MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Severe storms moved through Minnesota Wednesday, and forecasters said the activity was easing into a quieter night. The National Weather Service issued multiple watches and warnings during the afternoon as storms brought reports of large hail and brief heavy rain.
By early evening, warnings were in effect for parts of west-central, central and east-central Minnesota, including Chisago County. Officials also reported egg-sized hail near Glenwood, while storm cells were forming over the Twin Cities and moving east.
Where warnings were posted
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Glenwood, Starbuck and Long Beach until 5:15 p.m., with Pope County possibly seeing golf-ball-sized hail. Another warning covered Sauk Centre, Long Prairie, Osakis and Swanville until 5:45 p.m.
Later, a warning was issued for Chisago County until 6:15 p.m. Forecasters said some storm cells were also developing over the northern, central and southern parts of the Twin Cities, where they were expected to move through quickly.
Threats from the storms
The main hazards were scattered large hail and isolated hail stones as large as two inches. Wind gusts up to 65 miles per hour were also possible, along with the chance of one or two tornadoes.
Forecasters also warned that the most intense storms could bring baseball-size hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. The severe weather outlook placed eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin in a level 3 enhanced risk, with central Minnesota at level 2 slight risk and western Minnesota at level 1 marginal risk.
More storms possible later
Weather officials said additional storms could redevelop from late morning through the afternoon and evening as the atmosphere recharged. The timing and exact locations remained uncertain, but any new storms could again turn severe.
Two severe thunderstorm watches were set to expire at 7 p.m. Wednesday. One covered central and northern Minnesota, and the other stretched across far southeast Minnesota, most of Wisconsin and eastern Iowa.
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