"Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across east-central MN this afternoon and move into western WI this evening," says the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service. "Storms will primarily produce large hail with damaging winds and isolated tornadoes as secondary threats."

MINNEAPOLIS — Thursday is a NEXT Weather Alert day due to the potential for severe storms. After fast-moving overnight storms in the Twin Cities, a cold front is triggering a second round between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 10pm for parts of southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, including the Mankato/North Mankato area. We continue to track a cold front that has the potential to bring strong to severe thunderstorms to parts of southern Minnesota and northern Iowa this afternoon into this evening.

It’s another warm and sticky afternoon as thunderstorms bookend the day on Thursday. Isolated storms will sweep through on Thursday morning before pushing off to the east. While these storms could produce heavy downpours,

Minnesota’s Weather Authority continues a Forecast First ALERT in forecast for Thursday EveningSTORMS: As a cold front moves across the state, storms are expected to develop in the early morning, then again in the afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service says there's a risk of severe weather across southern Minnesota this afternoon and evening.