Intense Thunderstorms, Tornados Possible In MN: See Timing, Forecast

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Intense thunderstorms are expected in parts of Minnesota on Friday and could bring large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes ahead of a dangerously hot weekend, according to the latest forecasts.

An area of high pressure is expected to spawn strong storms in Minnesota, across the Dakotas, northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula on Friday, according to a Fox Weather report. Thunderstorms are expected to develop as early as Friday evening across north-central Minnesota before moving eastward.

The National Weather Service said that while the strongest storms will be confined mostly to northern Minnesota, there's still a chance of severe weather throughout the central portion of the state.

Large hail and damaging winds are possible with the storms, the NWS said.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center said northern Minnesota is inside a Level 3 risk out of 5 for tornadoes. Minneapolis is in the Level 2 zone that stretches from Montana into Michigan.

"Parameters in this area are very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail and tornadoes," NOAA said in a Friday weather outlook.

Heat and humidity also arrive in the state Friday and will lead to a prolonged stretch of extremely high temperatures through Sunday evening.

The Twin Cities metro is under an excessive heat warning starting at noon on Saturday until 9 p.m. Sunday, according to the NWS. Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values of 105 to 110 degrees are expected, forecasters said.

"Low temperatures Saturday night will remain in the mid-70s to lower 80s, providing little relief from the heat," the NWS said.

Looking ahead, multiple rounds of thunderstorms will likely move into the region on Sunday night and continue through midweek, with the potential for heavy rain and flooding where thunderstorms train over the same areas.

Here's a look at the detailed NWS forecast for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area:

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind around 15 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 105. Breezy, with a south-southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 80. South southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a steady temperature around 76. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East northeast wind around 10 mph.

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