UPDATED: Flood watch in effect for parts of southeast North Dakota

FARGO - About an inch of rain fell this morning, and showers likely will continue, but it appears the area has received the brunt of today's precipitation, WDAY meteorologist Rob Koupec said.

Periods of heavy rain pelted commuters this morning as a flood watch remains in effect for southeastern North Dakota until tonight.

A little more than an inch of rain had fallen in Fargo as of 10 a.m. this morning, Koupec said.

"I think we're about done with the real heavy stuff," he added. "The bulk of the rain is done for the day."

A flood watch continues through this evening in Barnes, Cass, Ransom, Richland and Sargent counties.

The Oakes area in Dickey County received more than 4 inches of rain Thursday and this morning, Koupec said. A band of heavy rain dropped between 4 to 5 inches from the Oakes area to the Lidgerwood area, he said.

Motorists should be aware that rains can cause low-land flooding. Soils are saturated, interfering with the fall harvest.

"We're awfully saturated, Koupec said.

It appears a La Nina weather pattern is affecting the region's weather. Typi-cally, that means a wet September for the area, although drier weather usually follows in October and November, Koupec said.

"We'll hope that holds," he said.

A hazardous weather outlook is in effect for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central an northwest Minnesota.