Severe thunderstorm watch until 7 p.m. includes western and central Minnesota

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 7 p.m. for much of western and part of central Minnesota.

Severe storms with large hail up to 2 inches in diameter and destructive winds of 70 to more than 80 mph are possible with storms.

Storms in western Minnesota will move slowly eastward today. Most forecast models suggest storms will arrive in the Twin Cities this evening between about 8 to 11 pm.

Stay tuned for possible additional severe weather watches later this afternoon.

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 579 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK

1215 PM CDT Wed Jul 31 2024

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Western and Central Minnesota Southeast North Dakota Central and Eastern South Dakota

* Effective this Wednesday afternoon and evening from 1215 PM until 700 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include... Scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 80 mph likely Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter possible A tornado or two possible

SUMMARY...Multiple clusters of thunderstorms will likely produce scattered to numerous severe/damaging winds up to 65-80 mph this afternoon as they move east-northeastward. Supercells should develop and pose a greater threat for severe hail generally around 1.5-2.5 inches in diameter, especially in parts of central to northeast South Dakota. A tornado or two also appears possible. The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 75 statute miles north and south of a line from 90 miles west southwest of Aberdeen SD to 50 miles northeast of Alexandria MN.