Thunderstorms likely to erupt soon

Posted at 1:46 PM on May 1, 2012 by Craig Edwards (1 Comments)
Filed under: Rainfall, Severe weather, Thunderstorms

We've seen persistent cloud cover over eastern Minnesota but southwest Minnesota has experienced the warming rays of sunshine for most of the day. This region of the state should be the launching zone for showers and thunderstorms in the next couple of hours.

Temperatures have reached 80 degrees from Worthington to Granite Falls. Dew points were climbing as well. South winds were gusting up to 30 mph. The air mass is becoming increasingly unstable. Thunderstorms should develop as the afternoon progresses.

Visible satellite 130pm CDT
Source: NOAA and College of Dupage

There remains the potential for severe storms with damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes. In addition, locally heavy rainfall can be expected.

Source: NOAA SPC

The Storm Prediction Center has a large swath of the state with the risk of a tornado. While the probability may appear small, we all need to keep aware of the intensity of storms later this afternoon and into early tonight.

If your plans call for outdoor activities into the evening, you should be alert for approaching storms. Watch for darkening skies and flashes of lightning. Athletic fields should be cleared if thunder is heard within 30 seconds of the lightning flash. Don't wait for the heavy rain to arrive.

--Craig Edwards

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Comments (1)

Dewpoint at Worthington was only 55 as of 2.35pm. Also very windy there. I'm skeptical.

Posted by Disco | May 1, 2012 2:51 PM

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