Feisty T-Storms overnight; Hancock tornado confirmed

Midnight Light Show

The latest wave of T-Storms races across Minnesota into Wisconsin overnight. Expect lightning, downpours, gusty winds approaching 50 to possibly 60 mph and some hail as the storms roll through the Twin Cities in the hours surrounding midnight.

The storms have a history of severe winds over 60 mph in western Minnesota. Once again, radar images show that classic bow echo bulge moving through Minnesota. Bow echo signatures on radar often produce damaging wind gusts.

Light Show

These storms are electrically intense. The advancing storm wave is cranking out a solid wall of cloud to ground lightning strikes as it sweeps east. It's going to be a bright and loud night. I won't be shocked to hear about lightning hitting some homes and starting fires overnight. Fingers crossed it's a safe night for all.

Tornado threat lingers

A tornado watch continues until 2 am for much of southern Minnesota. Brief tornadic spin-ups along the leading edge of the storms called "Gustnadoes" are a possibility overnight. Gutnadoes can still do damage.

MPR Live Severe Weather Blog tracks storms overnight

Stay tuned to the MPR severe weather live blog for the latest updates and real time warnings overnight!

Western Minnesota tornado

Storm spotters and video confirm at least one tornado touchdown in western Minnesota last night.

2 WSW Cyrus [Stevens Co, MN] TRAINED SPOTTER reports TORNADO at 13 Jun, 7:04 PM CDT -- VIDEO SHOWS STRONG TORNADO, AND TRUSTED STORM TRACKER REPORTED DAMAGE TO A SUB-STATION SOUTH OF HWY 28. TIME BASED ON SPOTTER REPORTS AND RADAR.

At least 3 preliminary tornado reports came into NOAA's Storm Prediction Center. NWS survey crews will sort out details tomorrow.

Busy radars

Here's a great description on how Doppler works from the Twin Cities NWS.