Severe storms threaten Twin Cities; NWS issues thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Twin Cities and parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin until 8 p.m. Thursday, warning of damaging winds, large hail and a small tornado risk.
The watch places the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota in a Level 2 "slight" risk, with central and northern Minnesota at Level 1 "marginal." Forecasters say storms could produce wind gusts up to 70 mph, scattered hail up to ping-pong ball size, and a small chance of tornadoes. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 2:50 p.m. for Dassel, Darwin and Kingston in west-central Minnesota.
The line of storms is expected to begin soon after lunchtime, with isolated cells possibly producing brief hail before storms organize into lines and clusters. Those organized storms are most likely to bring damaging winds and heavy downpours that could cause minor, short-lived street flooding.
Xcel Energy has staged about 150 crews across central and southern Minnesota, including the metro, ready to respond to power outages. The severe threat is forecast to weaken after sunset, but residents should stay tuned to local alerts through the evening.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, including the Twin Cities metro, in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday.
- The Twin Cities metro and southern Minnesota are under a Level 2 'slight' risk for severe storms; central and northern Minnesota are at Level 1 'marginal' risk.
- Forecast timeline: isolated storms early afternoon may bring brief/short‑lived hail, then storms are expected to organize into lines and clusters with the main threat shifting to damaging winds and heavy downpours; the severe threat should wane after sunset.
- Primary hazards include damaging wind gusts around 60–70+ mph, scattered hail up to ping‑pong‑ball size, and a small possibility of tornadoes.
- A specific severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 2:50 p.m. for Dassel, Darwin and Kingston in west‑central Minnesota.
- Xcel Energy says it has about 150 crews staged and ready to respond to power outages in central and southern Minnesota, including the metro.
đź“° Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Xcel Energy says it has 150 crews staged and ready to respond to power outages in central and southern Minnesota, including the metro.
- A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for much of central and southern Minnesota, with the Twin Cities under a level 2 slight risk on Thursday.
- Forecast details: isolated storms early afternoon with short-lived hail threat, then more organized lines and clusters bringing 60+ mph winds, heavy downpours, minor street flooding risk, and a small chance of a tornado; severe threat wanes after sunset.
- NWS has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, including the Twin Cities, until 8 p.m. Thursday.
- The metro and southern Minnesota are explicitly in a Level 2 'slight' risk; central and northern Minnesota are at Level 1 'marginal' risk.
- NWS says possible hazards now include tornadoes, scattered hail up to ping-pong size, and wind gusts up to 70 mph.
- Timeline detail: initial storms shortly after lunchtime may bring brief hail, then organize into lines/clusters with the main threat shifting to damaging winds and heavy downpours capable of minor, short‑lived street flooding.
- A specific severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Dassel, Darwin and Kingston in west‑central Minnesota at 2:50 p.m.