Most of Central Minnesota is under a flood watch.  The National Weather Service  issued a flood watch for areas including St. Cloud, Willmar, Little Falls, Brainerd, Lake Mille Lacs, Cambridge, Princeton, and the Twin Cities.

St. Cloud State University meteorology professor Bob Weisman says watch goes into effect the second half of Wednesday night through Friday morning. Central Minnesota is forecast to take the heaviest rain from the next storm with two waves of rain: the first coming late today and this evening and the second wave from Thursday midday through the evening. Between one and three inches of rain is possible in each wave.  Weisman says all of that rain on top of the soaked ground with most small streams near their banks and there could be widespread small stream flooding in rural areas and urban flooding in any area with clogged sewers. The heavy rain could also produce more tree damage, which could cause power problems at times.

Weisman adds we could see some strong thunderstorms this evening, which could produce large hail or damaging winds at times. However, the main threat will be the heavy rainfall and potential flooding.  A complete forecast and flood discussion can be found here.