"Intense Severe Thunderstorms Threaten Minnesota and Wisconsin"

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. for central and northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, including the northern Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Brainerd, Duluth, and parts of western Lake Superior. The primary threats include widespread large hail, isolated very large hail events up to 3 inches in diameter, and scattered damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, with a possibility of a tornado or two. Thunderstorms are expected to rapidly develop and track southeastward across the watch area.