Rain today, then nice Thursday to Sunday

Rain is already falling about 80 miles west of the Twin Cities this morning and will remain west of the Twin Cities through rush hour Wednesday morning. After 10 a.m. it will move into the Twin Cities – especially the western metropolitan area. Periods of rain will continue on and off throughout the afternoon and then end around 12pm on Thursday. Rainfall amounts range from less than 0.05″ near the Minnesota-Wisconsin border to . 25″ in most western metro areas and 0.50″ to 1″ areas along a line from St. Cloud to Mankato to Fairmont and pointing west.

Today’s highs will be in the mid 40s with southeast winds 5 to 15 mph, then areas of fog will develop overnight with lows around 40 degrees.

There will be patchy fog and clouds Thursday morning, but a mix of clouds and sun in the afternoon with highs near 50 degrees and north winds 5 to 10 mph. Clear skies with patchy fog Thursday evening and a full moon with light winds and lows in the mid 30s Friday morning.

Mostly sunny and pleasant Friday with highs in the mid 50s, then sunny and windy Saturday with highs in the mid 50s. On Sunday it will be partly cloudy, with a chance of light rain showers in the morning, otherwise it will remain partly cloudy to sunny in the afternoon, with highs around 50 degrees and intermittent wind in the afternoon.

Next week starts out sunny with highs in the 50s on Monday, then cloudy on Tuesday with rain starting and highs in the 50s. JONATHAN YUHAS