Severe Weather Threat in Rochester Friday as Drought Slightly Declines

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Rochester is one of several Minnesota communities facing a severe weather threat Friday. 

The National Weather Service in La Crosse is tracking a system that’s predicted to produce scattered thunderstorms that could turn severe. The system is expected to sweep across Minnesota, Iowa Wisconsin and Illinois Friday evening. 

The storm prediction center places the Rochester area at a level two risk for severe thunderstorms. The primary hazards from the potential severe storms are predicted to be large hail and damaging winds. 

Heavy rain is listed as a secondary threat. As of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service says there’s a 40% chance of southeast Minnesota, northern Iowa and western Wisconsin seeing thunderstorms. 

Friday’s storm chance comes as severe drought conditions slightly declined across the state last week. Thursday’s update from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows 2.83% of Minnesota is in a severe drought, a slight drop from 2.89% last week. 

Extreme drought conditions remain in most of Olmsted County along with southern Dodge County and northern Fillmore and Mower Counties.