Watching the Tropics
NOAA's National Hurricane Center is still keeping an eye on a way of energy in the Atlantic Basin that could become our first hurricane later this week or early weekend. This will be tracking along the the north coast of South America in the Southern Caribbean. This will bring gusty winds and areas of heavy rain to those locations as it drifts west toward to Central America by the weekend.
Tracking the Tropics
Here's the 5 day tropical outlook from NOAA's NHC. The area marked in red below is the area that could become Hurricane Bonnie later this week/weekend. However, there are 2 other areas of interest that NOAA's NHC is watching. There is a medium chance of tropical formation in the Gulf of Mexico and another low chance of tropical formation in the central Atlantic.
Tracking the Tropics
Here's NOAA's storm track for that tropical disturbance, which will possibly become Bonnie early Wednesday morning. We could also see our first hurricane of the 2022 season later this week / weekend prior to landfall with Central America.
Tracking the Tropics
Here is the intensity forecast for 94L using some of the same models. Most members suggest a gradual increase in wind speeds as we head through the week with tropical storm status possible by midweek. If this becomes named, it would be Bonnie. There is also a chance that Bonnie could become the first hurricane of the season. Most models keep it at category 1 status.
Spotty Severe Threats Wednesday & Thursday
According to NOAA's SPC, there is an isolated risk of strong to severe storms across parts of the region PM Wednesday and PM Thursday. Gusty winds and hail will be the primary concern with any of the stronger storms that develop in dark green.
Spotty Thunder Chances This Week
Here's the weather outlook from 7AM Wednesday to 7AM Monday. More showers and storms will be possible across the Dakotas and NW Minnesota late Wednesday, which will slide east through the Midwest on Thursday. There also appears to be some spotty showers and storms late weekend into 4th of July Monday across parts of the region.
Precipitation Potential Through Next Week
Here's the extended rainfall potential through early next week, which shows decent rainfall amounts across parts of the region. The best chance of storms will come in PM Wednesday & Thursday and again late weekend into early next week. Stay tuned...
Dry June For Many - Heavy Rain For Others
Here's a look at the precipitation departure from average so far this June. Note that many locations are dealing with deficits with a few locations being nearly -1.00" to -2.00" or more below average through the first 26 days of the month. Minneapolis is -3.08" below average, which is good enough for the 6th driest start to any June on record. However, last week saw very heavy rainfall in a few locations across Central MN, including St. Cloud, where they saw significant flooding. St. Cloud is now more than +1.75" above average, which is good enough for the 29th wettest on record.