Severe Thunderstorm Watch

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect for a large portion of Northern and Central Minnesota until 2 AM tonight.

The Severe Thunderstorm Watch includes Cass, Crow Wing, Grant, Otter Tail, and Wadena counties in Central Minnesota.

Large hail, heavy rain, damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area tonight.

Monitor the weather, and have a plan of action if severe weather strikes your area. Stay weather aware, and have a way to receive warnings.

From the National Weather Service this evening: Thunderstorms will become more likely across west central, and central Minnesota. Large hail, damaging winds and an isolated tornado will be possible, with the highest risk period between 7 PM and 11 PM. The risk of flooding increases overnight as thunderstorms begin to train over the same areas.

Pete Hanson is on 98.1 Minnesota's New Country weekday mornings from 5:30 to 10:00.