Volatile System To Bring Severe Storms, High Winds To St. Michael

ST. MICHAEL, MN — St. Michael could be hit with a series of severe thunderstorms Wednesday into Thursday, with forecasters also warning of winds above 80 mph.

The National Weather Service is forecasting “an unprecedented outbreak of severe thunderstorms” for December in the Twin Cities metro, with storms set to “race” across southern and eastern Minnesota into Wisconsin between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Widespread wind damage is likely, according to forecasters, who said tornadoes are also possible Wednesday.

“Today’s volatile day of weather has not been seen before in December,” the National Weather Service said.

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The National Weather Service on Wednesday morning issued a hazardous weather outlook for much of the Twin Cities metro, including Wright County, that says “conditions will deteriorate very quickly” Wednesday evening.

“Unless preparations are made ahead of time, it may be hard to take adequate shelter when one notices storms beginning to approach,” the NWS said, warning of “damaging” wind.

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A flash freeze is likely overnight, with temperatures due to plunge into the low 20s, the NWS said.

Here is the NWS forecast for St. Michael:

Wednesday
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. Patchy fog before 11 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Wednesday Night
Rain showers, snow showers, and freezing rain before 3 a.m., then a chance of snow showers and freezing drizzle between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 20. Windy, with an east southeast wind 10 to 20 mph becoming west 25 to 35 mph. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 24. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.