Minnesota weather: Strong storms possible Thursday

Thunderstorms could drop significant rain in metro

Overnight thunderstorms in the Twin Cities metro could drop heavy rain, possibly over 3 inches in some areas. A flood watch is in effect until 4 a.m.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - There's potential for strong storms across Minnesota and western Wisconsin on Thursday.

Portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin are under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. The primary threats with this watch are large hail and 70 mph wind gusts.

Counties just north of the Twin Cities including Anoka, Chisago, and Isanti were under severe thunderstorm warnings as storms continue to build across the metro. The Twin Cities is also under a flood watch until 4 a.m. on Friday due to thunderstorms which have the potential to produce 3 to 5 inches of rain overnight.

Some people in North Branch, just north of the Twin Cities, reported hail from Thursday's storms.

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Hail from North Branch (Credit Amanda Moldenhauer)

From: Supplied

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The original story from Thursday morning is below.

MN weather: Tropical heat, strong storms possible

Thursday will bring tropical heat to Minnesota, with the potential for some strong storms later in the day. Here's your forecast.

Oppressive heat is in the forecast for Thursday, when it'll feel like more than 100 degrees.

An excessive heat warning goes into effect at noon for the Twin Cities and portions of southern Minnesota, while the rest of the southern half of the state will remain under a heat advisory. The high Thursday afternoon will climb to about 96 degrees, with a heat index of around 103 degrees.

Spotty strong storms are possible Thursday afternoon, and a few strong to severe storms will march through Thursday night.

Friday will be warm and muggy, with a high of around 88 degrees. A few pop-up rumbles are possible.

Looking ahead to the weekend, it'll be less oppressive with highs in the low 80s and sunshine. Temperatures in the 90s are possible next week.

Here's your seven-day forecast:

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MN weather: Strong storms possible Thursday

The swampy morning leads to an oppressively hot afternoon with a mostly sunny sky and a heat index of 100-plus. Isolated strong storms fire later today (hail threat) and transition to a line of scattered storms tonight (wind threat),