After a thunderstorm that crossed the Minnesota on Monday morning, the attention turned into a second, potentially much more dangerous of storms during the afternoon and in the evening. The heaviest storm activity is probably between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. for the metro of twin cities.
Certain school districts have announced that they were ending the lessons early and cancels activities after school to allow students and staff to return home before potential violent times.
The National Weather Service said that there was a moderate risk of serious thunderstorms – that is to say level 4 out of 5 – from Willmar and St. Cloud South and East to twin cities, Mankato and Rochester. It also extends in parts of western Wisconsin.
Most of the rest of the Minnesota also has a high risk of violent time. Threats include a significant hail, damaged winds and perhaps strong tornadoes.
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Severe weather threat for Monday
National Meteorological Service
Before the storms, officials urged people to closely monitoring weather conditions and have a way to receive violent watches and warnings. They said people should plan and know where they can seek a refuge if serious storms were approaching.
3:28 p.m.: The new tornado watch includes twin cities
The National Weather Service issued a tornado tower until 11 p.m. for a minnesota band in the center and southeast, including the Twin Cities metro, St. Cloud and Rochester. The main concern is “a very large hail and some tornadoes”, but strong tornadoes are possible.
3:25 p.m.: Severe storms drop a large hail in certain parts of southern Minnesota
The violent storms moving in the south of Minnesota on Monday afternoon produced creases the size of the baseball bullets.
The National Weather Service Office of Sioux Falls, SD, received a baseball size hail ratio near Beaver Creek in southwest Minnesota while storms passed around 1:30 p.m.
Observers reported a quarter-size hail in Cottonwood County, northeast of Dundee, just before 3 p.m., and in Jackson County, south-east of Brewster, just after 15 hours
The storms caused a tornado warning for certain parts of the Cottonwood and Murray counties just after 2:30 p.m., but there were no immediate observations of a tornado or damage reports.
3:15 p.m.: Severe thunderstorm warning for southwest Minnesota
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for a storm near Comfrey about 30 miles southwest from New Ulm, moving north to 60 mPh. The storm could produce hail the size of a half-dollar piece.
There is also a serious warning of the storm for a storm about 11 miles east of Worthington, moving northeast to 45 mph, which could produce the size of a ping-pong ball.
2:35 p.m.: Tornado warning in southwest Minnesota
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning which includes Jeffers and Storden in southwest Minnesota until 3 p.m.
The storm clouds swirl above Interstate 90 near Rushmore in southwest Minnesota on Monday, April 28, 2025.
With the kind authorization of the Minnesota Ministry of Transport
1:30 p.m.: Schools cancel activities after school
Many school districts cancel activities after school, including prolonged learning, athletics and installation rentals. School districts that have announced closures include public schools in Minneapolis, schools in the Roseville region, St. Louis Park public schools, Richfield public schools, Anoka-Hennepin schools, Minnetonka schools, the independent school district 728, Schools in the St. Cloud region, schools in the region of St. Cloud Rosemount-Apple-Apple.
Rochester public schools canceled activities after school and night school lessons. All activities on the Rochester school sites must conclude at 6 p.m.
Many extracurricular care programs will remain open until everyone is recovered, but schools ask parents to take their children as soon as possible.
12:30 p.m.: Tornado Watch published for the South West and the Center of Minnesota
The NOAA Storm prediction center has published a tornado watch up to 8 p.m., most of which are southwest and center of Minnesota. Storms in the watch area can produce a large hail, damaged winds and possible tornadoes on Monday evening.
11:53 am: School districts close early
At least five school districts – Blue Earth Area, Jackson County Central, Martin County West, Red Rock Central and Windom – announced that they were ending early on Monday due to the risk of violent time.
“We want everyone to be at home safely before the storms start,” wrote the managers of the West school in Martin.
“With nearly 800 students counting on bus transport – some on routes that require up to two hours from departure to return to bus garages – we want to make sure everyone arrives at home safely before the possibility of increasing bad weather,” wrote the managers of the Blue Earth region.
St. Paul’s public schools preventively canceled most of the programs and activities after school for Monday afternoon and evening due to the risk of violent storms.
11:41 a.m.: Preparations start for storms to come
The City of Minneapolis said that it would close the non -emergency -oriented city facilities and services at 2 p.m., its 311 call center will have extended hours – until 9 p.m. – to manage all calls from the public service linked to the storm.
The city said that it had activated its emergency operations center and made me awareness of shelters and service providers for homeless people to ensure that housing-free residents have a safe place to go.
Public services in the region also closely monitored weather conditions for potential severe storms that could reduce trees and power lines. Xcel Energy said he “followed these forecasts and will stage additional teams if necessary to meet all breakdowns, attend the largest breakdowns first to recover the most online customers as soon as possible”.
