Minnesota Reels from Weekend Storms

(KNSI) – Power is still out in some areas, and cleanup continues after severe weather raked Minnesota over the weekend.

Widespread reports of wind damage and large hail occurred with the rounds of thunderstorms from July 13th and 14th. Some of the largest hail came out of a strong supercell dropping hail stones around Big Lake and Monticello the size of softballs. Elsewhere, hail between the size of golf balls to hen’s eggs. Numerous downed branches and trees were also reported stretching from Alexandria through central Minnesota to the Twin Cities. The highest wind gust recorded at the St. Cloud Airport was 49 miles an hour. Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport saw a 62 mile an hour wind gust. Alexandria and Sauk Centre saw wind gusts in the 50s. One tornado was also confirmed in Rice County. Damage there was mostly to crops. St. Cloud officially recorded 2.2″ of rain on Saturday.

After the storms moved out, the St. Cloud Airport hit 90 degrees for the first time on Sunday. This is the latest first 90 degree day in St. Cloud since 2014.

The area will experience a sunny, quiet week weatherwise, with highs in the 80s as a strong surface high settles in.

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