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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for a large area of southeastern Minnesota.

The watch will remain in effect until 7 PM in Olmsted, Dodge, Fillmore, Mower, Wabasha, Winona, and Houston Counties. That includes Rochester, Owatonna,  Austin, Winona, and a number of other southeastern Minnesota cities.

The National Weather Service is concerned that the heavy rains that fell across the region this morning could produce flash flooding. At last report, more than 1.4 inches of rain had been recorded at the Rochester Airport, while the National Weather Service station on the heliport at St. Marys Hospital had recorded more than 2 inches of rain.

Much heavier rains fell in areas west and north of Rochester. The National Weather Service station at the Owatonna airport recorded more than 6 inches of rain starting around 7 AM, which resulted in a flash flood warning for portions of Steele and Waseca Counties this morning.

Forecasters are indicating the chances of additional showers and storms will lessen throughout the afternoon and will be replaced by warm and muggy conditions. Tuesday is predicted to be hot and humid with highs into the 90s across southern Minnesota. Rochester and the rest of southeastern Minnesota will be under a heat advisory while an excessive heat warning has been posted for the Twin Cities area.

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