Northern Minnesota placed under tornado watch

St. Paul, Minn. — The National Weather Service has placed Northern Minnesota under a tornado watch until 4 p.m.

Residents in northern counties along a line from Hinckley to Brainerd to Moorhead should remain vigilant of changing weather conditions.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable to tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.

The Weather Service says storms developing in the region could produce tornadoes, hail to 2 inches in diameter, 70 mph thunderstorm wind gusts and dangerous lightning.

Earlier this morning, the weather service confirmed multiple tornadoes in Hubbard County, including one that caused a half-mile "path of destruction" from Park Rapids northward in northwestern Minnesota.