Official severe weather warnings near Ely

Severe thunderstorms are expected to affect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness early this afternoon for the westernmost portions of the Boundary Waters, then again late this evening for all of the Boundary Waters. The storms may produce damaging winds, large hail, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, and locally heavy rainfall. The first round of severe thunderstorms could happen as early as noon and ending before 5 PM. The second round of severe storms are expected to arrive late this evening with the most likely time for thunderstorms between 9 PM and 3 AM Tuesday. Now is the time to prepare in case thunderstorms threaten. Campers should take extra precautions now in order to secure campsites and make a plan in case of severe weather. For strong winds, try to keep your tent away from large or decayed trees. For large hail, use your well-tied down canoe or tent for shelter. For lightning, sit on your personal floatation devices or sleeping pads and avoid putting your tent on top of exposed tree roots to minimize your risk. Monitor NOAA Weather Radio for updates and possible warnings.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 414 IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN MINNESOTA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 7 COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA AITKIN CROW WING IN NORTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA CASS ITASCA KOOCHICHING IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA CARLTON ST. LOUIS THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF AITKIN, BRAINERD, CASS LAKE, CLOQUET, DULUTH, EAST GULL LAKE, ESTERDY, GRAND RAPIDS, INTERNATIONAL FALLS, LAKE SHORE, PINE RIVER, SCHLEY, AND WALKER. THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE TRIBAL LANDS OF THE FOND DU LAC BAND, SAWYER DISTRICT, THE FOND DU LAC BAND, CLOQUET DISTRICT, THE FOND DU LAC BAND, BROOKSTON DISTRICT, THE MILLE LACS BAND, BIG SANDY LAKE AND, EAST LAKE AREAS AND THE BOIS FORTE BAND, NETT LAKE, , LAKE VERMILION AND, DEER CREEK AREAS.