Severe Storms This Afternoon & Evening—Stay Weather-Ready

Bottom line: Strong to severe thunderstorms will develop this afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m., ramping up through the evening. Hail is the main threat, but tornadoes are possible in southern and southeastern Minnesota. If you’re heading outside today, keep one eye on the sky.

What’s Happening

A warm front is pushing north through the region, and that’s our storm trigger. Our National Weather Service meteorologists are watching two distinct weather boundaries—a southern warm front where tornadoes are most likely, and a secondary boundary farther north where we’ll see elevated thunderstorms capable of producing significant hail. The atmosphere is loaded with instability (SBCAPE values exceeding 2500 J/KG), meaning storms will be strong and well-organized.

Expect showers and thunderstorms likely between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., with some storms potentially severe. Rainfall amounts could reach a quarter to half inch, with localized higher amounts possible. Winds will remain light (5–10 mph from the east-northeast), but that won’t stop these storms from packing a punch.

Your Monday Afternoon Plan

Skip the mowing, yard work, and outdoor activities after 3 p.m. Get what you need to do done early. If you’re planning to grill, fire it up before 4 p.m. and wrap up quickly.

If you’re caught outside when storms arrive, seek shelter indoors immediately—not in a car or under a tree. A sturdy building is your best bet.

Tonight & Beyond

Storms continue likely before 8 p.m., then gradually diminish. You’ll want a NOAA weather radio nearby tonight so you don’t miss any warnings while sleeping. The rain should taper off after midnight, with patchy fog developing.

Tuesday looks much better—mostly cloudy with a high near 69°F and just a 14% rain chance. Perfect for catching up on outdoor tasks you postponed today. Temperatures will drop slightly through the afternoon, so plan accordingly if you’re heading out.

Gear Up

Have a good rain jacket and umbrella handy for the next 24 hours. If you’re venturing out this evening after storms pass, waterproof boots will keep your feet dry from all that rain. And if you haven’t already, make sure you have a way to receive weather alerts—a NOAA weather radio is a solid investment for Minnesota spring weather season.

Looking Ahead

The rest of the week stays unsettled with multiple chances for rain showers and weak storms, but nothing as dramatic as today. Wednesday and Thursday will be your best bets for outdoor activities, with temperatures in the low to mid-60s.

Stay safe out there, neighbors. Spring in Minnesota keeps us on our toes!