Minneapolis, MN – A tornado watch is in effect for parts of Minnesota and western Wisconsin until 9 p.m. CDT Wednesday, Oct. 28, as strengthening thunderstorms move northeast across the region. The watch includes the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and communities near St. Cloud, Mankato and Eau Claire.
According to the National Weather Service Twin Cities office, the watch was announced in a 3:45 p.m. Wednesday update. Forecasters said there were no active tornado warnings at the time of that update, but thunderstorms continued to strengthen as they moved northeast.
Tornadoes, Large Hail and Damaging Winds Possible The National Weather Service watch graphic identifies three primary severe weather threats:
- Tornadoes: A couple of tornadoes are possible.
- Hail: Scattered hail up to ping-pong-ball size is possible.
- Damaging winds: Isolated gusts up to 70 mph are possible.
The watch area stretches across portions of central and southern Minnesota into western Wisconsin…