Frost and freeze watches issued

Fall will be leaving its mark this week.

The National Weather Service in Duluth on Monday issued frost and freeze watches for most of northern Minnesota.

In Brainerd, the low temp Tuesday night could drop to 32 degrees, the weather service reported. In northern Aitkin and Cass counties, it's expected to be even colder, with temps possibly dropping to 30 degrees and a freeze warning in effect until Wednesday morning.

Much cooler temperatures will be ushered into the region by strong northwest winds and the cooler air mass likely will result in sub-freezing temperatures across much of northeast Minnesota. The freeze warning could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation, the weather service reported.

The daytime high is expected to be 55-60 degrees Tuesday, 58-63 degrees Wednesday, 55-60 degrees Thursday and 55-60 degrees Friday.

There's also a 60 percent chance of rain Thursday, a 40 percent chance of rain Friday and a 30 percent chance of rain Saturday.

After Tuesday, low temps will remain in the low to mid 40s, said Ed Flenz, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Duluth. He said he expects temperatures to remain above freezing for some time.

"This will probably be our last frost/freeze headline for the season," Flenz said.

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