Our Incoming Storm: A Story About Invisible Lines

We've talked a bit on this KDLT Weather Blog about how boundaries are where weather events like to form. Just like humans who like to take a bike path instead of trying to bike through thick weeds or trees, storms try to take the path of least resistance.

Watch this video of our Futurecast model showing what happens with this next storm system:

Take note of first of all, the slow movement overall of this system. It hangs around for at least a day overall. Second, the line at the end toward the NW Iowa area into extreme southern Minnesota and SE South Dakota. That is one we are watching closely, not just because they have the potential to pick up the most rainfall, but also because there will be a sharp divider between regions to the NW that get sunshine on Thursday, or at least broken clouds, and areas to the SE that see rainy conditions again. You can see the line of extra rainfall in this graphic below, as we pan a bit to the SE to focus on the highest totals at the end.

While these are approximate future rainfall totals, they may not be that far off from reality. That boundary will really look to fuel our rain chances, and help some locales pick up nearly 1-2 inches of overall rainfall.

The final conclusion: you might need to put some rain repellent on your car windshield or pack your umbrella over the next couple of days! Have a good night!

~KDLT Chief Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer