A tornado watch was issued by the National Weather Service in Twin Cities-Chanhassen at 2:52 p.m. on Monday, June 16. This warning applies to more than 20 counties in Minnesota and Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties in Western Wisconsin.
The watch is in effect until 9 p.m.
See weather radar for St. Croix County
What are NWS meteorologists saying?
At 2:52 p.m., the NWS issued a statement including the following information:
“THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 423 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 p.m. CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN MINNESOTA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 22 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA BENTON KANDIYOHI MCLEOD MEEKER MORRISON SHERBURNE STEARNS TODD WRIGHT IN EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA ANOKA CARVER CHISAGO DAKOTA HENNEPIN ISANTI KANABEC MILLE LACS RAMSEY SCOTT WASHINGTON IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA DOUGLAS POPE IN WISCONSIN THIS WATCH INCLUDES 3 COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST WISCONSIN POLK IN WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN PIERCE ST. CROIX THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALEXANDRIA, BLAINE, CAMBRIDGE, CENTER CITY, CHANHASSEN, CHASKA, ELK RIVER, GLENWOOD, HASTINGS, HUDSON, HUTCHINSON, LITCHFIELD, LITTLE FALLS, LONG PRAIRIE, MINNEAPOLIS, MONTICELLO, MORA, OSCEOLA, PRINCETON, RIVER FALLS, SAUK RAPIDS, SHAKOPEE, ST CLOUD, ST PAUL, STILLWATER, VICTORIA, AND WILLMAR.”
How do you stay safe during a tornado?
During a tornado, the NWS recommends:
Get as low as possible. A basement below ground level or the lowest floor of a building offers the greatest safety.
Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible.
What should you do if you’re driving during a tornado warning?
If you’re driving, particularly on interstates or highways, do not try to outrun a tornado.
If you are driving in an area with a tornado warning, you should look for ways to safely get off the road and out of your vehicle, preferably by seeking refuge in a sturdy building.
As a last resort, lie flat in the nearest depression, ditch or culvert and cover your head with your arms.
What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is either sighted or indicated on radar, meaning there is imminent danger to life and property.
If you are in the area of a tornado warning, take cover immediately in the lowest floor of a sturdy building. If you are outdoors, in a vehicle or a mobile home, move to the closest sturdy shelter and take cover.
A tornado watch is issued when the environment is capable of producing tornadoes. If you are located in the area of a tornado watch, the NWS recommends having a plan in place in the event a tornado forms. Be ready to act quickly if a tornado warning is issued.
This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tornado watch issued for St. Croix County