Minnesota Flood Watch Issued as Heavy Rain Threatens Central and Northland Regions

The National Weather Service has placed a Flood Watch over central Minnesota, effective from 10 p.m. Tuesday through Wednesday morning, warning of possible flash flooding in rivers, creeks and low‑lying areas. The watch follows recent heavy rains that have already produced over half an inch of rain at St. Cloud airport and localized totals exceeding three inches in parts of the metro area.

A separate Outlook from the NWS Duluth office highlights a significant risk of 4‑6 inches of rain – and in some model scenarios up to 9 inches near Mille Lacs Lake – across Minnesota’s Northland. The Twin Ports area faces a 5‑15 percent chance of flash flooding, with the Iron Range and central Minnesota also under heightened threat. Residents are urged to avoid driving through flooded roadways and to heed safety advisories as the storms move through Tuesday night into Wednesday.

The combined forecasts indicate that the heaviest rainfall will likely fall in central Minnesota, with potential impacts extending into neighboring Wisconsin. Rain is expected to taper off by the end of Wednesday, with drier conditions returning later in the week.