Severe Thunderstorm Watch Triggers Power Outages for 12,000 Xcel Energy Customers in Minnesota

Severe thunderstorms pushed across Minnesota and into the Twin Cities early Saturday morning, bringing with them significant weather events. As of 5:50 a.m., the majority of the rain, accompanied by thunderous rumbles, moved through the Twin Cities, heading towards western Wisconsin. Unsettled storms continue to be a threat in southeastern Minnesota.

Earlier updates indicated approximately 12,000 Xcel Energy customers faced power outages due to the severe conditions, characterized by frequent lightning and heavy rain. Around 5:05 a.m., the Twin Cities experienced a loud morning with reports of thunder, lightning, and about 2 inches of rainfall in areas like Plymouth. Northwest Wisconsin, including Hayward, was under a severe thunderstorm warning until 6 a.m.

The storm activity continued with intense conditions in the Twin Cities metro around 4:35 a.m. Heavy rain, frequent lightning, and reports of hail in downtown Minneapolis punctuated the severe weather. A severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect until 6 a.m., despite no current active warnings.

In the early hours of Saturday, the National Weather Service extended the severe thunderstorm watch from its initial 4 a.m. expiration to 6 a.m., expanding the watch area eastward into Wisconsin. The storms posed risks of damaging winds, hail, and heavy rainfall, increasing the probability of localized flooding.

The progression of storms into the Twin Cities metro began around 3:50 a.m., marked by heavy rain and lightning. The severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect, though no active warnings were issued. Areas like Buffalo and Maple Lake noted rainfall over 2 inches, with hail reported in Wright County.

Updates around 2:35 a.m. highlighted severe storm warnings northwest of the Twin Cities. Sherburne and Wright counties faced significant rainfall and ponding on roadways, although flash flood warnings were not in place at the time. The trajectory of storms suggested a possible push into the Twin Cities metro over the next hours.

The severe weather journey commenced as early as 1:40 a.m. with warnings around the Elk River, Monticello, and areas of cabin country like Pequot Lakes and Crosslake. A severe thunderstorm warning continued until 2:30 a.m., attributed to the activity around Minnesota.

The severe thunderstorm watch was officially issued at 9:45 p.m. Friday for a wide stretch of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro. Forecasts warned of scattered overnight storms potentially bringing gusty winds, hail, and even isolated tornadoes. The expectation was for a cold front to slice through the state Friday night, igniting a line of powerful storms initially threatening hail in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, before transitioning towards a wind threat.

Storms were anticipated to fire from late Friday evening through early Saturday morning across North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, heading southeast into Minnesota and potentially reaching the Twin Cities post 3 a.m. or even as late as 5 a.m. Saturday, concluding in the metro by Saturday morning.

The Minnesota weekend forecast was shaped by warm, muggy conditions expected on Saturday with clearing skies following the morning storms, while Sunday anticipated a mostly sunny aura with less humidity. Temperatures were foreseen to remain above average into the upcoming week, with analysts predicting additional chances for isolated storm events.

Friday night forecasts conveyed a strong expectation of thunderstorms developing across western Minnesota between 8 and 10 p.m., persisting into the overnight hours. Analysts predicted strong winds and hail primarily across northern and central Minnesota, adding overnight timing would heighten risks. By Saturday, the atmosphere promised to retain humidity and warmth with lingering storm chances.

The cold front lurking across Eastern South Dakota and Northwest Minnesota marked the onset of severe weather, projected to break into widespread thunderstorm development later in the evening. The severe threats included a level 1 risk for late Friday night storms, escalating to level 2 on Saturday afternoon, targeting areas east of I-35 and south of I-90.

Predictions throughout Saturday pointed to scattered showers and thunderstorms, with threats of heavy rainfall especially south of I-90 across SE Minnesota and NE Iowa. Saturday's storm timing was primarily between 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., with forecasts continuing to adjust based on storm developments from areas like Fargo-Moorhead heading southeast.

A Weather Impact Alert issued until Saturday morning kept Minnesota on edge, with high winds and heavy rain forming the core threats. Storm formations began in areas like Fargo-Moorhead projected to align southeast and reach the Twin Cities shortly after midnight. Subsequent updates and models would refine the storm trajectories and timings.