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WWUS20 KWNS 171951

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MNZ000-180300-



URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

Tornado Watch Number 232

NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK

255 PM CDT Wed May 17 2017



The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a



* Tornado Watch for portions of

  southern Minnesota



* Effective this Wednesday afternoon and evening from 255 PM

  until 1000 PM CDT.



* Primary threats include...

  A couple tornadoes possible

  Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

  Isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible



SUMMARY...Strong/locally severe storms continue spreading northward

out of IA into southern MN this afternoon, as the airmass continues

to destabilize.  Large hail and locally damaging winds will be

possible, along with the potential for a couple of tornadoes with

the strongest cells.



The tornado watch area is approximately along and 35 statute miles

north and south of a line from 65 miles west southwest of Redwood

Falls MN to 45 miles east of Mankato MN. For a complete depiction of

the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS

WOU2).



PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...



REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for

tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch

area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for

threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements

and possible warnings.



&&



OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 231...



AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail

surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind

gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean

storm motion vector 18035.



...Goss

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