'Destructive' storms to blast through Minnesota on Wednesday

Severe storms that could produce damaging winds are expected in Minnesota later Wednesday, and the National Weather Service is forecasting "destructive" winds in excess of 70 mph as storms in South Dakota move into a very unstable airmass in Minnesota.

"An active weather day is expected with hot and humid conditions setting the stage for severe thunderstorms this afternoon through the evening. Destructive wind gusts in excess of 70 MPH and hail greater than 2" in diameter are possible with the strongest storms," the National Weather Service says.

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The area where the NWS has the highest confidence in 70+ mph winds includes Marshall, Montevideo, Mankato, Redwood Falls, Willmar and Worthington.

The latest radar simulation from the HRRR model suggests the damaging winds could push all the way across the state, perhaps reaching the Twin Cities metro late in the day. Per the HRRR, storms will explode in South Dakota and reach western Minnesota by 4-5 p.m. and blast to the east, impacting the Twin Cities by 8-9 p.m.

If the HRRR model is accurate, it could mean damaging winds from the western side of Minnesota all the way to Wisconsin. Check out the wind gust forecast from the HRRR model below. The brighter the colors, the stronger the winds.

The North American Model (NAM) is forecasting a similar storm track with equally impressive damaging winds. Not everyone in the path of the storms will get damaging winds because storms act like lungs, inhaling and exhaling. When the storm exhales, damaging winds could occur.

The unstable airmass is being fueled by intense heat with temps in the 90s and dew points in the 70s. Combined, heat index values will soar into the upper 90s, perhaps tipping triple digits in some locations.

If skies remain clear through the afternoon, heat indices could reach at high as 105.

Bottom line: Nasty storms are likely so stay informed about changing conditions.