Gusty thunderstorms possible Monday afternoon

Much like Sunday, more thunderstorms are expected to erupt this afternoon, mainly over eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Some of the thunderstorms could produce winds to 60 mph and 1-inch diameter hail.

The early morning infrared satellite image showed much of the state cloud free, but patchy fog was a problem in some areas east of the Twin Cities metro. Fog is difficult to discern on a temperature-sensitive image, as the low, misty clouds blend in with the temperature of the landscape.

Summertime precipitation probabilities are a challenge for forecasters. For example, you may have heard that on Sunday morning the rain chance for the Twin Cities was 80 percent.

Much of the day was sunny with seasonal temperatures, but between 3 p.m. and 5: 30 p.m. a cluster of thunderstorms swept through the area. Most locations received measurable rain.

While the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport tallied less than a tenth of an inch of rain, the rain gauge at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie collected more than a half inch (0.61) in a downpour.

Rochester, Minn., also was doused with more than a half inch of rain on Sunday.

Saturday also brought afternoon thunderstorms and some Minnesota cities received generous rain. More than 1 inch of rain was measured in Chaska. Note the heavy rain that fell to the southwest of International Falls, Minn.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to ignite in the warmth of the afternoon sunshine. We'll track the potential for severe storms as we move through the day.

Today's high temperatures will be summer-like, well into the 80s in western Minnesota.

On Sunday evening I was monitoring the weather situation (as a Cubs fan) at St. Louis as the Cubs were scheduled to play at Busch Stadium at 7 p.m.  The game was delayed as thunderstorms were looming northwest of the ballpark and a tornado watch was in effect for the area.

Subsequently a tornado was reported in St. Peters, Mo., northwest of St. Louis.  Officials responsible for safety at sporting venues at all levels have a challenging task to delay or halt play as severe weather threatens.

Storm reports on Sunday from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center.

Here is the visible satellite image associated with this cluster of storms.  Note the overshooting top (shadows) where the cumulonimbus cloud is indicating an intense thunderstorm updraft northwest of St. Louis. Storms were moving southeast.

Keep abreast of changeable weather this afternoon. If you hear thunder you may need to head to the clubhouse.