Minnesota residents braced for a second wave of severe thunderstorms after an initial round swept through the state Monday morning. The most intense activity was expected to unfold between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Twin Cities area, prompting several school districts to shorten class schedules and halt after-school events to ensure that students and staff could return home safely before the storms intensified.
The National Weather Service issued a moderate risk alert, categorizing it as level 4 out of 5, covering areas from Willmar and St. Cloud to the Twin Cities, Mankato, and Rochester, and extending into parts of western Wisconsin. Additionally, many other regions of Minnesota faced elevated severe weather risks, including the potential for large hail, powerful winds, and strong tornadoes.
Officials advised residents to stay vigilant for weather updates and highlighted the importance of knowing where to seek shelter as storms approached. The impending thunderstorms included a tornado watch, active until 11 p.m., covering parts of central and southeastern Minnesota, including the metro areas of St. Cloud and Rochester. The primary concern was reported to be very large hail and the likelihood of tornadoes.
The severe weather had already produced substantial hail in southern Minnesota. Reports from the Sioux Falls National Weather Service indicated hailstones around the size of baseballs near Beaver Creek as storms passed through. Other areas, such as Cottonwood and Jackson counties, also reported hail of significant size, prompting tornado warnings in select counties.
As storms intensified, the National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings for various locations. A storm near Comfrey was moving northeast at 60 miles per hour and could generate hail comparable to half-dollar coins. Another storm, just east of Worthington, was moving at 45 miles per hour and presented the possibility of ping-pong ball-sized hail.
In anticipation of the worsening weather, several school districts, including Minneapolis Public Schools and Roseville Area Schools, announced early closures. District officials expressed concerns for student safety, noting that long bus routes could delay transportation during the storms. Rochester Public Schools also canceled evening activities and had implemented a plan to ensure all students were home before severe weather hit.
To prepare for the impending storms, the city of Minneapolis announced that it would close non-emergency public facilities by 2 p.m. The city’s Emergency Operations Center was activated to coordinate storm response efforts, including outreach to homeless shelters to secure safe accommodations for vulnerable residents. Utility companies were on alert as well, preparing for the possibility of downed trees and power lines resulting from extreme weather.
As the afternoon progressed, the threats loomed larger for residents, who were urged to maintain awareness of the changing weather conditions and heed any safety alerts issued by official sources. The combination of meteorological uncertainty and the rapid approach of severe weather underscored the necessity for preparedness as Minnesota faced a tumultuous day ahead.