MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A cold front is expected to bring isolated strong storms to Minnesota on Thursday. Here’s a timeline of what to expect.
Severe weather warning issued
A severe weather warning has been issued for parts of Minnesota until September 19, 10:00 p.m. (FOX 9)
A severe weather warning has been issued for the Twin Cities and southeastern Minnesota, as well as parts of western Wisconsin and northern Iowa, until 10 p.m. Thursday.
You can find the latest weather warnings here.
Tornado warning in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin
A tornado warning has been issued for northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin until 11 p.m. A tornado warning has been issued for Carlton County until 6 p.m.
Police reported a tornado near Cotton in St. Louis County.
What to expect
Tropical warmth will lead to rapid storms through late Thursday afternoon as a cold front moves into an unstable air mass.
There is a slight risk of severe weather at Level 2 across the eastern half of Minnesota, while there is a slight risk of severe weather at Level 1 across the western edge of Level 2.
The greatest danger will likely be large hail the size of a golf ball, along with wind gusts over 60 mph and the possibility of an isolated tornado.
“The biggest threat is likely to be heavy hail, but since it’s more isolated, there’s a slightly higher risk of tornadoes,” said FOX 9 meteorologist Cody Matz. “However, no widespread outbreak is expected, so this is ‘only’ a Level 2 day.”
Timing of possible storms on Thursday
MN Weather: Heavy storms are possible on Thursday
Potentially severe storms are expected in the Twin Cities metropolitan area on Thursday afternoon. Eastern Minnesota is being upgraded to Severe Weather Category 2. FOX-9 meteorologist Jared Piepenburg has more details on what to expect.
The FOX 9 coverage area may experience storms between 3 and 9 p.m.; the Twin Cities metropolitan area may experience storms between 4 and 7 p.m. Thursday.
Strong storms have hit southern Minnesota, moving from Owatonna to Winona. These storms are bringing heavy rain and lightning, but are not yet severe as of 5:40 p.m.
Another storm has hit the area around River Falls in the state of Wisconsin. Hail with a diameter of up to 2.5 cm is expected.
In northern Minnesota, storms raged between Moose Lake and Duluth, with severe thunderstorms and a tornado warning issued.
By the evening, the storms will subside, leaving behind mostly clear skies and nighttime lows of around 15 degrees Celsius.
Do you have photos of Thursday’s storms to share? Share them with FOX 9 here: fox9.com/photos
Tracking the storms
As always, it’s a good day to keep an eye on the skies. You can download the FOX 9 Weather app for the latest severe weather and radar updates.
A look into the future
Friday is expected to be a much drier and more pleasant day, as the dew point drops to 10 degrees and temperatures hover around 27 degrees. Enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather before cooler temperatures arrive over the weekend.
Saturday is another warm day, with highs of 27 degrees and the possibility of a few drops in the morning. On Sunday, the first day of fall, temperatures will approach seasonal temperatures again, staying between 18 and 21 degrees to start the week.
