Cooler temperatures to follow, but frost appears unlikely for Mower County

Southern Minnesota is bracing for heavy rains and potential flooding tonight.

The National Weather Service issued flash flood watches through 10 a.m. Wednesday for much of southern Minnesota, including Mower and Freeborn Counties.

Heavy rainfall is expected to move through much of the region Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, bringing widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches with 1 to 2 inches per hour possible in heavier spots, according the weather service.

The weather service also warned of poor visibility during the heaviest rains, which will make for difficult driving. Torrential downpours could result in washouts or street flooding in some towns, according to the weather service.

A few thunderstorms could be severe. Along with the heavy rains, damaging winds and large hail is also possible.

After the strong low pressure system moves through the area, temperatures are expected to drop across the region.

Austin will drop from a high of 76 Tuesday to highs of 62 on Wednesday, 56 on Thursday, 53 on Friday and 60 on Saturday.

There has been some talk about potential frosts in the northern Midwest, but Mower County should stay above freezing. Austin’s lows are expected to be in the low 40s Wednesday and Thursday before bottoming out at 37 on Friday night.