Heat index values climb as high as 110 degrees Monday

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Dangerously hot conditions swamped much of Minnesota on Monday, with authorities urging people to take precautions to stay safe amid the sweltering weather.

While many Minnesotans stayed cool in air-conditioned spaces, the heat drove some to find respite in the water — whether at pools or splash pads or beaches.

The volatile mix of heat and humidity also helped fuel severe storms across the northern half of the state, with reports of funnel clouds, large hail and damaging winds.

An extreme heat warning was in place through late Monday night for the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Hinckley, Willmar and Mankato — and until Tuesday night for Rochester and Winona. Temperatures were forecast to reach the 90s — with heat index readings above 100 degrees.

Heat advisories covered much of the rest of central and southern Minnesota.

Rachel Sayre, emergency management director for the city of Minneapolis, said her team was prepared for the dangerous heat, and monitoring for where help might be needed.  

She said people need to take the extreme heat seriously and adjust their plans to stay safe. 

“One, really try to limit your activity to morning and evening hours,” she said. “Two, drink way more fluids — and when I say fluids, I mean water, not caffeine, not alcohol — than you think you need. Wear sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, take a lot of breaks.”

 both have maps online showing cooling centers available to the public.

The Salvation Army in the Twin Cities said it was opening its seven Twin Cities service centers as cooling centers during the heat wave.

Officials also urged people to check on friends, family and neighbors — especially the elderly — and to make sure pets have a cool place to stay.

Tornado sirens sounded Monday in parts of central and northern Minnesota, as a line of destructive storms swept across the region.

There were no immediate confirmed reports of tornado touchdowns in Minnesota. But the storms produced wind gusts of 75 mph and dropped half-dollar-size hail at Wadena just after 11 a.m. There were also reports of wind gusts of 60 mph or greater near Foxhome, Tenney and Federal Dam.

As of early afternoon, several thousand homes and businesses were without power across the state.

That same complex of storms produced winds in excess of 100 mph — including reported gusts of 131 mph — as they raced across South Dakota earlier in the morning.

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Dangerously hot conditions enveloped much of Minnesota on Monday, with authorities urging people to take precautions to stay safe amid the sweltering weather.

Dangerous heat swamps Minnesota, fuels severe storms

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