Stormy Skies Over Minnesota: What’s Brewing and Who’s Affected
A Sky of Unrest
Minnesota’s tranquil Tuesday is giving way to ominous dark clouds as severe thunderstorms barrel in, carrying warnings of golf-ball-sized hail, destructive winds, and even a slight tornado risk. The National Weather Service has placed six counties—McLeod, Sibley, Carver, Becker, Kandiyohi, and Swift—under severe thunderstorm alerts until 5:30 p.m. today.
Communities like Arlington, Glencoe, and Henderson—just west of the Twin Cities—are first in the crosshairs, while Becker County in the northwest braces for the worst. The atmosphere is primed for intensity, with peak danger striking between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., when instability peaks.
Power Outages Strike as Storms Rage
The storms mean business. Over 1,000 customers in Scott County are already in the dark, with Eagan and Minnetonka reporting 1,500 disrupted households each. While crews assess the damage, the culprit seems clear—though not yet officially confirmed.
To the west, Minnesota’s border sits in a low-risk zone, but a narrow band holds a slight risk of smaller hail and gusty winds. Meanwhile, Colorado to Nebraska bears the brunt of a full-blown storm system, leaving Minnesota in a relatively calmer pocket—though no less on edge.
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A Brief Respite, Then the Heatwave
By evening, most storms should fizzle out, with northern Minnesota dodging late-night showers. Overnight, temperatures dip into the comfortable 60s, a welcome break from the day’s oppressive humidity.
Tomorrow? A quieter day—just a few stray storms near I-94 in the afternoon, vanishing by sunset. Thursday and Friday promise dry, sunny skies with highs in the 70s, ideal for outdoor plans.
But don’t unpack the picnic gear just yet.
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The Calm Before the Heatwave
The weekend arrives with a vengeance, bringing rising humidity and soaring temps. Saturday hits the low 80s, Sunday the upper 80s, and next week could push into the 90s. Is this the calm before the heatwave? Only time will tell.
Minnesota’s weather is a master of unpredictability—one moment peaceful, the next a tempest of wind and rain. Stay alert, stay prepared, and keep an eye on the sky.
