A second round of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to develop in the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, June 10, 2026, across eastern Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin. A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect until 7pm for these regions. Extremely strong wind gusts have been recorded earlier in western Minnesota.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the warning after the first wave of storms hit the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) in the early morning hours. A microexplosion caused significant damage in Saint Paul, knocking down trees in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood and damaging parked vehicles. Utility companies reported tens of thousands of customers without power.
Record winds and initial damage
Reports of high winds include 83 mph in Marietta, 78 mph in Madison and 74 mph in Glenwood, among other spots in western Minnesota. At Minneapolis-St. Paul, one gust reached 60 mph. These conditions resulted in downed trees and power outages.
Wednesday’s intense heat and high humidity, with temperatures close to 32°C and high dew points, fueled the unstable atmosphere. This combination adds energy for the development of more intense storms throughout the day.
High risk in the afternoon and evening
There is a high risk (level 3 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms, with the possibility of all types of hazards: isolated tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail. Thunderstorms are expected to form near and east of I-35, moving into Wisconsin later in the afternoon and evening.
What changes in practice:After the passage of a cold front, a drier and colder air mass arrives on Wednesday night, bringing relief. On Thursday, highs drop to around 21°C across much of the state, with lighter rain showers and no severe risk expected. The milder weather is expected to continue until the weekend.
Forecast for the next few days
A new cold front is expected to arrive between Friday and Saturday, keeping maximum temperatures between 21°C and 24°C in the south and lower in northern Minnesota on Sunday and Monday. More pleasant conditions benefit the region after extreme heat and humidity.
