Minneapolis weather turns dangerous Wednesday with two separate rounds of storms on the table, starting before dawn and building again late in the day. The first line of storms is expected to move through from 3 to 7 a.m., while the main severe threat for the KTTC region is expected from 2 to 9 p.m. as a cold front pushes through.
The overnight setup already has the Twin Cities metro under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 7 a.m., and FOX 9 Meteorologist Ian Leonard is tracking severe storms rolling into Minnesota. The morning round may include a few stronger storms before 7 a.m., but the bigger concern is whether the clouds and rain clear quickly enough for the atmosphere to reset by 7 to 8 a.m. If they do, the air should be able to recharge ahead of the afternoon threat.
That second round is the one forecasters are watching most closely. The Storm Prediction Center has kept a Level 3 out of 5 severe weather outlook in place, signaling a solid chance for organized severe storms across the area. Supercells are likely to develop first, then the storms should begin to form into a line as they move south of I-90. The highest potential for tornadic supercells is highlighted near Charles City, Decorah and areas south of I-90.
Heat will add another layer to the day. High temperatures are expected in the upper 80s to low 90s, with heat indices near 100°F in some locations. That kind of warmth can help fuel the afternoon atmosphere if the morning storms do not linger too long, which is why the timing of the early round matters so much.
The forecast is not locked in on one detail: how long the morning storms hang around Wednesday. If they exit by 7 to 8 a.m., the later severe threat has a better chance to grow. If they do not, the afternoon setup could change. Either way, Wednesday is shaping up as a long weather day for much of the region, with the sharpest risk arriving after lunch and lasting into the evening.
