Tornado Watch Issued in Minnesota and Wisconsin Amid Severe Weather Alerts

Source: FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

Severe Weather Conditions Prompt Tornado Watch

On Thursday, Minnesota and Wisconsin residents were put on alert as a tornado watch was issued due to strong storms rolling into the area. The National Weather Service announced that the watch would remain in effect until 8 PM CDT, highlighting the potential for severe weather that could bring tornadoes, large hail, and wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph.

Tornado Warnings in Effect for Multiple Counties

The situation escalated quickly as several tornado warnings were issued across numerous counties. The following tornado warnings were reported:

• Tornado Warning until 4:00 PM CDT for Saint Croix County and Polk County.
• Tornado Warning from 3:30 PM CDT until 4:00 PM CDT for Pepin County, Eau Claire County, and Dunn County.
• Tornado Warning until 3:45 PM CDT for Dunn County and Pepin County.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 4:15 PM CDT for Buffalo County.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning from 3:34 PM CDT until 4:15 PM CDT for Winona, Houston, Mille Lacs, Kanabec, and La Crosse Counties.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning from 3:25 PM CDT until 4:00 PM CDT for Aitkin County.

Residents are advised to stay alert and attentive to the latest updates regarding the severe weather conditions.

Latest Reports of Tornadoes and Severe Weather

According to the National Weather Service, there were confirmed reports of tornadoes in central Minnesota. Notable observations include:

– A tornado that was reported near Melrose, approximately 30 miles northwest of St. Cloud at around 2:52 PM.
– Another tornado sighting occurred near Spring Hill, close to Melrose, which paid a toll on the landscape by leaving behind debris.

In response to these developments, the weather service issued tornado warnings for areas around Stearns and Todd counties. Notably, at around 2:25 PM, a doppler-indicated tornado warning was issued for downtown Minneapolis, despite no visible tornadoes being reported in the area. This prompted power outages, affecting over 2,500 customers in the Twin Cities as the storm passed through.

Strong Storms Expected Throughout the Afternoon

Weather experts are closely monitoring the storms expected to develop this afternoon. The timing for these occurrences is projected between noon and 7 PM on Thursday. The system is expected to start in central and southern Minnesota, advancing north and east. Here are key points regarding what to expect:

– **High Probability of Severe Weather**: Areas with a higher likelihood of severe weather include western Wisconsin and regions along the northern end of the I-35 corridor.
– **Storm Intensity**: Storms may produce large hail sized from 1 to 2 inches, wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, and the isolated risk of tornado activity.
– **Weather Risks**: Parts of central Minnesota are currently under a Level 2 and Level 3 risk classification for severe weather.

Cooler Temperatures After the Storms

Following this intense weather period, a significant drop in temperature is expected. The Twin Cities can look forward to a high around 81 degrees on Thursday, but conditions will cool down substantially as Friday will see temperature highs dipping to the 50s. By the weekend, temperatures are anticipated to rebound slightly, with highs reaching the 60s on Sundays.

As the storms continue to develop, residents are encouraged to stay proactive and prepared. It is critical to stay updated via local weather channels and announcements from the authorities.

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tornado watch, severe weather, Minnesota, Wisconsin, National Weather Service, storm alerts, tornado warnings, downtown Minneapolis, weather forecast, central Minnesota