Severe thunderstorms battered the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota on Tuesday evening, slowing the evening commute and sending pedestrians indoors to escape quarter-sized hail and the threat of tornadoes.

Cars plowed through floodwaters across the Twin Cities, where a flash flood warning was in effect until 8:15 p.m.

Meteorologists issued several tornado warning along with reports of funnel clouds in west-central Minnesota, but no touchdowns were confirmed.

A funnel cloud in southern Minnesota's Freeborn County, near Interstate 35, from about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Deputy Josh Partlow, Freeborn County Sheriff's Office
A funnel cloud in southern Minnesota's Freeborn County, near Interstate 35, from about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Meteorologist Kyle Schanus posted a picture on Twitter of what he described as a “brief tornado” northwest of Ellendale. It’s not known if it caused damage.

Severe thunderstorm warnings have expired for Minneapolis and northwestern suburbs like Crystal, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Fridley Medina and Long Lake, after heavy rain and fears of large hail.

More severe storms are heading for Minneapolis and St. Paul on Friday and Saturday.