Tornado watch until 8 p.m. includes Twin Cities, large swath of central Minnesota and eastern Wisconsin

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Our heat wave is ending with a potentially stormy Thursday. Some storms could be strong to severe. The National Weather Service has a tornado watch up for much of central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities through 8 p.m.

Windy, cooler weather settles in Thursday night into Friday. 

Potential for strong storms Thursday, then windy and much cooler 

We have ongoing storms across central Minnesota Thursday morning. Potentially severe storms will develop Thursday early to midafternoon across central and eastern Minnesota into western Wisconsin that will then track north and northeast. 

Showers linger into Friday and even early Saturday up north. 

The second round of potential severe weather is focused in eastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin where an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5, in orange below) is forecast for severe storms. 

Storms that develop could produce very large hail, strong winds and even a few possible tornadoes. Storms look to pop right on top of the Twin Cities and central Minnesota and then gain steam where they will likely be more severe just north and east of the Twin Cities. 

In addition to the storms, behind the cold front, which will be swinging in from the southwest, we’ll have very gusty winds, potentially over 50 mph in southwestern Minnesota. 

A wind advisory is in effect for southwestern Minnesota Thursday afternoon into the evening but all of us will see gusty winds.

Much cooler air moves in Thursday night into Friday and the weekend. 

Friday will be produce lots of clouds, occasional showers and windy conditions. Highs will range from the low 60s to mostly 50s.

The cooler air will set us up for colder nights Friday and Saturday nights too. Saturday night looks the coldest with potential patchy frost up north in areas that were in the 80s and 90s this week!

We should see some sun and dry weather Sunday but more rain is possible Tuesday and temperatures look to be below normal into at least the middle of next week. 

Sven Sundgaard

Author

Our heat wave is ending with a potentially stormy Thursday. Some storms could be strong to severe. Windy, cooler weather settles in Thursday night into Friday. 

Thursday’s brings severe weather risk to Minnesota. A couple rounds of storms could produce large hail and possible wind damage.

Potential for severe storms Thursday followed by windy, cooler weather

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