Severe thunderstorm watch for western and northern Minnesota

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for most of the state until 3 a.m. Saturday. This watch does not include the Twin Cities metro, though late Friday into early Saturday we can expect a line of strong to severe storms to arrive from the Dakotas and move across Minnesota from the west to the east. Main threats will be damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain. Expect a clearing sky with plenty of sunshine by Saturday afternoon.