Tracking showers and embedded thunderstorms as they move northeast across Minnesota in the early morning hours.  Localized heavy rain as well as thunder and lightning can be spotted across Northern Minnesota this morning but then over in Northern Wisconsin by the afternoon. Storms are no longer expected to be strong or severe.

As the rain clears some will see peaks of sunshine, but the day will remain mostly clouded. Cooler air continues to move in from the north overnight and will change the precipitation into a wintery mix and then snow by tomorrow morning. The cool air will wrap around to the northwest side of the low allowing for the switch to snowfall by sunrise and continue into the mid-day.

There are still uncertainties in snowfall amounts, as the majority of the Northland will see 1-3” and few areas will see bands of snow with greater chances for more accumulating. The most favored areas for snowfall include southern portions of Aitkin County to the northeastern portions of the Twin Ports and then across the lake in the far north portions of Wisconsin along the South Shore. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for those portions of the Northland Thursday as 2-6” of snow are possible.

Temperatures will remain in the upper 40s and low 50s throughout the weekend with a few chances for passing showers.

Today

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers after 5pm. Cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 49 by 8am. Breezy, with a north wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Showers, mainly after 1am. Low around 35. Breezy, with a northeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday

Rain and snow showers, becoming all rain after 4pm. High near 42. Breezy, with a north wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 45. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday

A slight chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Sunday

A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Breezy, with an east wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Monday

Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday

A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.