Severe Thunderstorm Warning 34, NWS Twin Cities, MN

242 
WWUS53 KMPX 171523
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1023 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

MNC037-049-WIC093-171600-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260417T1600Z/
Dakota MN-Goodhue MN-Pierce WI-
1023 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA, NORTHWESTERN GOODHUE AND CENTRAL PIERCE
COUNTIES...

At 1023 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles northwest
of Welch, or 12 miles northwest of Red Wing, moving northeast at 45
mph.

HAZARD...Half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  Ellsworth around 1045 AM CDT. River Falls around 1050 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by the severe thunderstorm include
Miesville, Diamond Bluff and Beldenville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing large hail.

&&

LAT...LON 4454 9289 4462 9291 4486 9258 4486 9246
      4472 9228 4462 9252 4452 9282
TIME...MOT...LOC 1510Z 226DEG 37KT 4453 9290

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

MPG

709 
WWUS53 KMPX 171537
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1037 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

MNC037-049-WIC093-171600-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260417T1600Z/
Dakota MN-Goodhue MN-Pierce WI-
1037 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CDT FOR
EAST CENTRAL DAKOTA, NORTH CENTRAL GOODHUE AND NORTHWESTERN PIERCE
COUNTIES...

At 1037 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles southeast
of Prescott, or 11 miles southwest of River Falls, moving northeast
at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  River Falls around 1055 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by the severe thunderstorm include
Beldenville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing large hail.

&&

LAT...LON 4459 9279 4467 9284 4486 9258 4486 9246
      4478 9236 4468 9251 4463 9262
TIME...MOT...LOC 1523Z 226DEG 29KT 4464 9281

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

MPG

839 
WWUS53 KMPX 171546
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1046 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

MNC037-049-171556-
/O.CAN.KMPX.SV.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260417T1600Z/
Dakota MN-Goodhue MN-
1046 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR EAST CENTRAL DAKOTA
AND NORTH CENTRAL GOODHUE COUNTIES...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM CDT Friday
for a portion of southeast Minnesota.

&&

LAT...LON 4486 9258 4486 9246 4478 9236 4466 9266
      4472 9274 4473 9276
TIME...MOT...LOC 1537Z 226DEG 29KT 4472 9270

$$


WIC093-171600-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260417T1600Z/
Pierce WI-
1046 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN PIERCE COUNTY...

At 1046 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles south of
River Falls, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  River Falls around 1055 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by the severe thunderstorm include
Beldenville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing large hail.

&&

LAT...LON 4486 9258 4486 9246 4478 9236 4466 9266
      4472 9274 4473 9276
TIME...MOT...LOC 1537Z 226DEG 29KT 4472 9270

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH

$$

MPG

607 
WWUS53 KMPX 171556
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1056 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

WIC093-171606-
/O.EXP.KMPX.SV.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260417T1600Z/
Pierce WI-
1056 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 11 AM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN PIERCE COUNTY...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, small hail
and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM CDT Friday
for a portion of west central Wisconsin.

&&

LAT...LON 4486 9258 4486 9246 4478 9236 4466 9266
      4472 9274 4473 9276
TIME...MOT...LOC 1546Z 226DEG 29KT 4477 9262

$$

MPG

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
643 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- The passage of a strong cold front will spawn showers and
  thunderstorms across eastern MN and western WI today. Strong
  to severe thunderstorms are possible along and east of a line
  from Mankato to Mora, with the highest severe potential across
  western WI.

- Large hail and damaging winds are the primary hazards across
  eastern MN and points east. The risk of tornadoes increases
  over western WI, along with the intensity of each hazard.

- Much colder air is expected for the weekend with possibly a
  few snow showers but with no snow accumulation.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 304 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

It's a quiet and mild start to Friday, as temperatures remain in
the 60s following yesterday's beautiful weather conditions. As
often seems to be the case in Spring, the taste of Summer will
be short- lived as a strong cold front passes through the region
today, ultimately ushering in much cooler air for the weekend.
The frontal passage will be our primary focus for the
development of strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon.
Temperatures will crash behind the front, sending Saturday
morning lows below freezing across much of the forecast area --
widespread 24-hour temperature changes are forecast to run
between 30-40 degrees!

