MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Scattered thunderstorms moved across Minnesota on Tuesday afternoon and evening after a day that started with patchy sun and highs in the 70s. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Goodhue and Rice counties and several severe thunderstorm warnings in other parts of the state.
The warned areas included places near and west of the Twin Cities metro, along with counties in western and northwestern Minnesota. Officials said the storms carried threats of hail, strong winds and heavy rain.
Warnings Across the State
A tornado warning was posted for Goodhue and Rice counties until 7 p.m., affecting the Kenyon area and land just south of Nerstrand. Severe thunderstorm warnings were also issued for Meeker and Renville counties until 7:15 p.m., with Olivia, Bird Island and Hector in the warned area.
McLeod, Sibley and Carver counties were under a separate warning until 5:30 p.m., covering Arlington, Glencoe and Henderson. Becker County in northwestern Minnesota and Kandiyohi and Swift counties also had severe thunderstorm warnings during the evening.
Wind, Hail And Rain
The National Weather Service said the storms could bring hail up to the size of a half dollar in some spots and winds as strong as 60 mph. Other warned storms were expected to produce 1-inch hail, gusty winds and heavy downpours.
Forecasters said an isolated tornado could not be ruled out. The strongest storm chances were expected between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., with most activity fading by evening and a few showers lingering overnight in northern Minnesota.
Outages And Forecast Ahead
Minnesota Valley Co-Op reported at least 3,000 customers without power Tuesday evening in Carver and Scott counties. Xcel Energy reported at least 1,000 outages in the Eagan area and another outage in Minnetonka affecting at least 1,500 customers.
It was not clear whether the outages were directly caused by the weather. More isolated storms were possible Wednesday afternoon along and north of the Interstate 94 corridor, while Thursday and Friday were expected to stay dry before humidity and hotter temperatures return over the weekend.
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