Large Hail, Tornadoes Possible In Minnesota On Thursday

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Twin Cities metro faces a heightened risk of severe weather Thursday afternoon and evening, with forecasters warning that all hazards are possible, including very large hail (2 inches or more in diameter), damaging winds over 50 mph, and even isolated tornadoes.

The National Weather Service has placed Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, Dakota, Scott, and Carver counties under an "enhanced risk" (Level 3 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms.

A round of weaker storms is expected to move through western Minnesota earlier in the day. While these morning storms are unlikely to reach the metro in full force, they may help prime the atmosphere for a more dangerous round of storms later in the day, forecasters said.

Forecasters say a lull is expected during the late morning to early afternoon, followed by storm redevelopment between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. as activity pushes east into the Twin Cities. If storms form, they could intensify quickly, tapping into unstable air over eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Strong south-to-southwest winds will also be a factor Thursday, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph possible across southern Minnesota, potentially affecting high-profile vehicles and outdoor activities even before any storms arrive.

Here's the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph becoming south 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Friday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 58. Breezy, with a southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 48. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. West northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. North northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. East northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Monday Night: Showers. Low around 51. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday: Showers. High near 64. Breezy, with an east southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 51. East southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Wednesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. East northeast wind around 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.