Published: October 28, 2026
TWIN CITIES, MINNESOTA: The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a Tornado Watch for portions of eastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, including the Twin Cities metropolitan area, until 9:00 p.m. CDT Wednesday, as a developing line of strong to severe thunderstorms moves northeastward across the region.
Tornado Watch Number 698 was issued at 3:40 p.m. CDT Wednesday, October 28, amid growing concerns that strengthening thunderstorms could produce tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds during the late afternoon and early evening hours. Atmospheric conditions favor the development of rotating thunderstorms, including potentially dangerous supercells capable of producing tornadoes.
The watch covers a broad portion of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, including much of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area and surrounding communities.
Tornadoes, Large Hail, and Damaging Winds Possible
According to the Storm Prediction Center, several severe weather hazards are possible through Wednesday evening.
The primary threats include:
Tornadoes: A couple of tornadoes are possible, particularly if one or more sustained supercell thunderstorms develop.
Large Hail: Scattered hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter, about the size of a ping-pong ball, is possible.
Damaging Winds: Isolated thunderstorm wind gusts reaching 70 mph could occur, particularly if storms organize into small clusters.
While not every community within the watch area will experience severe weather, the Storm Prediction Center emphasized that the atmospheric environment could support dangerous thunderstorms capable of producing multiple hazards.
The tornado threat depends largely on whether individual thunderstorms can maintain organized, rotating structures as they move northeastward.
Thunderstorms Expected to Strengthen Through the Afternoon
In its 3:40 p.m. CDT watch issuance, the Storm Prediction Center indicated that thunderstorms were expected to continue strengthening as they moved rapidly northeastward across eastern Minnesota and into Wisconsin. The combination of favorable atmospheric conditions and strengthening thunderstorms could support the development of supercells, which are organized thunderstorms characterized by rotating updrafts.
Supercell thunderstorms can produce large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
According to the Storm Prediction Center:
"If a supercell or two can be sustained, then some risk for tornadoes and severe hail will exist given a favorable environment."
Forecasters also noted that smaller clusters of thunderstorms could develop during the late afternoon and early evening, creating an additional risk for damaging straight-line winds.
With thunderstorms expected to move quickly northeastward, conditions could deteriorate rapidly in communities along their paths. Residents should remain alert for changing weather conditions, even if skies are relatively calm ahead of approaching storms.
Twin Cities Metro Included in Tornado Watch
The Tornado Watch encompasses a significant portion of eastern Minnesota, including the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area and surrounding communities.
Based on the watch map issued by the National Weather Service, the affected region includes communities in and around:
Dakota County: Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Lakeville, Rosemount and surrounding communities.
Hennepin County: Minneapolis, Bloomington and surrounding communities.
Ramsey County: Saint Paul and surrounding communities.
Washington County: Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Forest Lake and surrounding communities.
Scott County: Portions of the county, including areas near the southern Twin Cities metropolitan area.
The watch also extends into portions of central and east-central Minnesota, including areas near Saint Cloud, Cambridge, Hutchinson and Northfield, before continuing into western Wisconsin toward Eau Claire and Rice Lake.
What Is the Difference Between a Tornado Watch and Tornado Warning?
The National Weather Service emphasizes that a Tornado Watch and Tornado Warning represent two different levels of severe weather concern.
Tornado Watch: Atmospheric conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms to develop within or near the designated watch area. A tornado has not necessarily been observed or detected, but residents should remain prepared to take shelter if warnings are issued.
Tornado Warning: Trained spotters or weather radar have reported a tornado, and an immediate threat to life and property exists. Residents in the warned area should seek shelter immediately.
A Tornado Watch can remain in effect for several hours, although individual counties may be removed as the severe weather threat passes.
Additionally, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings may be issued for storms producing damaging winds or large hail, even when a tornado is not present.
Residents Urged to Prepare for Severe Weather
With the potential for tornadoes and damaging thunderstorms through Wednesday evening, residents across the watch area are encouraged to review their severe weather safety plans.
The National Weather Service recommends taking several precautions:
Identify a safe shelter: Know where to go if a Tornado Warning is issued. The safest location is a basement or small interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.
Enable emergency alerts: Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled on mobile devices and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.
Avoid outdoor activities during thunderstorms: Lightning, large hail and damaging winds can pose significant risks to people outdoors.
Secure loose outdoor objects: Strong thunderstorm winds can damage outdoor furniture, decorations and other unsecured items.
Remain weather-aware: Monitor updated forecasts, local media and official National Weather Service statements as storms develop and move through the region.
Residents living in manufactured or mobile homes should identify a nearby sturdy building where they can seek shelter if a warning is issued.
Anyone traveling during the evening commute should also remain alert to rapidly changing weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, reduced visibility and potentially damaging winds.
If a Tornado Warning is issued, motorists should not attempt to shelter beneath highway overpasses.
Tornado Watch Remains in Effect Until 9 PM
Tornado Watch Number 698 is scheduled to remain in effect until 9:00 p.m. CDT Wednesday, October 28, unless it is canceled or modified earlier.
The main concern is thunderstorms strengthening and organizing as they move northeastward during the late afternoon and early evening. Although the Storm Prediction Center indicates that only a couple of tornadoes are possible, any tornado that develops could pose a significant danger to those in its path.
Residents throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area, eastern Minnesota, and western Wisconsin should closely monitor weather conditions and be prepared to respond quickly if warnings are issued.
Limitless Media News will continue monitoring the severe weather threat across the Twin Cities metropolitan area and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
