Severe storms swept across parts of the Midwest on Monday, bringing threats of tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. Forecasters warned of a volatile afternoon and evening as conditions favored intense storm development.
Areas of northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin, including the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro areas, were placed under a moderate risk for severe weather. This represents a Level 4 out of 5 risk from the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center.
Threats included the possibility of intense tornadoes, large hail potentially reaching the size of tennis balls, and wind gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour.
A Tornado Watch was issued for portions of southwest and west central Minnesota, remaining in effect through the evening. Officials anticipated issuing additional watches as storms progressed eastward. A Tornado Watch was also in effect for parts of eastern Iowa.
The severe weather prompted School Closings and the cancellation of after-school activities in several districts across the affected regions. Severe weather threat prompts schools to cancel afternoon activities
Storms occurred in multiple rounds during the day. A morning round brought rain and small hail to some areas before a break occurred midday. The main threat was expected to develop in the late afternoon and evening as temperatures climbed.
Storms were expected to form in Minnesota and Iowa before tracking toward Wisconsin. The nature of the storms could influence the primary threat; discrete supercells could produce stronger, longer-track tornadoes, while storms forming in a line might result in weaker tornadoes embedded within damaging straight-line winds. Strong, severe storms possible in Midwest
Residents in the watch areas were urged to ensure they had multiple ways to receive warnings and to review severe weather safety plans.
Matt Mosier, a lead forecaster at the Storm Prediction Center, described the period from late Monday afternoon into the evening as the most dangerous.
