Severe weather threat Thursday afternoon and evening

Strong showers and thunderstorms are possible late Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening as a cold front marches across the state. The primary threats include large hail, damaging winds and a potential for tornadoes.

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a slight risk for severe (2/5) for the eastern half of Minnesota. Current scenario suggests that scattered thunderstorms will develop by mid to late afternoon across central/eastern Minnesota into northern/central Iowa along or just ahead of the cold front.

The storms are expected to begin as isolated cells but will rapidly evolve into a strong line of thunderstorms. These lines may bring stronger wind gusts as they move through.

Moisture will continue to push northward, fueling the thunderstorms. Dew points are expected to rise into the upper 60s and lower 70s through Thursday night.

Storms are expected to reach the Twin Cities area sometime between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

We will continue to monitor the severe weather threat throughout the late afternoon evening hours. For up-to-date storm information, visit our Updraft blog.