Heat Near 100 Builds Before More Severe Storms Hit MN Wednesday

MINNESOTA — Severe storms could bring damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes to parts of Minnesota and western Wisconsin on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS Twin Cities office said storms are expected to develop Wednesday afternoon along and east of Interstate 35. The main window for severe weather is from noon to 8 p.m.

Much of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin faces an enhanced risk for severe weather, which is Level 3 of 5 on the Storm Prediction Center scale.

The enhanced risk area includes far eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Mankato, Rochester and other areas are in a slight risk area, or Level 2 of 5.

“Severe weather is possible, with a higher-end wind, hail and tornado threat,” the NWS said in its Wednesday morning briefing.

The NWS also issued a hazardous weather outlook covering central and southern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin.

Additional severe storms are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening, mainly along and east of the I-35 corridor, according to the outlook. Those storms could produce large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.

SKYWARN spotter activation will likely be needed Wednesday afternoon and evening, the NWS said.

The severe weather threat comes as early summer heat builds across the region. Temperatures are expected to warm into the 90s Wednesday ahead of the afternoon storm threat, with heat index values climbing into the 90s to around 100 across southern and eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, according to the NWS.

At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, showers and thunderstorms are likely Wednesday, mainly before 3 p.m. The high will reach near 88, with southwest winds of 10 to 15 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph.

The NOAA Weather Radio weekly test was postponed Wednesday because of the severe weather threat.

“This is a good time to ensure you have multiple ways to receive watches/warnings that may be issued later today,” the NWS said.

Residents should keep phones charged, monitor the latest forecast and be ready to move indoors quickly if warnings are issued.

Check out the full NWS forecast from the MSP Airport below:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday: Showers likely before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1pm and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 57. West wind around 15 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light west northwest in the evening.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Light northwest wind becoming west northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light west in the evening.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. West wind 5 to 10 mph.