Tornado Warning Issued For Southeastern Minn.
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Following a night of sometimes heavy rain with significant rainfall totals, more storms are passing through Minnesota, with severe weather hitting the eastern part of the state and western Wisconsin.
PHOTOS: Severe Weather In Western Wisconsin – June 28, 2017
6:59 p.m.
The NWS is now issuing a tornado watch for Fillmore, Houston and Winona Counties in Minnesota 10:00pm.
Meanwhile, reports of damage from western Wisconsin show dozens of damaged homes, farms and powerlines:
6:48 p.m.
Another tornado warning is in effect in Minnesota until 7:30 p.m. -- this time for Winona County near Utica and St. Charles.
WCCO Meteorologist Chris Shaffer says storm spotters have seen the funnel cloud touch down in the area around Highway 74.
6:37 p.m.
As a line of storms continues to move through western Wisconsin, a tornado warning is now in effect for Olmsted County in Minnesota until 7:15 p.m. near Dover.
6:00 p.m.
Law enforcement in Pierce County, Wisconsin says the reported tornado touched down just south of Highway 29 and headed east toward Spring Valley, causing damage to power lines, roads and some homes.
5:11 p.m.
Another tornado warning is in effect in Wisconsin -- this time further north in Burnett County until 6:00 p.m. Anyone in the area should take cover.
Behind that storm, a severe thunderstorm threat continues with a warning issued in Buffalo County, Wisconsin until 6:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
The NWS is extending the severe thunderstorm warning in Pierce County, Wisconsin until 5:45 p.m., and adding Dunn and Pepin Counties in the area around Eau Galle, Red Cedar and Durand.
4:48 p.m.
WCCO Meteorologist Chris Shaffer says there were confirmed sightings of a tornado on the ground near the town of Spring Valley, Wisconsin. Those nearby should take cover in a basement, if possible.
4:31 p.m.
A tornado warning is in effect for Pierce and St. Croix Counties in Wisconsin until 5:15 p.m. Anyone in the area around Spring Valley and Martell should take cover immediately.
The storm is expected to head east through the evening.
4:24 p.m.
The National Weather Service is extending the severe thunderstorm warning in Pierce County, Wisconsin until 5:15 p.m., and including St. Croix County as well.
4:13 p.m.
The National Weather Service is telling residents of eastern Minnesota to be on the lookout for a tornado. The organization issued a tornado watch for Chisago, Goodhue, Wabasha and Washington Counties and all of western Wisconsin until 10:00 p.m. Wednesday night. WCCO Meteorologist Chris Shaffer, however, says the chances of a tornado are higher as the storm moves toward central Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, a severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Goodhue County, Minnesota and Pierce County, Wisconsin until 4:30 p.m. as a storm cell moves through the area.
1:30 p.m.
WCCO-TV meteorologist Matt Brickman said that a line of accumulations of over an inch of rain stretched over the western portion of the state, up from Windom (1.40") to Ottertail (2.12").
Parts of the metro area also saw a healthy dose of drops overnight, with some in the south metro measuring over an inch as well.
As of about 7 a.m., there weren't many pockets of severe weather left for Brickman to warn Minnesota about, and he projects a lull in the action late morning and early afternoon.
Then, by late afternoon, Brickman says the storms should regenerate and cover the eastern portion of the state, and some of them could be severe, including in the Twin Cities metro area.
Brickman says the afternoon storms could bring with them the potential for hail, wind damage and even possible tornadoes. The area representing the largest threat for that is in the southeastern corner of the state, including Rochester and Winona.
"Just make sure you're staying weather aware," Brickman said.
Thursday should be drier with low humidity, with highs closer to normal for this time of year.
