The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Albert Lea and its vicinity.

The watch is in effect for the Minnesota counties of Freeborn, Faribault, Mower and Fillmore and for several northern Iowa counties, including Worth and Winnebago.

The watch statement for Freeborn and Faribault counties said portions of these counties received 3 to 4 inches of rain Wednesday. The rain fell on ground already saturated from the wet spring. Because of moderate to heavy showers expected Friday and Saturday, there is a heightened potential for flash flooding, the weather service states.

“An additional 1 to 2 inches are possible,” the statement says. “Some of the rain could be very heavy at times.”

It says streams and rivers could rise quickly and flood roadways.

The flash flood watch is in effect through Saturday evening.