La Crosse, Wis. – Residents across western Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa should prepare for multiple rounds of potentially severe thunderstorms Monday, with damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall and a few tornadoes all possible from the morning commute through late Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, the first round of thunderstorms is expected to move southeast from North Dakota through Minnesota and into the region between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. Monday. While severe weather is possible during the morning, the atmosphere is expected to recharge before a second, potentially more intense round develops from 4 p.m. through midnight as a cold front sweeps across the Upper Mississippi Valley.
The highest severe weather risk includes much of western and central Wisconsin, including La Crosse, Black River Falls, Tomah, Prairie du Chien and Wisconsin Dells, where a Level 3 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms is in place. Rochester, Winona and surrounding communities in southeast Minnesota remain under a Level 2 risk.
Forecasters say the primary hazards include damaging wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, large hail, torrential rainfall and a few tornadoes. The exact timing and intensity of the afternoon storms will depend on how quickly the morning thunderstorms move through the region.
Residents should have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, especially Monday afternoon and evening when severe storms are most likely. Secure outdoor furniture, be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions and move indoors immediately if a warning is issued. Additional watches and warnings are likely as the storm system develops Monday.
