UPDATED: Severe Thunderstorm Warning Expires

UPDATED: 7:40 a.m.

Power has been to restored to all but six Northfield customers and three Dundas customers.

UPDATED: 4:50 a.m.

The warning has expired.

UPDATED: 4:40 a.m.

Xcel Energy is reporting that power is out for 67 customers in Dundas and the south side of Northfield. Power is expected to be restored by 7:18 a.m.

________

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Rice County until 4:45 a.m.

A storm capable of producing winds in excess of 75 mph is working its way through the area, accoridng to the National Weather Service. The storm is also producing hail.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 8 a.m. A flash flood watch is also in effect as 6 inches of rain is possible over the next two days.

Stick with Patch for developments.

According to the NWS:

AT 400 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 75 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF JORDAN TO MONTGOMERY TO KILKENNY...MOVING EAST AT 65 MPH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR DESTRUCTIVE WINDS...WHICH CAN UPROOT TREES...DOWN POWER LINES...AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO WINDOWS. EVACUATE MOBILE HOMES AS THEY MAY BE OVERTURNED. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING DESTRUCTIVE WINDS AND LARGE DAMAGING HAIL. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS!

The forecast:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10am. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 92. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 6 to 9 mph increasing to between 22 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Increasing clouds, with a low around 71. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 17 to 20 mph decreasing to between 7 and 10 mph. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. 

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. West southwest wind between 7 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. 

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. West wind between 5 and 7 mph.