While hot, humid conditions are still expected to bring thunderstorms to the Northland on Wednesday, June 10, the area of greatest concern for severe storms has shifted east.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service have been monitoring the potential for severe storms through the Midwest for several days.
The Level 3 of 5, or enhanced risk for severe weather, now includes areas east of the I-35 corridor, including most of Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota.
Most of Northern Minnesota is still at a Level 2 risk of severe weather for Wednesday afternoon and evening, with the best chance of storms from 3-9 p.m.
Jonathan Wolfe, a weather service meteorologist in Duluth, explained Wednesday morning that the forecast has homed in on the areas most likely to see the greatest severe storm impact, and forecasters' confidence that severe weather will occur has only increased over the past few days.
All hazards are still on the table, Wolfe said, including tornadoes, damaging wind with gusts up to 80 mph, large hail up to 2 inches and localized heavy rain.
Initial supercell thunderstorms will carry the greatest risk of large hail and tornadoes. As storms merge together into a line or bow shape, the hail potential will decrease but the risk of strong winds will increase.
Tornadoes remain possible, with the highest threat south of a line stretching from Hill City to Cotton to Two Harbors.
A line of storms moved through the region in the early hours Wednesday, taking out trees and knocking out power for about 1,500 Lake Country Power customers in the Walker area. Power was largely restored by midday.
Drier conditions are expected beginning Thursday through the weekend, with dew points dropping into the 40s and 50s.
The weather service reminds people that thunderstorms can escalate quickly. Tips for being prepared include:
- Setting up a way to get weather warnings on your phone
- Getting inside a sturdy building when alerted to a storm
- Staying away from windows once indoors
- Where We’re Reading: The new romance bookstore Forbidden Love in Bemidji
- Naturalist cred: How to recognize signs of leafcutter bees
- First robins fledge in Grand Rapids
- Area Voices: Bemidji Area Community Band’s 2026 season begins June 14
- 'The present tense is where the medicine is': Keith Secola brings Rangers to KAXE
