MINNESOTA — A tornado watch has been issued for portions of northwestern Minnesota as forecasters warn that severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds are expected through Monday evening.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 415 remains in effect until 10 p.m. CDT Monday for the following Minnesota counties: Clay, Kittson, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau and Wilkin.
The watch comes as the Storm Prediction Center forecasts severe thunderstorms across the Dakotas and the Upper Midwest through tonight. Northwestern Minnesota is under an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe weather, indicating scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms are expected.
Forecasters say the greatest threat is expected between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., with hazards including damaging wind gusts up to 75 mph, hail up to the size of golf balls and the potential for tornadoes.
Residents in the watch area are encouraged to closely monitor weather conditions, have multiple ways to receive warnings, and be prepared to take shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued.
