Tornado watch issued in central Minnesota, including metro area as storms move through
A round of storms set to arrive in Minnesota Monday afternoon will threaten parts of the state with severe weather, prompting a NEXT Weather Alert.
An early round of rain crossed the state Monday morning, with a second round of storms arriving in the early afternoon.
Tornado watches issued
A tornado warning issued around 7 p.m. for Blue Earth, Le Sueur and Nicollet counties in southern Minnesota has since expired.
A tornado watch was issued for a large swath of Minnesota, including Aitkin, Anoka, Benton, Burnett, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Grant, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pierce, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, St. Croix, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, Washington and Wright counties.
The watches are set to expire at 9 p.m. The main threat includes tennis ball-sized hail and gusts of wind up to 70 mph.
That evening barrage could potentially turn severe, with wind damage, hail and tornadoes all possible.
Hail was reported in Waconia around 7:10 p.m.
Whatever does arrive should clear out before midnight, with mostly cloudy and dry conditions overnight.
Highs will climb into the mid-80s on Monday.
Tuesday will be cooler, with a high temperature near 80, and quieter before rain chances return on Wednesday in limited fashion. Forecasts show steady rain will fall in southern Minnesota during the morning hours, and scattered showers across the state in the afternoon.
Thursday looks to be dry and pleasant, with a high temperature near 82.
Showers are possible on Friday before a hot and humid weekend.