A weekend of unsettled weather arrives in the wake of Friday's storms.

Heavy downpours soaked the Twin Cities area and parts of central Minnesota on Friday morning, causing minor flooding and forcing a halt to flights landing at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

The heaviest rainfall fell in north central Minnesota, where Wadena reported 4.35 inches of rain and the Staples area was hit with nearly 4 inches in less than three hours, the National Weather Service reported. In addition, New York Mills had 3.75 inches, according to the Weather Service.

Douglas, Todd and Morrison counties received between 1 and 4 inches of rain.

Then, just in time for the morning commute, thunderstorms pushed into the Twin Cities area, with heavy downpours slowing traffic and flooding some streets.

From New Hope — where deep water collected at the intersection of 42nd and Nevada Avenues — to downtown Minneapolis, there were reports of cars being swamped and people splashing through ankle-deep water to get to work.

The thunderstorms were so heavy that shortly before 9 a.m. MSP ordered all inbound flights to be held at their originating airport until 9:45 a.m.

The Weather Service estimated 1-hour rainfall totals in the west metro would be up to 1.75 inches.

These storms are forerunners of a series of showers and thunderstorms through the weekend and into Monday, the Weather Service said.

On Monday, temperatures dip with a high expected only in the mid- to low 60s. By the middle of the week, the highs will push only into the low- to mid-70s.

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