Tornado watch includes southeast Twin Cities until 8 p.m.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado watch until 8 p.m. that includes much of southeast Minnesota. It also includes the southeast Twin Cities, specifically Dakota County.

For up to the minute storm warnings and updates, check out the MPR severe weather live blog.

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Tornado Watch Number 16 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK

240 PM CST Wed Mar 10 2021 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Tornado Watch for portions of central and northeastern Iowa southeastern Minnesota a small portion of west central Wisconsin

* Effective this Wednesday afternoon and evening from 240 PM until 800 PM CST.

* Primary threats include... A couple tornadoes possible Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY...Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to develop by late this afternoon. This may include a few supercells with the potential to produce tornadoes, before a broken squall line evolves and advances eastward with damaging wind gusts likely becoming the primary severe hazard this evening. The tornado watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles east and west of a line from 25 miles north northeast of Rochester MN to 5 miles southeast of Des Moines IA. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU6).