Severe Thunderstorms Rumble Over Northern Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Latest update as of 7:58 p.m.:
Watch meteorologist Mike Augustyniak's Facebook Live update:
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A tornado warning is in effect for Otter Tail County until 8 p.m.
Residents are advised to seek shelter.
Meanwhile, a flash flood warning is in effect for Lake and St. Louis counties until 11:15 p.m.
7:30 PM: Flash Flood Warning for southern St Louis & SW Lake counties including Cotton and Two Harbors MN #MNwx pic.twitter.com/86RMTtVh2Q
— NWS Duluth (@NWSduluth) July 9, 2018
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A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Becker County until 6:30 p.m.
Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says the system is producing hail and strong straight-line winds and might be able to produce a tornado.
Residents are advised to seek shelter.
This SEVERE T-STORM in Becker County is not only producing hail and strong straight-line wind gusts, but it may also organize enough to develop a TORNADO in the next 20-30 mins. SEEK SHELTER #mnwx pic.twitter.com/UGsuXlehJn
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) July 8, 2018
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Residents in much of northern Minnesota should keep their eyes on the sky Sunday evening as weather officials say possible severe storms could bring strong winds, hail and tornadoes.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for nearly two dozen counties in northern Minnesota until 11 p.m.
The area affected includes Morris and Fargo in western Minnesota, Brainerd in north-central Minnesota, and Duluth along the North Shore.
Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says the storms should intensify around sundown, which is just after 9 p.m.
NEW: A Severe T-Storm Watch is in effect until 11pm for parts of northern Minnesota. T-Storms will increase in intensity toward sunset (9:00p) with the potential for wind and hail damage, and possibly a tornado or two. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/xmUVcjY7l5
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) July 8, 2018
The severe weather threat includes heavy rains, wind gusts of up to 70 mph, hail, and a tornado or two.
The National Weather Service says flash flooding is also a possibility.
The counties under the severe thunderstorm watch are: Aitkin, Becker, Big Stone, Carlton, Cass, Clay, Cook , Crow Wing, Douglas, Grants, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake, Morrison, Otter Tail, St. Louis, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wedena, and Wilkin.