Funnel Cloud Spotted in Hopkins As Tornado Warning Ends

UPDATE: A funnel cloud was spotted in Hopkins near Excelsior and 169, according to news reports.

The spotting came as the storm was leaving Hopkins. The west metro was emerging out of a tornado warning that was in effect for Edina, Richfield, St. Louis Park, Lake Minnetonka, Hopkins, Golden Valley and Southwest Minneapolis.

As of 8:30 p.m., the storm was in St. Louis Park and moving northeast. Minnetonka and Hopkins were clear.

A less-severe tornado watch remains through midnight.

The National Weather Service in Chanhassen issued a tornado watch and a storm warning, urging residents to take shelter immediately and prepare for an onslaught of large hail as a severe storm makes its way through the area.

"Seek shelter now inside a sturdy structure and stay away from the windows," the agency advised in the warning, which was issues at 7:23 p.m.

The warning applied to the towns of Burnsville, Savage, Shakopee, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Richfield, Prior Lake, Jordan, Marystown, and Credit River.

The warning lasts until 8:45 p.m. Although the storm was originally predicted to produce quarter-sized hail and high winds, news stations captured photos of golf ball-sized hail. In Hopkins, some pieces were about the diameter of a penny.

At about 7:50, the agency also issued a tornado watch for Dakota, Scott, Hennepin, Ramsey, Carver, Washington, Anoka and Rice. The warning will end at midnight.

A tornado was also reported about a mile south of St. Michael.