The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued Tornado Watch Number 448 for portions of Northwest into West-Central Minnesota, Central and Eastern North Dakota, and Northern South Dakota. The watch is in effect from 7:50 PM CDT Friday night until 3:00 AM CDT Saturday morning.
The primary threats outlined in the Tornado Watch include the possibility of a couple of tornadoes, widespread damaging winds with isolated gusts up to 105 mph, scattered large hail with isolated very large hail events up to 2 inches in diameter.
An intense squall line is forecasted to move east across the watch area this evening into the overnight period. There is a potential for supercell tornado risk with any storms that develop ahead of the squall line, and a tornado risk may accompany stronger embedded circulations within the line. Widespread severe gusts ranging from 60-80 mph are expected, with swaths of 80-105 mph gusts possible in the more intense portions of the convective line.
The tornado watch area stretches approximately 105 statute miles north and south of a line from 15 miles north northwest of Bismarck, ND to 30 miles north northeast of Detroit Lakes, MN.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay alert to threatening weather conditions and listen for further statements and possible warnings. Aviation warnings include the possibility of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms with hail up to 2 inches, extreme turbulence, surface wind gusts up to 90 knots, and thunderstorm tops reaching 550.
As of now, there have been no status updates issued for Tornado Watch Number 448.
The issuance of this tornado watch serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and potentially dangerous nature of severe weather events. It is crucial for residents in the affected areas to stay informed, have a plan in place in case of severe weather, and follow the guidance of local authorities and meteorologists.
For further updates and information regarding Tornado Watch Number 448, please visit the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center’s website at [https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/ww0448.html].