As of 2 AM, surface observations reveal that the frontal
boundary is on our doorstep. Current temperatures in the lower
40s paired with northwesterly surface flow at Morris and
Madison suggests that the front has already moved into western
MN. For reference, both locations observed highs in the mid to
upper 80s Thursday afternoon and are both running ~40+ degrees
cooler at this hour! Surface analysis shows two areas of low
pressure, one located in the MN Arrowhead with a cold front
extending to the SW to another surface low in western NE. Our
focus will be on the surface low in western NE, which is
forecast to translate east into IA as an upper trough
strengthens over the northern CONUS today. The cold front will
take a north/south orientation in response to the advance of the
surface low. Warm advection ahead of the frontal boundary will
work to establish a fairly potent warm sector across portions of
the Upper Midwest. However, the early timing of the frontal
passage is a key feature is evaluating today's severe weather
threat locally -- Simply put, the farther east communities are
in eastern MN/western WI, the higher the threat is. SPC's latest
Day 1 Outlook featured little change in the risk areas:
Enhanced Risk (Level 3/5) for the far eastern sliver of Eau
Claire/Chippewa WI, Slight Risk (Level 2/5) along and east of a
line from Freeborn - Goodhue - Barron (WI), and a Marginal Risk
(Level 1/5) along and east of a line from Martin - Hennepin -
Isanti. The greatest risk of large hail/tornadoes is located
across the Slight & Enhanced Risk areas.

This will be an event that likely gets going in the first few
hours after daybreak across south central MN. Recent CAMs have
depicted isolated elevated convection blossoming on the leading
edge of the northward surging plume of 60s Tds (currently
sampled in eastern NE and forecast to advect northeast into
southern MN). As these storms intensify, they will likely pose
the threat of hail and damaging winds, but the elevated nature
will limit tornadic activity. The initial round of convection is
forecast to move towards the TC Metro/I-35 corridor around
~10/11 AM or so. The severe weather threat ramps up as the
surface front moves into southeastern MN/ western WI early this
afternoon, where more hours of surface heating and ongoing
moisture advection will yield a warm sector characterized by
MLCAPEs of 2000+ J/kg, steep lapse rates, and curved hodographs
supported by slight backing of the surface winds and elongated
by 40-50kts of southwesterly 850mb flow. It's this combination
that will support the higher severe weather probabilities
(including a greater threat of tornadoes) across our WI
counties. Some uncertainty remains with regard to storm mode &
how quickly cells will grow upscale into a linear system. That
being said, the quick progression of the cold front will make
the mid afternoon hours the most likely for severe weather
across western WI, as guidance advertises that the front will be
east of Eau Claire by 3 PM or so. For reference, the threat of
large hail and strong tornadoes is even higher across
central/southern WI, eastern IA, and northern IL.

Winds quickly turn northwesterly behind the frontal passage and
are forecast to gust between 30-40 mph. Strong cold advection
will drop temperatures into the 40s for most locations by mid to
late afternoon. As referenced above, it looks like most
locations are in for a night with temperatures below the
freezing mark. Continued northwesterly flow will keep things
cool and breezy this weekend, with forecast highs are in the 40s
& 50s. Oh, and if that wasn't enough -- we could see a few
snowflakes fly as the upper low/vort max pivots north of the
International Border on Saturday. Fortunately, we're only
talking about conversational snowflakes that will not
accumulate.

We'll start to head back in the upward direction early next week
as large scale western ridging/height rises build towards the
Upper Midwest. Latest NBM features highs in the 60s Monday and
the 70s Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday. Most of next week's warm
up appears dry under the influence of high pressure and large
scale subsidence. However, unsettled western troughing will
become more of a focus by the end of next week and long term
global ensembles advertise the return of wet weather during this
time period.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 638 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Aside from low stratus this morning in far W/NW MN, only
impacting AXN, VFR conditions are expected at the remaining
TAF sites to start. Few more hours of LLWS conditions in eastern
MN into western WI until deeper mixing allows surface winds to
increase. High clouds will filter in from the west through late
morning in advance of a low pressure center along a progressing
N-to-S oriented frontal boundary. Convection is expected to
develop over south-central MN by late morning then shift NNE
along the front late this morning through the afternoon hours.
Higher confidence in central-southern-eastern MN into western WI
has allowed precip mention to be upped to TEMPO groups in lieu
of former PROB30 groups. Have kept conditions no lower than MVFR
but visibilities could/would be the first culprit in dropping
to IFR should brief heavy rain cross any given terminal.
Frequent lightning, strong winds and large hail may be possible
from around MSP eastward during the middle part of the day.
Going into the evening, MVFR ceilings will linger in the wake of
the front while winds snap around from S to NW with the frontal
passage with continued breezy/gusty speeds. Conditions return
to VFR by sunset at the MN sites and by late evening at the WI
sites.

KMSP...Still looking at the 15z-19z timeframe as the best timing
for any convection. There is still a shot of frequent lightning,
brief heavy rain and hail with the storms later this morning
but the better chances for severe weather are east of MSP.
Besides the precip/TS timing, the other issue is the timing of
the strong wind shift. Wind speeds will still be breezy
throughout, generally around 15G25kts, but the wind shift will
occur between 15z-19z (essentially on the backside of the
convection that moves through MSP). In addition, MVFR ceilings,
including sub-2000ft ceilings, are expected mid-to-late
afternoon.

