Flood watch issued for Duluth, Iron Range; rainfall may reach 2 to 4 inches

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for much of the Northland, including Duluth and Iron Range, through Thursday evening as a slow-moving storm system may drop in excess of 4 inches of rain in some areas.

Heavy rain moving across parts of the region this afternoon is forecast to continue through late Thursday. Widespread rainfall of 2 to 3 inches is possible in the watch area, with some areas possibly receiving 4 inches or more.

The frontal system sparking the rain is forecast to become nearly stationary over the area while also tapping into moisture streaming up from the Gulf of Mexico, leading to the potential for very heavy rain.

While rivers across the region have been running low until recent rainfall, the Weather Service reported that rainfall of 3 to 4 inches may cause them to rise significantly in the next few days.

The watch covers the following counties: St. Louis, Lake, Carlton, Aitkin, Crow Wing, southern Itasca and northern Cook. It includes Cloquet and Two Harbors.

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