Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Central Minnesota Until Midnight

(KNSI) – A severe thunderstorm watch covers much of central Minnesota, including Stearns, Benton and Sherburne counties, through midnight.

The watch takes in 29 Minnesota counties: Aitkin, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Crow Wing, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Pine, Redwood, Renville, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Watonwan and Wright.

The National Weather Service office in Chanhassen said in a hazardous weather outlook issued at 1:28 p.m. Thursday that scattered thunderstorms were expected during the evening hours, with the strongest cells capable of producing large hail and damaging winds. Forecasters also said SKYWARN spotter activation may be needed.

A watch means conditions are favorable for severe storms to develop and residents should be prepared to act. A warning means severe weather is occurring or is imminent and people in the warned area should move indoors to a sturdy shelter away from windows.

No hazardous weather is expected in the region Friday through Wednesday.

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