Tornado Watch and Warnings Issued for Twin Cities Area on Wednesday

On Wednesday, the Storm Prediction Center issued a tornado watch that covers the Twin Cities and 33 counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, remaining in effect until 9 p.m. The watch cites threats of tornadoes, hail up to 1.5 inches and wind gusts reaching 70 mph.

Separate tornado warnings were released for areas north and south of Minneapolis‑St. Paul, including a warning for Cannon Falls as a storm with rotation moved into the region.

Weather officials described Minneapolis as being in the “bull’s‑eye” of a strong tornado threat expected to begin late Wednesday afternoon as a storm system moves from the Rockies into the Central Plains and Upper Midwest.

The atmosphere is assessed as capable of producing EF‑2 tornadoes with winds up to 135 mph, though tornadoes are not guaranteed.