Former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli reportedly said "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." Then again, data are data. It's getting wetter out there over time, according to the Minnesota DNR and Mark Seeley. Twin Cities average rainfall has increased from 25.93 inches (1941-1970) to 31.16 inches (1981-2010). That doesn't mean we won't have dry years, but the trend is wetter.
By my count, nine of 16 Minnesota "mega-rains" (6 inches or more over 1,000-plus square miles) since 1858 have occurred since 2000. Recent University of Minnesota research suggests that summer storms and fronts are often moving slower, with wider gaps between rains. But when it does rain it comes down much harder.
Light showers linger today, but heavier rain returns Thursday night into Friday. One to 2 inches of rain is possible in the metro, with 3 inches in far southern Minnesota. And we need the rain.
We salvage lukewarm sun on Sunday with 70s, with a few 80s returning early next week.
