Rochester was under a First Alert Day on Friday as severe weather threatened the area this afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front. Temperatures were expected to reach the low 70s around noon before dropping into the 40s and 50s later in the day, while isolated thunderstorms developing ahead of the front could turn strong to severe until 5 p.m.
The area around Rochester sits at a level two risk of five in the Storm Prediction Center’s daily outlook, with large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes all possible. Areas along the Mississippi River to the east are under a level three risk, the higher threat zone in the region.
South winds were expected to turn northwest in the afternoon and gust to 35 mph at times, adding to the punch of the front as it moved through. A stray shower or thunderstorm was also possible to the east this evening before midnight, but the main concern remained the afternoon window when storms could strengthen quickly.
That threat is followed by a sharp cooldown. Saturday is expected to be blustery and cold with abundant sunshine and high temperatures in the low 40s, with wind chills in the 20s and low 30s and winds reaching 30 mph at times. Sunday should be sunnier and less windy, with highs in the upper 40s, before warmer air returns next week and lifts temperatures from the 50s on Monday to the 70s for most of the remainder of the week. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible again next Thursday and Friday.
For Rochester, the day’s question is not whether the weather will change. It already is. The only real uncertainty is whether the storms building ahead of the front can organize enough before 5 p.m. to produce hail, damaging wind or a tornado in the city’s path.