/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
SUN...VFR. Wind NW 5-10kts.
MON...VFR. Wind SE 5-10kts becoming S 10-15kts.
TUE...VFR. Wind SW 5-10kts becoming NW.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...None.
WI...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Strus
AVIATION...JPC

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
413 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028-
180900-
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-
Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-
Kandiyohi-Meeker-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-
Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Carver-Scott-Dakota-
Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Watonwan-Blue Earth-
Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-Polk-Barron-Rusk-
St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-Eau Claire-
413 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central and
southern Minnesota, and west central Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

A strong cold front will push across the area today. A line of
strong to severe thunderstorms will develop along it across
eastern Minnesota late this morning into early this afternoon,
then track quickly across western Wisconsin. Large hail, damaging
winds, and a tornado or two are possible, especially in Wisconsin.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN spotter activation may be needed this afternoon, mainly in
eastern Minnesota into western WI.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
750 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

MNZ067-075-076-083-171330-
Le Sueur MN-Sibley MN-Blue Earth MN-Nicollet MN-
750 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN NICOLLET...CENTRAL LE
SUEUR...SOUTHEASTERN SIBLEY AND NORTHEASTERN BLUE EARTH COUNTIES
UNTIL 830 AM CDT...

At 750 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
North Mankato, or near Mankato, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Mankato, North Mankato, St. Peter, Le Sueur, Le Center, Henderson,
  Kasota, Cleveland, Ottawa, Heidelberg, St Henry, St Thomas and
  Mankato Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 4421 9415 4455 9395 4454 9358 4412 9392
TIME...MOT...LOC 1250Z 207DEG 38KT 4421 9400

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

MPG

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
817 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

MNZ069-076-077-083-084-171400-
Blue Earth MN-Waseca MN-Scott MN-Rice MN-Le Sueur MN-
817 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN WASECA...
SCOTT...WESTERN RICE...LE SUEUR AND EASTERN BLUE EARTH COUNTIES UNTIL
9 AM CDT...

At 817 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms extending from over Belle Plaine to near Mapleton, or
extending from 33 miles southwest of Minneapolis to 14 miles south of
Mankato, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  North Mankato, Mankato, St. Peter, Le Sueur, Eagle Lake, Le Center,
  Belle Plaine, Jordan, Montgomery, New Prague, Carver, Shakopee,
  Lonsdale, Prior Lake and Savage.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 4426 9402 4434 9393 4438 9396 4450 9389
      4454 9391 4459 9390 4470 9363 4476 9362
      4479 9358 4481 9344 4479 9333 4463 9332
      4463 9328 4447 9328 4420 9338 4420 9341
      4385 9383 4385 9401 4417 9403 4418 9400
TIME...MOT...LOC 1317Z 239DEG 27KT 4465 9377 4442 9370 4422 9373 4397
9390

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

MPG

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
832 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0712 AM     Hail             New Ulm                 44.31N 94.46W
04/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Brown              MN   Trained Spotter

            Photo measurement provided via NWSChat. Time
            estimated via radar.

&&

RMD

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
834 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0800 AM     Hail             Kasota                  44.29N 93.97W
04/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Le Sueur           MN   Emergency Mngr

            Report received via NWSChat. Time estimated
            via radar.

&&

RMD

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
914 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

MNZ070-077-078-085-171500-
Dakota MN-Goodhue MN-Rice MN-Steele MN-
914 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT STEELE...RICE...
SOUTHWESTERN GOODHUE AND SOUTHWESTERN DAKOTA COUNTIES UNTIL 10 AM
CDT...

At 914 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms extending from 5 miles northwest of Dundas to 9 miles
north of Ellendale, or extending from 6 miles northwest of Northfield
to 8 miles southwest of Owatonna, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Owatonna, Faribault, Northfield, Cannon Falls, Kenyon, Webster,
  Dundas, Medford, Stanton, Nerstrand, Bridgewater, Castle Rock,
  Lemond, Randolph, Clinton Falls, Merton, Moland, Hope, Deerfield
  and New Trier.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 4397 9341 4434 9338 4453 9340 4454 9332
      4454 9328 4455 9328 4462 9287 4450 9286
      4420 9285 4420 9305 4402 9305 4392 9341
TIME...MOT...LOC 1413Z 238DEG 25KT 4449 9327 4430 9325 4400 9332

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

MPG

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
938 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0930 AM     Hail             4 NE Faribault          44.33N 93.21W
04/17/2026  M1.00 Inch       Rice               MN   Trained Spotter

&&