Rain, storms to frequent midwestern US this week

Rounds of rain and locally damaging thunderstorms will sweep through the midwestern United States on a nearly daily basis this week.

While Midwesterners were able to keep rain jackets and umbrellas in the closet last week as unseasonably warm, rain-free weather dominated, these items will become necessities this week.

“It has been pretty dry across much of the North Central states over the past seven to 10 days, but that will change over the course of the week,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun.

A setup of cool air to the north and lingering warmth to the south will provide an avenue for systems to traverse from the northern Plains to the upper Great Lakes with rain and thunderstorms.

“Most of the rain this week will be sub-severe in nature, with heavy, flooding downpours the primary threat,” Rathbun said.

“Some locations could end up picking up more rain this week than they typically receive for the entire month,” he added.

Normal precipitation amounts for the month of September range from a little over 1 inch in Rapid City, South Dakota, to around 3 inches in Minneapolis and Chicago.

“Parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan are lined up to receive the most rainfall this week,” Rathbun said.

The heaviest, most widespread rainfall is likely to occur from late Wednesday to Thursday night.

While the damper pattern will be good news for the growing drought conditions across parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota, rain falling too quickly and over the same areas can trigger localized flooding problems.

Even in the absence of flooding, the downpours will prove to be disruptive to those with outdoor and travel plans.

Last week’s dry stretch has allowed oil to build up on area roadways, which will make them extra slick at the onset of rain.

Motorists will need to slow down to lower the risk of spinning out or hydroplaning. This includes along stretches of interstates 29, 35, 80, 90 and 94.

A few thunderstorms through the week could pulse to gusty and locally severe levels. This threat will likely be greatest on Thursday afternoon and evening.

“The rain this week will put an end to the summerlike temperatures that were observed across the region over this past weekend,” Rathbun said.

Temperatures in Minneapolis will be near 70 degrees Fahrenheit through Thursday, as opposed to the 90s F that were felt this past weekend. The city's high on Friday may not get out of the 60s F.

Areas farther south, such as Des Moines, Iowa, and Chicago, will not feel the refreshing change to more fall-like weather until the end of the week.

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