Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Southern Minnesota and Nearby Areas Until 10 P.M.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for much of southern Minnesota. The watch is effective from Thursday afternoon until 10:00 p.m. CDT.
What Is Being Forecasted:
Scattered thunderstorms are expected to form, and the following threats have been highlighted:
- Large hail (with diameters possibly reaching 2 inches)
- Damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph
- A slight risk of isolated tornadoes
Areas Included:
The watch has been put in place for:
- Southern and Southeastern Minnesota
- Northwestern and Northern Iowa
- Far Northeastern Nebraska
- West-Central Wisconsin
Timing:
- The watch has been set from 3:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. CDT on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Forecast Details:
Storms are expected to develop and intensify during the evening hours. Some of these may be organized into a linear system as the activity is pushed eastward toward the Mississippi River, particularly through southern Minnesota.
The affected area has been outlined as approximately 65 miles east and west of a line from 25 miles northeast of Minneapolis, MN, to 30 miles south-southwest of Storm Lake, IA.
📢 Residents are urged to stay alert in case new warnings are issued for your area this evening.