Severe storms target Northern Plains with powerful winds, large hail threat heading into workweek

Severe storms will persist across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest on Sunday, with the primary threats being damaging wind gusts and isolated large hail.

The Northern Plains are set to be rocked by severe weather for three days in a row, as storms charge up to bring very strong, gusty winds and large hail into Monday.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, storms will really power up in the late afternoon and evening hours across Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.

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A Level 3 out of 5 severe storm threat is in effect for Saturday in North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana, primarily due to the threat of winds gusting 85 mph or stronger.

Saturday severe stor threat.
(FOX Weather)


 

According to the FOX Forecast Center, a shifting pattern will send powerful, fast-moving winds into a moisture-rich environment, creating the setup for severe weather that could last several days.

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Severe storms will persist across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest on Sunday, with the primary threats being damaging wind gusts and isolated large hail.

Saturday wind intensity 
(FOX Weather)


 

A Level 2 out of 5 severe storm threat is highlighted across northern portions of North Dakota and Minnesota, where these hazards are most likely to come to fruition later in the day Sunday.

Grand Forks and Fargo, North Dakota, are both in the level 2 zone.

Widespread coverage of severe storms is not guaranteed, the FOX Forecast Center said, due to an atmospheric "cap," which could suppress thunderstorm development despite a heavily primed environment with plenty of instability for storm formation.

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Sunday and Monday severe storm threat
(FOX Weather)


 

Some storms will ripple through the area throughout the day, but the timing and severity will depend on if this atmospheric cap can be breached.

On Monday, extreme heat and severe weather will target Minneapolis, creating massive instability, which allows storms to thrive.

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The FOX Forecast Center said that while the strong atmosphere cap may initially suppress widespread daytime storms, any cell that manages to break through this cap will rapidly intensify.

Atmpsheric cap visual
(FOX Weather)


 

Another Level 2 out of 5 threat is in effect, this time focused on Minnesota, parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Like Sunday's storms, Mondays will carry a substantial risk for damaging wind gusts, large hail and localized flash flooding across the Minneapolis metro area.

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A Level 1 out of 4 flash flooding threat is in place across the Northern Tier through the weekend.

By Tuesday, storms will have moved out of the region.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Stay with FOX Weather for the latest forecasts as severe storms ramp up.

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