Cloudy skies with early rain showers: Dangerous weather day setting up for Monday

Mostly cloudy skies expected for the second half of the weekend. Light rain showers will wrap up early Sunday morning, as temperatures rise again into the 60s. A moderate risk for severe weather is shaping up for Monday, with strong tornadoes possible.

Light rain ends early

Very light rain showers moved across the state overnight into early Sunday, totaling just a few hundredths of an inch. The rain will taper off by early Sunday, leaving behind overcast skies.

Seasonal temperatures in the lower to mid-60s for Sunday with south winds 10-20 mph.

A mild evening is ahead, as temperatures only drop into the 50s and 40s up north.

Widespread thunderstorm development is expected overnight for west central to south central Minnesota. Some additional cluster thunderstorms will track from the Dakotas into western Minnesota towards dawn Monday.

The storms expected Sunday night into Monday morning carry the threat of large hail.

Dangerous severe weather for Monday

A major outbreak of severe weather is on the horizon for Monday. The Storm Prediction Center has expanded the moderate risk area west to include St. Cloud, Willmar and Redwood Falls. The moderate risk (level 4 out of 5) is for large hail, damaging winds, and strong tornadoes.

After early morning thunderstorms, a lull is expected until midday. By early afternoon, storms will develop in western Minnesota, forming a line. A second line could form along the cold front a few hours later.

The main tornadic threat will occur in the early evening, with the potential for strong to intense tornadoes.

It’s important to have a severe weather plan ready for when the storms hit on Monday.