Severe storms possible Monday; cooler Tuesday

We’ve had one round of severe storms early for some and another will develop this afternoon and evening. Behind the system, it will be cooler and pleasant the rest of the week.

Late night/early morning severe storm reports

Storms rumbled through parts of southwest and central Minnesota in the very early morning hours of Memorial Day. Between about 3 and 5 AM, severe storms produced high wind gusts, knocking down trees.

Olivia reported an 84 mph gust and Sauk Centre reported a 65 mph wind gust.

More severe weather develops Monday afternoon

A fairly rare (for Minnesota) moderate risk (level 4 out of 5) of severe storms is forecast for western Minnesota Monday afternoon.

After morning thunderstorm activity moves through, we’ll see some partial clearing and it will become steamy as temperatures soar into the 80s with dew points in the 60s and low 70s.

Storms that initially develop this afternoon in western Minnesota could produce tornadoes as the atmosphere will have ample shear with a front and low pressure area moving through. Shear is caused by winds moving in different directions, at different speeds allowing storms to spin.

Storms will likely fill into a squall line and produce more of a high wind gust, large hail threat for eastern Minnesota later in the evening.

Comfortable and pleasant behind the storm system

Behind the system, it will be cooler and much more pleasant. We could have a few lingering showers early Tuesday with decreasing clouds. Highs will be in the 60s north, 70s south.

We’ll see ample sunshine and temps continuing in the low to mid 70s south, 60s north through the rest of the week.