Live: NWS issues severe thunderstorm watch for Twin Cities until 8 p.m.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Twin Cities metro and surrounding parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin until 8 p.m. Thursday. Forecasters warned of possible tornadoes, hail up to ping-pong ball size, wind gusts up to 70 mph and very heavy downpours that could cause brief street flooding.
The watch covers areas placed at a Level 2 "slight" severe-risk for the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota, while central and northern Minnesota sit in a Level 1 "marginal" risk. Early isolated storms with short-lived hail are expected to develop into lines or clusters this afternoon and evening, shifting the primary threat to damaging straight-line winds and intense rain.
The episode traces back to a surge of warm, humid air into the region that boosted instability and moisture. Meteorologists had been expecting scattered storms Thursday afternoon, but later updates refined the threat and prompted the formal watch as storms were expected to organize.
Residents should secure loose outdoor items, avoid travel during heavy squalls, and move indoors to a sturdy structure if severe weather approaches. Keep phone alerts or a battery-powered radio on and monitor National Weather Service updates until the watch expires at 8 p.m.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- The National Weather Service issued a formal severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, including the Twin Cities metro, until 8 p.m. Thursday.
- Threats include possible tornadoes, scattered hail up to ping‑pong ball size, and damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph.
- Forecast convective evolution: early isolated storms with short‑lived hail are expected to transition into lines or clusters, shifting the primary threat to damaging winds and very heavy downpours.
- Heavy rain accompanying storms could cause minor, short‑lived street flooding in affected areas.
- Risk gradation: the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota are under a Level 2 (slight) severe-weather risk, while central and northern Minnesota are under a Level 1 (marginal) risk.
đź“° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Formal NWS severe thunderstorm watch issued for parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, including the Twin Cities, until 8 p.m. Thursday.
- Threats now specified as possible tornadoes, scattered hail up to ping‑pong size and wind gusts up to 70 mph.
- Clarified spatial risk: Level 2 slight risk for Twin Cities and southern Minnesota vs. Level 1 marginal risk for central/northern Minnesota.
- More precise convective evolution: early isolated storms with short‑lived hail transitioning to lines/clusters with primary damaging‑wind threat and very heavy downpours.
- Explicit mention of potential minor, short‑lived street flooding from heavy rain.