Area Weather: Nice July 4 weekend but rain needed in some areas

I hope all of you had a great 4th of July weekend. The weekend was pretty decent with temperatures near "normal" along with sunshine and a few spotty showers on Friday and again on Sunday late in the day.

All-in-all, it was not a bad weekend for this time of the year. I know many of you got outdoors and spent time on area lakes, playing golf, grilling, or going for a nice walk. Some parts of the state could certainly use some rain, however. Hopefully, this week those areas in need can see some relief.

The northern-half of the state and extreme Southern Minnesota are in good shape. A good share of West Central and Central Minnesota either are abnormally dry or in a drought. Kandiyohi, Swift, and Chippewa Counties are hit the hardest with the lack of rainfall. Keep thinking rainy thoughts for those areas of the state...

WEATHER FACT

In "olden days," those at sea often saw the tops of their ship masts glow as thunderstorms developed. They called it "St Elmo's fire", and its eerie light comes from the intense static electricity streaming up tall objects and discharging as a glowing corona.

THIS DAY IN WEATHER HISTORY

In 1974 the Twin Cities reached 101 degrees--the warmest in 26 years! In Greater Minnesota temperatures were also very hot as Alexandria hit 89 degrees, St. Cloud reached 96 degrees, and Fergus Falls climbed to 95 degrees.

MINNESOTA AT A GLANCE

Moorhead...Low 62...High 75

Duluth...Low 50...High 62

Morris...Low 60...High 77

Twin Cities...Low 64...High 77

Rochester...Low 60...High 76

TODAY (Wednesday)

Variable clouds, chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Winds: SE at 10-20 mph

Precip: .25"-.50"

Today's sunrise: 5:40 am Today's sunset: 9:13 p.m.

Normal High: 80 Normal Low: 59

A disturbance pushing through the area could generate showers and thunderstorms for today.

OUTLOOK

• Thursday-Variable clouds, chance of showers and thunderstorms. High 82 Low 61 Winds: S at 10-20 mph, Precip: Trace-.25"

• Friday-Partly cloudy, slight chance of showers/t-storms. High 84 Low 60 Winds: W at 10-15 mph, Precip: Trace-.10"

• Saturday-Partly cloudy, slight chance of showers/t-storms. High 79 Low 59, Winds: NW 10-15 Prec. Trace-.10"

• Sunday-Partly cloudy, slight chance of showers. High 83 Low 59, Winds: W 10-15 mph. Prec. Trace-.10"

• Monday: Partly cloudy. High 80 Low 61, Winds: WNW 10-15 mph Prec. .00"