Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Mid-day Wednesday severe weather potential update

Update on severe weather potential

A strong weather system combined with abundant moisture are setting the stage for what might become an unusually strong severe weather outbreak so far north during October.

The Storm Prediction Center posted their usual late-morning updated outlook for the rest of Wednesday and Wednesday night. The bullseye on the target might be from central Wisconsin to Upper Michigan.

Oct 3 - conv outlook
Updated severe weather outlook posted late Wednesday morning. NOAA Storm Prediction Center

Strong storm development likely

Key messages:

  • Strong and possibly severe thunderstorms are likely to develop Wednesday afternoon and into the evening over parts of east central and southeastern Minnesota.

  • The greatest risk of severe storms in Minnesota is likely to be approximately between the Twin Cities and Caledonia in the southeastern corner of the state, represented in the yellow color above. All forms of severe weather including hail, wind damage and tornadoes will be possible. What the Storm Prediction Center refers to as "significant tornadoes" are not out of the question.

  • Strong and severe storms are will continue to strengthen as they advance eastward across Wisconsin. Note the orange area of an enhanced risk of severe weather by Wednesday evening across a large portion of central to northeastern Wisconsin and eventually into Michigan.

  • Stay weather-aware through Wednesday evening.

One small batch of thunderstorms already had built from southeastern Minnesota across the Mississippi River into Wisconsin by early Wednesday afternoon.

Oct 3 - radar
Weather radar at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Twin Cities National Weather Service

And click here to check out useful local weather links that MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner posted earlier in the day.