The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Cottonwood County in southwest Minnesota northern Jackson County in southwest Minnesota southeastern Murray County in southwest Minnesota northeastern Nobles County in southwest Minnesota
* until 930 PM CDT
* at 852 PM CDT... National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing destructive Golf Ball size hail. This storm was located 6 miles southwest of Bergen... or 8 miles south of Windom... and was moving east at 35 mph. Another severe thunderstorm was located near Heron Lake... with a third near Fulda... moving northeast at 35 mph.
* The severe thunderstorm will be near... Fulda around 900 PM CDT... Bergen around 900 PM CDT... Bingham Lake around 905 PM CDT... Mountain Lake around 915 PM CDT... Storden around 920 PM CDT... Jeffers around 925 PM CDT...
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
This storm has a history of large damaging Golf Ball size hail. Seek shelter now inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows!
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 200 am CDT Friday morning for northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota and northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather in the designated area. During a watch there is no cause for immediate concern. You should go about your normal business... but be on the lookout and keep up to date on the latest weather developments. Public safety officials should activate prearranged plans.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning... on the other hand... means that a severe thunderstorm has been sighted or indicated by radar. People in the path of the storm should take immediate action to safeguard themselves and their family.
Technically speaking... a severe thunderstorm is defined as having wind gusts which exceed 58 mph and/or hail at least 3/4 inch in diameter. However... as these storms develop... they can be accompanied by tornadoes. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or other local media to learn if a warning has been issued for your area. Also... keep a close watch on the thunderstorms as tornadoes can form quickly. If you see a tornado... move quickly into a basement. If none is available... seek shelter in a small interior room on the lowest floor and stay away from outside walls... doors and windows. In schools... factories or other institutional type buildings... stay out of auditoriums and gymnasiums.