Twin Cities risk level rises for severe weather Thursday
Severe thunderstorm watch posted from Iowa border to Canada
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The potential for severe storms Thursday has risen for the Twin Cities region and parts of central and southern Minnesota. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center has raised its severe weather risk from “slight” to “enhanced.” (See the map above.)
The potential for damaging winds and large hail with be our primary threats. We cannot rule out an isolated tornado or two.
Just after 2:30 p.m., NOAA posted a widespread severe thunderstorm watch:
Our cold front currently sitting in the Dakotas will continue to bring the threat for showers and thunderstorms for western Minnesota early Thursday afternoon. Storms are expected in the metro area between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
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We see a strong signature of higher dew points already blowing in from the south. Dew points in the upper 60s to low 70s already before the noon hour Thursday. Look for dew points to continue to rise into the lower to mid 70s by tonight, mainly for central and southern Minnesota.
Thousands are still without power after we saw two rounds of severe weather hit the metro area Monday night into Tuesday morning. Storm clean up still continues more than 48 hours later, as another chance for severe looms.
Recap of previous storms
Two separate rounds of bow echo thunderstorms moved through Monday night, and then again early Tuesday morning. The first round of thunderstorms hit the metro around between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Below is a summary of the multiple reports received:
The second bow echo came early Tuesday morning around 5 a.m. It strengthened right before hitting the Interstate 35 corridor and caused major damage in the St. Paul area.
Below are some of the stronger wind damage reports:
Pleasant Labor Day weekend ahead
After the passage of the cold front on Thursday, temperatures return to seasonal or slightly below seasonal in the 70s, and some lower 80s for Saturday. Not quite the sweltering end to summer that most of us look forward too, but after a busy severe weather week; the quiet is welcomed.
