Upper Midwest Targeted by Severe Storms Monday | WeatherBug
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Upper Midwest Targeted by Severe Storms Monday

September 20, 2021
By WeatherBug's Intern Meteorologist, Christopher Smith
A potent cold front charging eastward today is set to fire off a few severe thunderstorms across the Upper Midwest to start the workweek.

The first real taste of autumn air is arriving early this week from the Northwest into the northern and central Plains thanks to the passage of a cold front. Ahead of the front, warm, moist air is being pumped northward, priming the environment for storms when the two air masses collide.

This afternoon a few storms containing gusty winds and hail should pop over central Iowa and Minnesota and the storms should slowly organize with time. A long line of storms is possible by sunset, stretching from northern Missouri to western Wisconsin and the storms will push eastward through the evening before weakening overnight.

Damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph and a brief tornado or two will be the main threats with today’s storms. Cities at highest risk for severe weather include Des Moines, Iowa, and La Crosse and Madison, Wis. Minneapolis, Chicago and Milwaukee are a few other cities that should keep their eyes to the sky for any gusty storms.

Currently a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for central and eastern Iowa, southeast Minnesota, western Wisconsin,and northwestern Missouri, including Des Moines and Waterloo, Iowa, Rochester, Minn., Eau Claire, Wis, and Kansas City, Mo. A Tornado Watch is in effect for northeastern Wisconsin this evening.

Understand the difference between a watch and a warning. A watch means conditions are highly favorable for dangerous weather, and you should have a plan in place for acting. A warning means that dangerous weather has been observed, and you need to act quickly to protect life and property.

Remember, lightning is one of Mother Nature’s most deadly killers. If you are close enough to a storm to hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning, even if the sun is still shining.