Duluth, Minnesota – Strong thunderstorms could disrupt travel and outdoor plans across northeast Minnesota Thursday afternoon, with wind gusts up to 60 mph capable of downing tree limbs and causing scattered power outages between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, isolated severe storms are expected to develop during the late afternoon and move east through the evening. The primary hazard is damaging wind, but forecasters say a brief tornado cannot be ruled out, along with pockets of hail.
The risk zone includes Duluth, Superior, Hibbing, Grand Rapids, Two Harbors, and Ashland. Storms are expected to initiate inland before tracking toward Lake Superior, potentially impacting U.S. Highway 53, Interstate 35 near Duluth, and Highway 2 corridors during peak evening travel hours. While the overall risk level is low (Level 1 of 5), any storm that strengthens could quickly produce localized damage.
Residents should secure loose outdoor items, monitor alerts, and be prepared to move indoors quickly if warnings are issued. If a tornado warning is triggered, seek shelter in a basement or interior room away from windows.
Storms are expected to weaken after midnight as they move east, but additional updates may be issued Thursday afternoon as conditions develop.
