ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Rain is on its way to Minnesota — and just in time.

After a dry October, the National Weather Service says showers are likely in western Minnesota Thursday night with a chance of showers in the eastern part of the state after midnight. Showers are forecast to continue statewide Friday.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports dry conditions have increased in Minnesota in recent weeks. In the U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday, moderate drought conditions were reported in parts of northwestern and far southeastern Minnesota. About 7 percent of the state was in drought.

Another 34 percent of the state was abnormally dry, including much of the west metro — the first report of abnormally dry conditions for the Twin Cities area since June.

The Rochester area has received less than a tenth of an inch of rain since Sept 18.  Up to half an inch may fall by Saturday.

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