Much of southern Minnesota, including Freeborn County, and northern Iowa are under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. Sunday.

According to the National Weather Service, severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across southwest Minnesota this afternoon and spread across Minnesota through to Wisconsin during early evening. Their storm prediction center says there’s a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms, large hail and damaging winds. Tornadoes are also possible.

South winds over 30 miles per hour can be expected with strong northwest wind from 25 to 30 mph, and gusts 40 mph will be possible later this evening.

Counties in the tornado watch include: Freeborn, Mower, Waseca, Olmsted, Blue Earth, Faribault, Steele and others throughout central Minnesota.