Damaging Winds, Hail, Tornadoes Possible In MN Wednesday

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Minnesotans could see another round of severe weather Wednesday, with damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes all possible, according to the National Weather Service.

The greatest threat Wednesday is expected along and east of the Interstate 35 corridor, including the Twin Cities metro, eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

The National Weather Service said severe storms could develop Wednesday afternoon and evening, though the threat will depend in part on what happened with storms overnight into Wednesday morning.

“Severe thunderstorms will have the potential to produce large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes Wednesday afternoon and evening,” the NWS Twin Cities office said in its hazardous weather outlook.

The storm threat comes as heat shifts farther east Wednesday. Heat index values are expected to climb into the 90s to around 100 across southern and eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, forecasters said.

At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Wednesday’s forecast calls for a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. The high is expected to reach near 90, with south winds of 15 to 20 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph.

The overnight storm threat was expected to begin in western Minnesota late Tuesday before reaching western Wisconsin after 4 a.m. Wednesday. The main threats overnight included frequent lightning, strong winds, heavy downpours and hail, with the greatest severe risk west of I-35, according to the weather service.

The weather service said storms that redevelop Wednesday afternoon could bring a “higher-end” wind, hail and tornado threat.

Residents should monitor the latest forecast throughout the day, especially if they have outdoor plans Wednesday afternoon or evening.

Wednesday forecast for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport:

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Breezy, with a south wind of 15 to 20 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph.

Wednesday night forecast:

A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 63.