times could lead to ponding of water in low lying areas and river levels are expected to come up. These amounts are around the lake and Twin Ports. Farther inland could see anywhere from 3-4” of rain if not a little bit more. Winds this weekend will be rather windy off the lake too.

TONIGHT
Mostly clear, with a low around 30. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
THURSDAY
Sunny, with a high near 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
FRIDAY
Rain, mainly after 1pm. High near 53. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
SATURDAY
Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 4pm, then rain likely. High near 55. Breezy, with an east wind around 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
SUNDAY
Rain likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Windy, with an east wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
MONDAY
Rain likely, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
TUESDAY
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
WEDNESDAY
A slight chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.