Scattered storms, lightning, hail and funnel clouds today
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Lumpy cumulus building over the Weather Lab today.
Here we go again.
The atmosphere over much of Minnesota is unstable and moist enough for scattered storms to develop in the heat of the afternoon again today. Some of the stronger storms will produce local downpours, hail and gusty winds. There is also enough rotation in a few of the storms to produce funnel clouds. There are reports of funnels this afternoon.
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Storms will be scattered again today, covering about 30% to 40% of the area at any given time.
These storms today are what we call "popcorn" or "air mass" showers in the weather business. Storms are not focused on any weather feature like a warm of cold front. The air mass over Minnesota has just enough moisture and instability to support development. A nice sunny morning heats the air to what is called the "convective temperature." Once it gets warm enough, air parcels begin to rise and produce showers and a few storms. The trigger for these storms is the heat of the day. This is just like when you turn your stove on to boil water. After a few minutes, bubbles (convection currents) begin to boil in your pot.
Keep an eye out to the northwest today. And respect the lightning. Storms will move slowly toward the southeast. I'm pulling for a good downpour at the Weather Lab today.
PH
Storm reports today:
MPX: Bloomington [Hennepin Co, MN] trained spotter reports HAIL of nickel size (M0.88 INCH) at 04:56 PM CDT -- pea and nickel size hail.
MPX: 1 Sse Clayton [Polk Co, WI] trained spotter reports HAIL of quarter size (M1.00 INCH) at 04:04 PM CDT -- hail covered the ground. some leaves ripped off trees.
MPX: 4 Ne Henderson [Scott Co, MN] public reports HAIL of nickel size (E0.88 INCH) at 02:20 PM CDT -- three miles south of Blakeley.
MPX: 3 S Montrose [Wright Co, MN] law enforcement reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 01:30 PM CDT --
MPX: 2 E Stockholm [Wright Co, MN] law enforcement reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 01:27 PM CDT -- intersection of county road 30 and 3. possibly same funnel seen near winsted and silver lake.
MPX: Winsted [Mcleod Co, MN] trained spotter reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 01:30 PM CDT -- funnel cloud roping out, still half way to the ground.
MPX: Winsted [Mcleod Co, MN] trained spotter reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 01:25 PM CDT -- funnel half way to ground.