Strong thunderstorms moved through the Albert Lea area with heavy rains and high wind.

As of 2:55 p.m., it was raining hard in Albert Lea with 29 mph wind with gusts up to 40 mph.

A rotating funnel cloud was spotted one mile west of Manchester, but it quickly dissipated.

At 3:01 p.m., a report said the rain had lessened in Freeborn, and the sky was clearing up.

A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for Faribault, Blue Earth and Nicollet counties, and for southern Sibley County until; 2 p.m. At 1:37 p.m., the storm was moving northeast at 30 mph, and is capable of producing nickel-size hail and 65 mph winds.

The strong storms stretch into Iowa and are expected to move into Freeborn and Waseca counties in Minnesota, and Winnebego and Worth counties in Iowa by around 3 p.m.

According to the National Weather Service, damaging winds associated with the storms can arrive as early as 10 minutes before the rainfall associated with the storms, so people are advised to seek shelter before the storms arrive.

At 1:03 p.m., the National Weather Service issues a severe thunderstorm warning for Blue Earth, Faribault, Sibley and Nicollet counties in Minnesota.

A severe thunderstorm had been in effect for southern Minnesota and northern Iowa until 6 p.m., but the warning has been terminated. The watch includes Faribault, Freeborn and Waseca counties in Minnesota, and it includes Winnebego and Worth counties in Iowa.

At 12:55, a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect in Martin, Watonwan and Brown counties until 1:30 p.m.

The storm was capable of producing dime size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. The storm was moving east at 40 mph.

The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for parts of Minnesota and Iowa, including Freeborn, Faribault and Waseca counties in Minnesota and in Worth and Winnebego Counties in Iowa until 10 p.m.

The expected high for Albert Lea is 94. The heat and high humidity could generate heat indices of 100 to 105.

People are recommended to drink plenty of fluids and stay in air-conditioned areas when possible.

Severe thunderstorms are possible across southern Minnesota and Iowa this afternoon and evening as a cool front moves through the area. The storms could produce strong winds, hail, heavy rain and tornadoes. There is a severe thunderstorm watch in northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota as far east as Jackson County.

At 12:10 p.m., there was a severe thunderstorm warning in eastern Jackson County in western Minnesota.