Update: Thunderstorms Could Persist for Roseville, Ramsey County

Update (9 a.m. Wednesday): The tornado watch is over but thunderstorms are expected to persist through Wednesday morning and may continue every day through the weekend, according to aHazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service.

A tornado watch went into effect for Roseville and Ramsey County at 6:10 p.m. today, May 1, and will remain in effect until 1 a.m., according to the National Weather Service – Twin Cities (NWS).

A number of other counties in the Twin Cities including Carver, Dakota and Hennepin are also all included in the tornado watch.

A special short term forecast posted later this afternoon for Scott County and the surrounding areas is calling for a line of strong storms to move into southwest and central Minnesota this evening and overnight.

Some of the storms could have strong wind gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour and possibly hail up to nickel size. Rainfall estimates range from a quarter inch to an inch and a quarter from the heaviest showers. 

The NWS has also said the highest risk area for a tornado will be confined to mainly along and north of Interstate 94. However, the severe threat overall will be greater along and west of Interstate 35, which is the area closer to Shakopee. 

A Hazardous Weather Outlook has been posted by the National Weather Service-Twin Cities for much of the Twin Cities area including Shakopee and Scott County starting Tuesday, May 1, and extending through Sunday.

Tuesday brings the greatest risk for severe thunderstorms this week, the NWS said. 

It appears there will be sufficient instability and wind shear to support the development of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds before a cold front arrives, according to the NWS.

The NWS forecast calls for several more bouts of showers and thunderstorms over the next few days. Isolated severe storms are possible again Wednesday and Thursday.