The Twin Cities and parts of western Wisconsin are under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. Central Daylight Time on Wednesday, October 28. The Storm Prediction Center issued Watch 698 at 3:40 p.m. CDT for 21 Minnesota counties and 12 Wisconsin counties.
Residents and travelers in the watch area should be ready to move to shelter if a warning is issued. A watch means tornadoes are possible; it does not mean a tornado has been spotted.
Counties in the watch
The official National Weather Service watch outline includes these counties:
Minnesota: Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Le Sueur, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Nicollet, Pine, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Washington and Wright.
Wisconsin: Barron, Burnett, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix and Washburn.
Bring Me The News reported that the watch covers the entire seven-county Twin Cities metro area. Its afternoon report described tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds as the principal threats.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were already being issued as storms developed. In a 4:23 p.m. CDT statement, NWS Twin Cities warned of radar-indicated 60 mph gusts and quarter-size hail in parts of Isanti, Kanabec and Mille Lacs counties. Shorter warnings can change or expire before the broader watch ends. Check the current official alerts for your location.
When to take shelter
The NWS explains that a tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. If you are in a vehicle, a mobile home or outdoors, move to the nearest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
During the watch, review your emergency plan and identify your safe room so you can act quickly. A warning usually covers a much smaller area than a watch. Follow the warning for your location immediately; the watch's 9 p.m. end time is not a reason to delay sheltering.
