Twin Cities looking at some very severe storms late Thursday afternoon

Eye to the sky Thursday. Be watching out for the potential for some severe weather in the Twin Cities by late afternoon.

WCCO-TV Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says the latest models show the risk increasing from initial forecasts. The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for a large portion of Minnesota and parts of Western Wisconsin until 9:00 p.m.

"We've gone from a category two out of five on the highest level here of our severe weather threat today, to now a category three out of five," Augustyniak explains. "And that includes the Twin Cities metro. This is the area that could potentially see some tornadoes as we go through the late afternoon and early to mid-evening."

Augustyniak says these storms could also bring hurricane-strength wind gusts and heavy rain. And even tornadoes are not out of the question near the metro.

"Today's threat is about as high as it's been any day so far this season," he says. "We also have the potential for wind gusts, potentially to hurricane force, and hail maybe one to two inches in diameter."

He warns it is not a storm to ignore, and the heavy rains could bring flash flooding to areas as well.

KEY MESSAGES

● Storms are expected to develop near the western edge of the Slight Risk area in western Minnesota between 1pm and 3pm.

● Storms will develop into a line shortly after initiation, with that line moving across Minnesota through the afternoon and western Wisconsin during the early evening.

● A brief tornado and hail threat will be greatest near storm initiation, with the greatest severe risks shifting to heavy downpours and strong winds as the line develops.

WCCO Radio will keep you posted with the very latest on any watches and warnings that are issued by the National Weather Service.

SPORTS CONCERNS FOR THE EVENING

There are plenty of schools concerned about his evening's weather too. There are 98 high school football games around the state scheduled for Thursday, right about the time weather is supposed to get severe.

There is also a football game on the University of Minnesota campus where the Gophers are hosting North Carolina in a nationally televised game on FOX. The school has told WCCO Radio they're keeping an eye on things and ready for whatever weather comes their way.

"We are closely monitoring the weather and its potential impact on the area surrounding the stadium," they said in an email. "We are actively collaborating with campus and city personnel and have shelter in place and evacuation plans prepared should we need them."