The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning Monday for the Twin Cities metro area, set to last until 10:30 p.m.
The warning covers Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Scott, Washington, southeastern Anoka and south-central Wright counties.
The storm is bringing wind gusts up to 60 miles an hour, which meterologists have singled out as the primary hazard. Heavy rainfall may also be a factor.
The storm has crossed Minnesota over the course of Monday after forming in South Dakota, according to Brennan Dettmann, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen.
The National Weather Service estimated an 80% chance of precipitation in Minneapolis on Monday evening. But Dettmann expected the strongest winds only have a 30% chance of reaching the Twin Cities.
He advised that people stay aware of weather alerts and secure any belongings kept outside.
“Have a plan in place because, if those storm do move through, obviously they could do some pretty significant damage.”
Around 6,500 Twin Cities Xcel Energy customers were still without power early Monday night after storms swept through the area Sunday night.
