UPDATE (Noon): Rain and storms began moving into northwestern Minnesota around noontime Friday. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service is tracking storms in the Dakotas that are producing wind gusts strong enough to knock down tree limbs.
The office in Grand Forks, North Dakota, says that the storms are developing as they move toward the Minnesota border, adding that they threaten to produce quarter-size hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes. Heavy rain could also lead so some localized flash flooding.
Storms are expected to increase this afternoon, posing the risk for tornadoes, hail up to the size of quarters, and damaging wind gusts. Additionally, heavy rain may pose the risk for flash flooding. Make sure to have a plan in place if you are outdoors this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/ixetEyn4UW
— NWS Grand Forks (@NWSGrandForks) August 20, 2021
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Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says this line of storms is expected to reach western Minnesota around 3 p.m., at which point the storms could become severe. Through the early evening, these storms will evolve into a line that cuts across central Minnesota, with heavy rain possibly masking any tornadoes that develop.
As the line moves east toward the Twin Cities through the late evening, the threat for tornadoes will diminish although damaging winds will still be possible.
Do you have the free @wcco weather app? Yes? Good; you’re already getting our alerts when there is a warning issued for your location. Did you know that there are also custom weather updates that we send to you (like this one)? To get the app go to https://t.co/OqOFUUoOkq #mnwx pic.twitter.com/1L1zi1bYRT
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) August 20, 2021
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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — After days of dry, steamy weather with temperatures in the 90s, thunderstorms are expected to wash over Minnesota on Friday, and some of them could be severe.
Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak say the storms will likely develop in western Minnesota in the afternoon and push eastward across the state, hitting the Twin Cities in the late evening hours.
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The National Weather Service has listed much of central Minnesota, including the metro, under a slight risk of severe weather. Threats include damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes and heavy rain. Forecasters say the storms will likely weaken as they approach western Wisconsin.
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Following the storms will come cooler air and a significant drop in humidity. Saturday’s temperatures are only expected to reach the low 70s. Temperatures will remain mild on Sunday, when there is another chance for rain.
Rain becomes likely by Friday evening, but so does severe weather. Slight risk continues into the overnight hours @WCCO pic.twitter.com/bpGJyD1Gqo
— Riley O’Connor (@RileyOConnorwx) August 19, 2021
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More rainfall and storms are expected early next week. Over the next five days, some communities could see more than 2 inches of rain, particularly in drought-stricken north-central and northwestern Minnesota.
According to the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, those areas are experiencing extreme and exceptional drought conditions. Meanwhile, nearly 90% of the state is under severe drought conditions.
Wildfires burning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior National Forest may also be dampened by the coming rain.
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Source: CBS Minnesota
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