Severe Weather Outbreak Expected Thursday

We monitoring the potential for a severe weather outbreak Thursday afternoon in eastern KELOLAND.

The storm predicition center has issued a moderate risk of severe storms along and east of I-29, including Sioux Falls.  A cold front and trough of low pressure will advance east into these areas by early to mid afternoon with discrete supercell thunderstorms likely to be the main risk.  The most likely area for tornadoes will be across southwestern Minnesota, pehaps a bit north of a Pipestone to Marshall line.  There is the potential for a significant tornado within our coverage area, so we are urging viewers in southwestern Minnesota to pay extra attention to any storms that do develop.

For the Sioux Falls area, certainly there will be  a risk of storms between 2 and 5pm, but they will scattered in nature, likely back -building toward Sioux City and points east.  The storms in Iowa will have a slightly lesser tornado threat, but very heavy rain and hail to the size of baseballs is not out of the question with the strongest cells.  Damaging winds of 70mph or more will also be possible.

Stay tuned to KELOLAND TV and KELOLAND.com for the latest information through the day.