Tornado Watch Issued Across Minnesota and Wisconsin Until 8 PM

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — A tornado watch is in effect for all of Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin on Thursday afternoon, set to last until 8 p.m. The warning impacted the Twin Cities metro area, leading to a brief tornado warning that has since been lifted.

Sirens sounded in downtown Minneapolis around 2:30 p.m. as the tornado watch was issued. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a ground stop at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport starting at 2 p.m., preventing departing flights for 40 minutes. FAA spokesman Jeff Lea stated that this ground stop caused nine planes headed to the Twin Cities to divert to other airports.

The tornado watch includes 35 counties in Minnesota and 20 counties in Wisconsin. The affected area stretches from the North Dakota border to La Crosse. Cities like Brainerd, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Morris, Willmar, and Red Wing in Minnesota, along with Hayward, Rice Lake, and Eau Claire in Wisconsin, are included in the watch.

Reports have indicated a tornado sighting near Spring Hill, Minnesota, located west of St. Cloud, but there have been no immediate reports of damage. Residents are advised to stay alert and monitor weather updates as conditions develop.