Saturday severe weather risk

While Saturday has gotten off to a fine start across most of Minnesota, the weather is going to become more active as we go through the rest of the day.  Already a few isolated thunderstorms have popped up in the far north.  Meanwhile, a more disturbed area of weather associated with a strong cold front is poised to spread from North Dakota into Minnesota.

Strong thunderstorms will develop in northwestern Minnesota this afternoon and build as they track east and southeast across the state.  The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk Area for severe weather for much of Minnesota including the metro area.

Large hail is likely along with some damaging winds and the possibility of a few weak tornadoes.  As the storms get closer to the metro area Saturday evening, the risk of large hail and tornadoes should diminish.

Impacts in the metro area are most likely between around 7P-11P.  Strong winds should be the main risk at that time.  Storms are likely to weaken as they cross the metro area toward western Wisconsin because the daytime heating will be done.

Looking farther into the Labor Day weekend, the weather statewide looks dry and cooler for Sunday and Monday.