Minneapolis, Minnesota – Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected to sweep across Minnesota from Sunday night into Monday, with the greatest risk for severe weather shifting into eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin by Monday afternoon. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, torrential rainfall, and isolated tornadoes are all possible where the strongest storms develop.
According to the National Weather Service Twin Cities, thunderstorms are expected to develop across northwest Minnesota late Sunday before moving into portions of central Minnesota overnight. A second round of storms is forecast Monday afternoon as the system pushes farther southeast, with the highest potential for severe weather expected across eastern Minnesota into western Wisconsin.
Forecasters note that the exact location of Monday’s greatest severe weather threat remains uncertain. If thunderstorms linger into Monday morning, the corridor of strongest storms could shift even farther east. Areas including Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Cloud, Red Wing, Rochester, Mankato, Eau Claire, and Rice Lake should closely monitor forecast updates as the event unfolds.
The Monday outlook places much of eastern Minnesota in a Level 2 of 5 (Slight Risk) for severe thunderstorms, while parts of western Wisconsin, including the Eau Claire and Rice Lake areas, are under a Level 3 of 5 (Enhanced Risk), indicating a greater likelihood of widespread severe storms.
Residents should prepare now by securing outdoor furniture, charging electronic devices, and ensuring they have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, especially Monday afternoon and evening. Travelers should be ready for rapidly changing road conditions due to heavy rain and strong wind gusts that could reduce visibility and create isolated power outages.
The severe weather threat will continue through Monday evening before conditions gradually improve. Additional severe thunderstorm watches and warnings are likely as confidence increases in where the strongest storms will develop.
