Snow comes, goes, but another wet weekend in store

Friday and Saturday's winter storm brought almost a foot of snow to parts of the Brainerd area, and more precipitation could be in store for this coming weekend.

Snow totals reported to the National Weather Service in Duluth included 11 inches in Pequot Lakes, 10.4 inches in Hewitt, 10 inches in Leader, 8 inches in Staples, 7.5 inches in Hackensack, 7.3 inches in Long Prairie, 7 inches in Pillager, 6 inches in Nisswa, 5.5 inches in Brainerd and 4 inches in Little Falls.

The snowfall started to disappear Sunday afternoon under clear skies and high temperatures in the mid 40s.

The weather service issued a flood warning for the Mississippi River in Aitkin and eastern Crow Wing counties. On Sunday the river was at 13.1 feet, more than a foot above the 12-foot flood stage.

Kevin Donofrio, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Duluth, said there's been minor flooding in Aitkin, including ponding and water in yards. The Mississippi River in Aitkin is expected to crest Tuesday at 13.5 feet.

Ben Mowers, Aitkin County Sheriff's dispatcher, said at 6 p.m. Sunday the river had risen to 13.2 feet. He said several fields had a lot of water in them, but overall the flooding was minor. He said the sheriff's department would continue to monitor the river throughout the week.

"I don't think we're worrying about it yet," Mowers said.

In Brainerd, the Mississippi River on Sunday was at 11.67 feet, below the 13-foot flood stage. In Fort Ripley, the river was at 8.72 feet, below the 10-foot flood stage.

The early part of this week is expected to be dry, with partly cloudy skies and high temperatures 43-48 degrees Monday, partly cloudy skies and highs 53-58 Tuesday and partly cloudy skies and highs 55-60 Wednesday.

Changes are in the air for Wednesday night, with a 20 percent chance of light rain or snow. That forecast trend continues with a 20 percent chance of light rain Thursday, a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday night, a 30 percent chance of light rain Friday and a 30 percent chance of light rain or snow Friday night. There's also a chance of light rain and snow Saturday night.

Donofrio said the system coming Wednesday night and Thursday should bring little, if any, snow with it but there may be 1-2 inches of rain.

"It looks to pack a little bit of punch to it," Donofrio said. "In Brainerd, we're expecting temperatures to stay above the freezing mark, so it will be mostly rain. A lot of rain."

Donofrio said though major flooding is not expected, the weather service would be keeping a close eye on the Mississippi River in Aitkin because of ground saturation and the amount of rain possible later this week.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.