Wintery mix in the weekend mix
On Friday night, the Brainerd area could get its first taste of winter as a chance of snow is forecast through the weekend.
It's a small chance, about 20 percent probably mixed with rain, according to the National Weather Service in Duluth, but it's a chance nonetheless.
Whatever snow falls probably won't last too long, said Mike Stewart, meteorologist with the weather service. He said at most there could be a half-inch of snow that will be quick to melt.
"If anything, it's going to be on grassy areas but it's not going to be anything significant," Stewart said. "It's like a little teaser. It kind of lets us know the seasons are changing. We had a nice September so you knew it was going to catch up with us."
Tom Lund walked in the rain Tuesday along Laurel Street in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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There will be a break between Tuesday's rain and this weekend's rain/snow expectation. On Wednesday, the weather service's forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies and high temps of 52-57 degrees. On Thursday and Friday it is expected to be partly sunny with high temps of 45-50.
Starting Friday night through Monday, low temps in the mid 20s to low 30s are possible with high temps in the upper 30s and low 40s. With that comes the chance of rain and snow showers.
"It's much needed rain," Stewart said.
According to weather service statistics, the 30-year average for precipitation through September in Brainerd is 22.82 inches. In 2009, through September, about 21.32 inches of rain had fallen - a total that doesn't include the estimated 3 inches of rain that has fallen so far this October. In 2008, 20.87 inches of precipitation was measured through September.
Despite the rain, most of Crow Wing County remains abnormally dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme northern Aitkin and Crow Wing counties and most of northern Cass County are listed in moderate to severe drought conditions.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.