Apr. 27—LA CROSSE — Forecast severe weather is likely to hit Southeast Minnesota on Monday, according to the National Weather Service in La Crosse.
Initially forecast to hit the area in the afternoon, updated forecasts Sunday now predict the storms to bear down on Rochester later in the evening at around 9 p.m., meteorologists said.
The main threats are high winds, hail and tornadoes, forecasters said.
“Things have slowed down a little bit,” said Nate Falkinham, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in La Crosse.
Storms hitting in the evening could mean some that develop might not be as intense as they would be during daylight hours, Falkinham said.
“Some of those storms may be a little less intense,” he said.
However, there will still be plenty of heat and moisture in the atmosphere to fuel the storms, he added. Highs are forecast in the upper 70s Monday.
Another challenge is the timing of the severe weather might mean people are in bed when it does hit Monday night. Falkinham suggests having multiple methods of warnings and information available in order to get to shelter quickly if necessary. He recommends having a weather radio, an active cellphone app or other emergency alert system and testing it before Monday evening.
“Have something that makes a lot of noise if you’re going to be asleep,” Falkinham said.
All three of the main hazards predicted with the storms — high winds, hail and tornadoes — are all possible with the storms, he added.