Expect nasty Minnesota weather overnight
Strong and severe thunderstorms have continued from the afternoon into the evening in northern Minnesota. The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch effective until 1 a.m. for about the northern 40 percent of the state, including Fergus Falls, Bemidji, Grand Rapids and Ely.
More strong thunderstorms are likely to develop across central Minnesota northwest of the Twin Cities this evening and there is a chance of tornadoes. The NWS has also issued a tornado watch for the area which touches Anoka County in the north metro.
The Storm Prediction Center plots these watches. I expect more watches to be issued during the evening and overnight.
The NWS office in Chanhassen has a page of current watches and warnings as well.
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Thunderstorms are likely to build into the metro from the northwest beginning around midnight with individual storms moving toward the east-northeast and the whole weather system moving eastward.
A flash flood watch continues through Wednesday night for central to east central and northeastern Minnesota. Soggy ground will also make it relatively easy for wind to tip even healthy trees if strong storms sweep through.
Periods of rain are likely on Wednesday but with cooler high temperatures mainly in the 70s for most of Minnesota. Then Thursday and Friday will be delightful.
Enjoy the summer solstice on Wednesday. It will be the longest day of the year. Thanks to the size and shape of our state, the sun will set at 8:53 p.m. in Winona in the southeast but not until 9:35 p.m. way up northwest in Hallock.