MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for southwestern and southern Minnesota as a strong storm line moves east from South Dakota. Forecasters say the main concern is damaging wind gusts up to 85 mph, with ping pong-sized hail also possible.
The watch covers 18 counties in the state, and weather officials say the system is part of a long-lived storm complex that could approach derecho strength. The threat is expected to continue into the overnight hours.
Where the Watch Stands
The counties included in the Minnesota watch are Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Steele, Waseca and Watonwan. The watch area sits in the southwestern and southern parts of the state.
Officials said the storm line was still moving through South Dakota Saturday evening, with the strongest winds expected to spread into Minnesota later. There was no thunderstorm watch in southwestern Minnesota at the time of the update, but forecasters said one was possible.
Storm Could Intensify
The National Weather Service office in Sioux Falls issued a rare particularly dangerous situation severe thunderstorm watch for South Dakota. That alert warned that some wind gusts could top 100 mph, with sustained bursts of 70 to 85 mph likely during the event.
Forecasters said the main wind threat is expected along the Interstate 90 corridor in the southern and eastern halves of South Dakota. Ping pong-sized hail was listed as the secondary hazard.
What Residents Should Do
Weather officials said people should move to an interior room of the house if severe thunderstorm warnings are issued. The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center had part of Minnesota under an enhanced risk for severe storms through 6 a.m. Sunday.
Another round of severe weather is possible Sunday as well, with Minnesota in a slight risk area for additional storms. Forecasters said they were watching how the system evolves overnight and into early Sunday morning.
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