Central and southern Minnesota could see thunderstorms, high winds, large hail and tornadoes

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The atmosphere is setting the stage for strong to severe thunderstorms Monday afternoon and evening, with the highest risk south of a line from Redwood Falls through the Twin Cities to Eau Claire, Wis.

Active weather week ahead: Severe storms possible Monday afternoon and evening

If you’re in southern Minnesota or western Wisconsin, Monday is a day to stay weather-aware. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted an area from Redwood Falls east through the Twin Cities and Eau Claire, Wis., including areas south, with an enhanced risk (level 3 out of 5). This means the atmosphere has all the ingredients in place for what could become a volatile weather day.

Storms are expected to develop between 3 and 6 p.m. and continue into the evening hours. The most intense activity will likely occur within a 2–3 hour window after storms first form, so things could escalate quickly.

The main threats include large hail, potentially as big as tennis balls or even baseballs, along with damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes. 

Early storms may remain more isolated as supercells, but as the evening progresses, storms may merge into clusters and shift the primary threat toward strong winds.

Temperatures and dew points will surge northward with the advancing warm front. Highs will climb into the mid to upper 70s across southern areas, while cooler 50s and 60s linger north of the boundary.

Conditions quiet down on Tuesday with dry weather expected locally while storms develop farther to the southeast. However, the break will be brief. Another system will bring chances for showers and thunderstorms back to the region Wednesday afternoon and evening, especially across southern and eastern Minnesota into Wisconsin.

Looking ahead to Friday, another round of strong to severe storms is possible. A warm and humid air mass will build ahead of a strong cold front, and thunderstorms are expected to develop during the afternoon. 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Homepage

Mandy Thalhuber

Author

The atmosphere is setting the stage for strong to severe thunderstorms Monday afternoon and evening, with the highest risk south of a line from Redwood Falls through the Twin Cities to Eau Claire, Wis.


NOAA via Storm Prediction Center

National Weather Service

Forecast precipitation Monday 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

NOAA via Pivotal Weather

Forecast precipitation Wednesday 7 a.m. to Thursday 7 a.m. 

Active weather week ahead: Severe storms possible Monday afternoon

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox