Minnesota weather: Tornado, severe thunderstorm watches in effect

Drivers dodge hail underneath bridge on I-94 in St. Paul

Hail that fell on Thursday, May 19, 2022, had I-94 drivers parking underneath the overpass for Wabasha Street in St. Paul.

(FOX 9) - Thursday brings another risk for severe weather to Minnesota, with the southeastern part of the state the most likely to see strong to severe storms.

RELATED: Watch: Motorists dodge hail as storm rolls through Twin Cities

A tornado watch is in effect for southern Minnesota, including Blue Earth, Olmsted, Rice and Winona counties, until 10 p.m. An area north of the tornado watch area, including Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey counties, is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m.

The main threats with these possible storms are large hail and strong wind gusts, while there is potential for a tornado in the southeastern part of the state.

See the original story from Thursday morning below.

Thursday afternoon update: Severe weather threat in southern MN

Strong to severe storms are possible Thursday afternoon and evening, especially in southeastern Minnesota.

Scattered storms could develop in central and southern Minnesota Thursday afternoon and evening, with the main threats for severe weather being large hail and damaging winds. However, an isolated tornado could also be possible.

While the Twin Cities could see some storms, the bull's eye zone for possible severe weather is in southeastern Minnesota, from Albert Lea, Red Wing, Rochester, and points south and eastward, around 4-6 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for areas in southeast Minnesota, which includes Mankato, Rochester, Owatonna, and Austin. The watch covers areas just south of the Twin Cities Metro and stretches into a small portion of northern Iowa and western Wisconsin. The watch expires at 10 p.m.

The Twin Cities has a "slight" risk of seeing severe storms, while southeastern Minnesota has an "enhanced" risk. Northwest of the Twin Cities metro has a marginal risk of severe storms.

The high temperature on Thursday will be around 76 degrees in the Twin Cities, with steamier temps in the 80s in southern Minnesota, where there’s a higher risk for severe storms. Northern Minnesota is cooler, with temps in the 50s and 60s.

The bulk of the severe weather will be done a little after sunset, but showers could linger overnight.

High temps in the 60s are expected Friday, followed by temps in the 50s over the weekend.