Early Wednesday, a line of thunderstorms moved into the Twin Cities metro, prompting severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of the metro and surrounding counties. Multiple counties across western and central Minnesota—and into western Wisconsin—were under seve
At 3 a.m., the sky over the Twin Cities metro was already doing what Tuesday’s heat had promised: rolling thunder, lightning, and wind gusts reported at more than 40 mph.
A line of thunderstorms pushed into the Twin Cities metro early Wednesday morning. Reports included 40+ mph wind gusts, thunder, and lightning. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for parts of the northeast metro—Anoka. Chisago. Ramsey and Washington counties—and it extends into parts of Wisconsin. including Polk and St. Croix counties. Small hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible. The warning remains in place until 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Central Minnesota wasn’t spared. A special weather statement was issued for areas of Ramsey, Elk River and Otsego until 4 a.m. Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea-sized hail are possible.
Earlier still, more warnings were already active across central Minnesota. A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect until 3:45 a.m. for Clearwater, Pennington, Polk and Red Lake counties. Otter Tail County was under a thunderstorm warning until 3:15 a.m. Lightning. thunder and wind gusts around 40 mph were starting to show up in the Twin Cities metro as the storms moved through.
By 2:40 a.m. the National Weather Service had issued a special weather statement for the Twin Cities metro area. including Minneapolis. St. Paul and Bloomington, until 3:30 a.m. Wind up to 40 mph and pea-size hail were possible. The Twin Cities metro also remained under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 7 a.m.
The broader watch-and-warning picture stretched well beyond the metro. As severe storms pushed into southwestern Minnesota and tracked east toward the northeast. the National Weather Service issued a new Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 7 a.m. It includes the entire Twin Cities Metro area and extends northwest to St. Cloud and southeast to Mankato, Northfield, Austin and Rochester, reaching into western Wisconsin.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were also posted for Swift and Chippewa counties until 2 a.m., with cities impacted including Benson, Appleton and Milan, Minnesota. The storm there was expected to contain wind gusts up to 80 mph.
In another stretch of the warning map, the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine counties until 1:30 a.m., with communities impacted including Canby, Madison and Dawson, Minnesota.
For parts of far northwestern Minnesota, the risk carried a different label. A Tornado Watch was in effect until 3 a.m. Wednesday for Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock counties. Separately, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch was also in effect until 4 a.m.
The big storm setup started earlier in the night. Thunderstorms were expected to develop in the Dakotas this evening. then move into western Minnesota around midnight before spreading east overnight. The greatest storm chances ran from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. in western and central Minnesota, and from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. in the Twin Cities metro.
That threat wasn’t just theoretical. Western and central Minnesota were under a level 2 slight risk and level 3 enhanced risk of severe weather. while the Twin Cities metro remained under a level 1 and level 2 risk. The primary threat was damaging wind gusts over 60 mph. Large hail ranging from 0.50 to 1.50 inches in diameter was also possible, along with localized heavy downpours. An extremely isolated quick spin-up tornado could not be ruled out.
Even as storms moved east, uncertainty remained. Storms were expected to weaken as they moved into a more stable environment. but they may still produce strong winds and heavy rain overnight. How storms evolved could also affect the potential for another round of storms Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Looking ahead, Wednesday stays warm and humid with patchy sunshine and additional storm chances through the afternoon and evening. The Twin Cities metro. much of Wisconsin. and parts of Iowa and Illinois are under a level 3 enhanced risk for severe weather. where damaging winds. large hail. and isolated tornadoes could be possible.
The timing is what will matter most now: storms are already moving through, warnings are active across multiple counties, and the next round—depending on how this first push behaves—could come later Wednesday.
Minnesota thunderstorms Twin Cities severe weather severe thunderstorm warning severe thunderstorm watch hail damaging winds tornado watch special weather statement Wednesday morning weather
So glad I’m not in Minnesota right now… why does it always hit at like 3am.
They said wind gusts 40 mph and 60 mph possible but like… 60 mph is basically tornado speed?? I guess hail is next. Hope people took shelter.
Wait I thought “severe thunderstorm warning” is basically just a suggestion? Like if it was really bad they would do a tornado warning instead. Also the article says Wisconsin too so that’s crazy for everyone driving across the border.
This is why I don’t trust the weather app. It’s always “pea-sized hail” like that makes it not a big deal. They keep extending it until 4am and then it’s still under a watch until 7am… so which one is it? Also Tuesday’s heat caused it? That’s what they said but could’ve been anything honestly.