Residents of Minneapolis and the surrounding areas are bracing for a series of weather events forecasted to bring substantial rainfall and possible thunderstorms starting on Independence Day and continuing through next week. According to the National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN, a sunny start to July 3 will give way to weather that turns less favorable, with a high likelihood of showers and thunderstorms kicking in after 1 pm on the Fourth of July and carrying on into Friday.
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms & locally heavy rainfall are expected Thursday into Friday.
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) July 3, 2024
Most areas are expected to see 1-2" of rain but locally higher amounts of 3-4" are possible.
Isolated severe storms are also possible Thursday afternoon along with a few tornadoes. pic.twitter.com/O7QMs7nZ4T
The weather forecast sees an 80% chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm Thursday night, with new rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible, as detailed by the National Weather Service. The incessant downpours could raise concerns of flooding, hindering the festivities and outdoor plans typically associated with the holiday. The pattern is expected to persist with showers likely before 1 pm on Friday, followed by more thunderstorms. The skies might grant a reprieve Saturday night, giving way to partly cloudy conditions and lows around 59.
In tandem with the weather forecast, a Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued, highlighting ongoing concerns of moderate to major river flooding along the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. While the rain forecasted from July 4 through July 5 isn't expected to worsen the river conditions significantly, it could slow the recession of already elevated water levels.
Moreover, the Flood Warning for rivers in multiple counties remains in effect. Particularly, the "Minnesota River at Savage" continues to experience moderate flooding, with an advisory that water begins to back up in Credit River potentially affecting Hwy 101. "At 900 PM CDT Tuesday, the stage was 711.3 feet," and despite the expected drop to 704.6 feet by July 9, vigilance along the riverbanks remains paramount, as per the NWS Flood Warning. Weather officials stress the importance of following safety measures, emphasizing that most flood deaths occur in vehicles and that motorists should not attempt to circumvent roadblocks or drive through flooded areas.
