Brandon Weatherz: Storms possible tonight

Today will feature a low chance for a passing shower into the afternoon, then a chance for strong storms arriving from the west this evening into tonight. The Storm Prediction Center has expanded a marginal risk for severe storms across the majority of the Northland. An isolated storm may produce damaging winds and hail up to 1″.

So far this week, highs have consistently stayed 5 to 10 degrees below average. We’ll trend warmer today and tomorrow with typical mid-July heat, then a cold front will trigger a gradual cooldown from the north through the weekend.

Our weather pattern continues to be dominated by a large low far to the north. This system meanders closer to the Canadian border through Sunday and spins out enough energy for occasional showers and thunderstorms, but widespread accumulating precipitation is still lacking, allowing the drought to persist.

Friday brings additional shower and thunderstorm chances, mostly in the afternoon and evening with the help of daytime heating. A low chance for showers lingers Saturday, then Sunday brings another more scattered round of showers and thunderstorms.

Today: Partly sunny with a slight chance for a shower. High 77. SW wind 5-10 mph.

Tonight: Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance for showers and thunderstorms. Low 58. W wind 2-8 mph. Chance of rain: 30%

Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, warm, and breezy with an isolated thunderstorm possible. High 82. W wind 10-15 mph. Chance of rain: 30%

Tomorrow night: Partly cloudy. Low 57. W wind 5-10 mph.

Saturday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance for showers. High 75. W wind 5-15 mph.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a chance for showers in the afternoon. High 71. W wind 10-15 mph.

Monday: Partly cloudy and breezy with a slight chance for showers. High 72. NW wind 10-15 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High 75. NW wind 5-10 mph.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance for showers. High 78. E wind 5-10 mph.