Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Effect for Southern Minnesota

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for a large portion of southern Minnesota, in effect until 10:00 pm tonight.

Scattered hail up to tennis ball size, damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, and a couple of tornadoes are all possible.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and near the watch area.

Stay weather aware and have multiple ways to receive warnings.

Southern Minnesota counties in the Severe Thunderstorm Watch include Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Rice, Sibley, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona Counties (+more), plus the entire Twin Cities metro area.

Know The Difference Between Watches & WarningsWatches

Are issued when conditions are favorable for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms or flash floods. If you are in a watch area, continue with normal activities but also make plans to seek shelter if necessary.

Warnings

Are issued when severe weather has been reported or is imminent. Seek shelter immediately if you are in or near the path of the storm. Warnings are issued by county and city names. Make sure you know the name of the county in which you live and the cities that surround you.

Advance Information

The forecast and warning process begins one or more days ahead of time, when the threat area is determined. Hazardous weather outlooks are issued early every morning, and updated as conditions warrant.

If a Watch is Issued

Local weather offices are staffed with extra personnel. State officials are notified and they pass the information to the county and local level. Counties and cities activate their spotter groups as the threat increases. TV and radio stations pass the word to the public.

If a Warning is Issued

Warnings are disseminated swiftly in a multitude of ways, including TV, radio, and over the internet. Advances in technology have allowed people to receive warnings via cell phone, pager, and numerous other methods. Spotters provide important reports on the storm, and emergency officials carry out the plans that the emergency managers have developed. Updates are issued frequently until the immediate threat has ended.

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