MINNESOTA — A tornado watch is in effect across western and central Minnesota through 1:00 a.m., as a powerful round of severe thunderstorms gains strength this Sunday night. The National Weather Service warns of a serious risk of isolated tornadoes, hailstones as large as golf balls, and damaging wind gusts reaching 80 mph (129 km/h).
In addition to the tornado watch, a severe thunderstorm watch is active for parts of northwestern Minnesota, underscoring the widespread nature of this volatile system.
As these storms organize, they’re expected to evolve into clusters or even a bow echo, surging east-southeast and potentially sweeping into the Twin Cities metro later tonight. The atmosphere is highly unstable, and any supercell that develops could become dangerous quickly, especially in areas west of Interstate 94 and along the Minnesota River Valley.
There is growing concern that this may not be the end of the severe threat. Forecast models indicate another potential line of storms developing overnight from northeastern Colorado, racing through South Dakota, and possibly sustaining enough intensity to cross into Minnesota by early Monday morning. While timing and strength remain uncertain, conditions will need to be monitored closely as the system unfolds.
Stay alert throughout the night in Minnesota, especially in areas from Fargo to the Twin Cities, as atmospheric conditions remain ripe for sudden and dangerous weather developments.
