DULUTH — Numerous severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail are possible Thursday, July 27, across a swath of Minnesota.
The National Weather Service in Duluth reported the risk of storms increased midday Thursday in the Northland. This includes an area of enhanced risk in much of Aitkin County, east to Hinckley, Duluth and Two Harbors. The cities of Brainerd, Grand Rapids and Hibbing face slightly lower risk.
11:30 UPDATE: The threat for severe storms later today has increased. Primary hazards are large hail up to 2" in diameter and damaging winds up to 75 mph, with secondary threats for an isolated tornado and locally heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding. #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/FS9mqHv75F
— NWS Duluth (@NWSduluth) July 27, 2023
Storms are expected to fire up over the Arrowhead in the afternoon about 3 p.m. and move south, with the primary threats being wind gusts up to 75 mph and hail up to 2.5-inch diameter — about the size of a tennis ball. Hail that size can cause damage to vehicles, homes and agriculture.
A tornado or two is possible, the weather service stated, along with locally heavy rainfall.
The severe weather may also impact the Twin Cities metro, where an excessive heat warning is in place through 8 p.m. Thursday. As of about noon, temperatures reached 92 degrees at Minneapolis and Brainerd airports, while in Grand Rapids, it was 83.
