A late-fall storm may severely interrupt the dry, mild conditions in southeastern Minnesota beginning tonight.

The severe thunderstorm system could start dumping rain late afternoon and intensify, according to the National Weather Service. A hazardous weather outlook is in effect for Mower and surrounding counties.

“The storm system could produce some heavy rainfall, upwards of 1 to 3 inches for parts of the area,” NWS meteorologist Zack Taylor said. “One of the bigger things with these storms tonight will be the lightning, especially with all the outdoor activities, things like football and so on.”

According to the NWS, the heaviest amount of rain could come tonight along Interstate 90 and farther north, which could lead to localized flooding. The NWS forecasts as much as 1 to 3 inches of rain possible through Sunday. The storm will significantly reduce temperatures in the area, as well, with the coldest point coming on Sunday.

“Sunday will be a lot colder and blustery with the winds,” Taylor said.

Minnesota Public Radio Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner said the rare part about this storm is the potential for tornadoes, mainly along southwestern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. However, he wouldn’t rule out the possibility for such weather moving east. He noted Minnesota is on the warm side of the storm system, while western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming, on the cold side, is in the midst of a blizzard. The NWS in Rapid City issued a civil emergency for Butte County, S.D., and emergency officials urged no travel and warned that traffic citations would be issued. Huttner added, though, Minnesota will likely receive no snowfall.

However, there is a chance of continued southeastern Minnesota thunderstorms on Saturday along with showers on Sunday. NWS predicts Saturday’s overnight low to dip to 40 and creep back into the mid 50s on Sunday, followed by a low of 39 on Sunday night.

The local outlook may be a little more favorable into next week with highs in the upper 60s, according to NWS, and sunshine.