Hurricane Moisture Has Reached Southern Minnesota

Moisture from Hurricane Polo is bringing expected rainfall to the I-90 corridor.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Current Conditions

A rain-slicked rural asphalt road traverses a vast Minnesota prairie under dark, storm-filled clouds.
Moisture from Hurricane Polo arrived in Southern Minnesota on Tuesday, providing beneficial rainfall to a region facing a significant precipitation deficit since early 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Rainfall began across parts of the Midwest on Tuesday as the region grapples with a significant precipitation deficit. Moisture associated with Hurricane Polo is expected to deliver further rain to Southern Minnesota on Wednesday.

Why it matters

This influx of moisture provides a necessary contribution toward narrowing the state's precipitation deficit, which has exceeded 6.6 inches since the start of 2026.

Meteorologists expect 2 to 4 inches of rain to fall near the I-90 corridor on Wednesday. This follows a dry summer at MSP airport where only 7.36 inches of rain was recorded, ranking as the 18th driest on record.

The players

MSP Airport

This facility serves as a primary weather recording station for the Twin Cities and surrounding regions.

Hurricane Polo

This tropical weather system provided the atmospheric moisture currently moving across the Midwest.

The details

The arrival of moisture from Hurricane Polo follows a September that saw nearly 3 inches of rainfall at the MSP airport weather station. Forecasters are monitoring the system as it moves through the Midwest, specifically targeting areas near the I-90 corridor for the heaviest precipitation.

Timeline

  1. January 1, 2026 marked the start of the state's precipitation deficit tracking.

  2. September 2026 saw an accumulation of nearly 3 inches of rainfall.

  3. September 29, 2026 was the date rain occurred across parts of the region.

  4. September 30, 2026 is when moisture from Hurricane Polo arrived in the state.

Seasonal Patterns

The current arrival of moisture follows the 18th driest summer on record at MSP airport. This event serves as an immediate atmospheric update to the climatological conditions established by that summer record.

Residents near the I-90 corridor should prepare for potential travel delays due to heavy rainfall. Monitor local weather reports for specific flooding advisories as the system moves through the region.

The takeaway

The incoming moisture offers a vital break from a prolonged dry spell that has plagued the state throughout 2026. While the rain is beneficial for the deficit, travelers should exercise caution on roadways through the middle of the week.

Further reading

For more information on local weather trends, visit the Minnesota Current Conditions page.

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Is the drought situation in your area noticeably improving this year?