Tornadoes Among Threats to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa
Tornadoes, like this one captured by AccuWeather.com Facebook Fan Roy on May 18, 2010 in Weld County, Colo., could touch down in the Upper Midwest through tonight.
A large cluster of severe thunderstorms that's been downing trees and power lines from northern Minnesota into Wisconsin since Wednesday morning will continue plowing southeastward across the western Great Lakes region through tonight. These thunderstorms can rumble in Milwaukee and Chicago overnight.
Of even greater concern, however, are thunderstorms firing up farther west through southeastern Minnesota and Iowa. A cold front interacting with tropical-like air will help fuel dangerous thunderstorms through the early morning hours.
Tornadoes, destructive winds and large hail will all be threats. Several tornadoes were reported around Lakeville, Northfield, Farmington and Randolph, Minn., just before 3 p.m. CDT. The twister in Lakeville reportedly blew a vehicle off a road.
Some of these nasty thunderstorms blew through the Twin Cities around mid-afternoon. Areas farther south and east from Rochester, Minn., to La Crosse, Eau Claire and Rice Lake, Wis., will be at risk into early tonight.
People across the Upper Midwest should be paying close attention to their local weather conditions through tonight. Be ready to seek shelter immediately if a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning is issued.
These thunderstorms will remain be capable of downing trees and power lines, while some of the strongest thunderstorms even damage homes and buildings. Any tornadoes that are spawned could cause serious destruction.
Hail produced by some thunderstorms will be golf ball-size or larger and could damage windshields and dent cars. If possible, vehicles should be parked in a garage well before the thunderstorms arrive.
Farther southwest across the Plains from Iowa into Kansas and eastern Colorado, more isolated severe thunderstorms will develop this afternoon into tonight. Damaging winds and hail will be the main threats, though a tornado cannot be ruled out in the strongest of thunderstorms.
Cities that could be affected include Des Moines, Iowa, Omaha, Neb., Topeka, Kan., and Denver, Colo.
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past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 86° | Borrego Springs, CA |
| Low | -18° | Flag Island, MN |
| Precip | 1.60" | West Palm Beach, FL |
WeatherWhys®
The "Dead of Winter," the one-month period when normal temperatures reach their lowest levels, has come to an end for much of the United States. Some people may find it odd that the "Dead of Winter" does not encompass the darkest day of the year (the first day of winter). That is due to a seasonal lag in temperatures. More heat continues to be lost than is gained from the start of winter until this time of year.
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