Saturday afternoon thunderstorm update

There have been some areas of strong to severe thunderstorms this Saturday afternoon in western Minnesota and parts of central Minnesota. Some of those thunderstorms had spread into east-central and southeastern Minnesota by mid afternoon. T-storms will continue to spread eastward the remainder of this afternoon.

The National Weather Service reported that thunderstorms caused extensive tree damage and some structural damage in the city of Granite Falls just before 2 p.m. this Saturday. Several trees were also reported down between Granite Falls and Sacred Heart in Renville county. Some downed power lines were also reported in Granite Falls and Sacred Heart.

Be alert to the possibility of severe weather this afternoon. Additional thunderstorms are possible this evening and overnight.

You can hear updated weather information on the MPR network, and you’ll see updated weather info on the MPR News live weather blog.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center shows a slight risk of severe weather (shaded yellow) Saturday afternoon/evening and overnight in much of southern Minnesota and parts of central Minnesota. Slight risk means that scattered severe thunderstorms are possible:

There is a marginal risk of severe weather (dark green) across most of the remainder of Minnesota plus Wisconsin. Marginal risk means that an isolated severe thunderstorm is possible. The Storm Prediction Center will update the severe weather outlook this evening

An updated Updraft will be posted later this afternoon or early Saturday evening.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.: