P.M. thunderstorm chance northern Minnesota

Strong to severe thunderstorms swept across much of Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin Friday and Friday evening.

This tornado was near Brownton in McLeod County around 5:45 p.m. on Friday:

According to the NWS Storm Prediction Center, there were at least nine tornadoes in Minnesota Friday/Friday evening:

This is the preliminary tally, and NWS storm survey crews will give updated info when it becomes available. Listed times are in Universal time, which is 5 hours ahead of CDT. For example 2038 is 3:38 p.m. CDT.

There were also many reports of storm damage in Minnesota due to straight-line winds and a few reports of large hail. Additional severe weather reports can be found here.

The Twin Cities NWS office plans to send out a survey crew to look at the storm damage in the Robbinsdale/Crystal area.

Nicer day today

Our Saturday will be relatively quiet in most areas. The northern third of Minnesota and parts of northwestern Wisconsin may see some scattered thunderstorms late Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening. Scattered severe weather will also be possible in the north:

Comfortable temps

Saturday highs will be in the 70s across much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin, with some lower 80s in the south and far west:

The Twin Cities forecast high of 80 this Saturday is very close to our average Aug. 15 high of 81 degrees.

Saturday afternoon dew points will be in the relatively comfortable 50s:

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

This Updraft blog will be updated by around 10 a.m. with updated info on your Sunday weather and a look at the week ahead.

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.