A cold front poses a severe weather risk to Minnesota Thursday

A storm sweeping across Minnesota brings windy conditions, a large temperatures contrast, and a severe weather risk to much of the state.

Thursday’s forecast

Ahead of a storm system moving into Minnesota, the state is under the influence of a warm front Thursday morning.

This kept temperatures mild overnight and morning temperatures are in the 50s and 60s. 

The current southerly wind flow is also gusty, and southern Minnesota can expect gusts over 30 and possible 40 mph during the day.

However, the cold front with the storm is already pushing into northwestern Minnesota as of 7 a.m. Thursday. It will slowly move across the state Thursday, finally clearing out of the southeastern corner of the state Friday morning. 

This means southern Minnesota be in the warm sector most of the day, while northern Minnesota starts to feel the influence of cooler air. 

Because of this, highs Thursday will range from 60s northwest to 80s south.

The storm system already pushed a few showers and storm through Minnesota overnight and early Thursday, and spotty activity is possible anytime during the day.

But the main area of showers and storms is associated with the cold front, and as it passes through central Minnesota, severe weather is a concern.

High winds and damaging hail are the primary risk, but isolated tornadoes are also possible. 

For the Twin Cities, there is an isolated severe weather risk, and the timing of storms is most likely in the late evening and overnight.

Southern Minnesota is forecast to see the heavier precipitation with this storm, with some widespread totals over an inch expected.

Quieter weather returns just in time for the weekend.

That extended forecast will be updated around 9 a.m.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.