Strong storms possible tonight in the Northland

There's a chance of strong, possibly severe thunderstorms across parts of the Northland as a cold front moves across the region this evening and overnight.

The National Weather Service in Duluth reports that the greatest threat of severe weather through the evening hours will be from Lake Mille Lacs eastward to the U.S. Highway 53 corridor in Northwestern Wisconsin. Other strong-to-severe storms may develop farther north in the Northland during the evening.

Large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain are the main threats from any severe storms. There is a threat of tornadoes, too - primarily over east-central Minnesota and adjacent areas of Northwestern Wisconsin before 9 p.m., the Weather Service said.

As of 7:30 p.m., a tornado watch was in effect for Washburn and Burnett counties in Wisconsin, and Pine County in Minnesota, until 1 a.m. The watch extended south to the Twin Cities.

Earlier this evening there were spotter reports of tornadoes in Pope and Benton counties, and golf-ball-size hail was reported to be covering the ground in Albany, Minn., with windshields broken in town.

There will be a chance of severe thunderstorms again on Wednesday in Northwestern Wisconsin.

Check back to duluthnewstribune.com today for weather updates.

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