La Crosse, WI – Residents across western Wisconsin and neighboring regions are being advised to stay alert as scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to move through the area this evening, beginning around 6 p.m. and continuing through midnight.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, a broken line of storms will track southeast out of Minnesota, with a 30% chance of becoming severe. The highest risk zone includes parts of north-central Iowa through southeast Minnesota into west-central Wisconsin, where damaging winds and hail are most likely.
Forecasters have issued a Level 2 severe thunderstorm risk for much of the area, with a Level 3 risk near Rochester and Red Wing, Minnesota. Threats include wind gusts up to 70 mph, hail up to ping-pong ball size, and localized flash flooding. A tornado cannot be ruled out in higher risk areas.
Although the outlook remains similar to the morning forecast, officials noted a slight decrease in storm intensity due to earlier weather activity. However, storms are still expected to affect communities across the region, especially during the evening hours.
Residents are urged to stay weather aware, have multiple alert methods available, and take shelter indoors during storms. For ongoing updates, visit weather.gov/lacrosse.
