Duluth, Minnesota — Severe storms are on the way for Minnesota, bringing heavy rain, hail, and the potential for damaging winds beginning Sunday night. The National Weather Service has issued an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 out of 5) for severe storms, with widespread moderate rain and flash flooding concerns throughout the state.
According to the NWS, Sunday evening will see isolated storms in the Brainerd Lakes area, with some strong, non-severe thunderstorms possible. The situation will intensify by Monday morning, with thunderstorms expected from sunrise to mid-morning, impacting areas across the Northland, including Duluth and Hibbing. Monday afternoon will bring a resurgence of severe weather, possibly dependent on how skies clear earlier in the day.
Local residents should prepare for up to 2.5 inches of rainfall, particularly in northern Minnesota. The rain could cause minor flooding and lead to hazardous driving conditions, including potential ponding on roads. The risk of flash flooding remains low but not insignificant, with a 5-15% chance across the area, especially during the afternoon and evening thunderstorms.
Drivers should avoid non-essential travel, especially in areas forecast to see the heaviest rain. Power outages may also occur due to strong winds or hail. Stay alert and monitor local weather updates as the storm system progresses into Tuesday morning.
