A tornado watch has been issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for a significant portion of southeastern Minnesota, including the southern Twin Cities counties of Carver, Scott, and Dakota. The NOAA has designated this watch as a "particularly dangerous situation," indicating the potential for violent EF2 to EF5 long-track tornadoes.

According to the NOAA's prediction, severe storms with tornadoes are anticipated, bringing with them widespread damaging winds and the possibility of isolated significant gusts of up to 90 mph. Additionally, scattered large hail is likely, with isolated instances of very large hail events reaching up to 4 inches in diameter.

The tornado watch, labeled as Tornado Watch Number 277 by the NWS Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, is effective from 1:10 PM CDT until 9:00 PM CDT this Tuesday afternoon and evening. The highest likelihood for storms in the Twin Cities area is expected between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. This includes seeking shelter in sturdy buildings and avoiding windows, as well as staying tuned to local news and weather updates for any changes in the situation.

The tornado watch encompasses portions of Iowa, northwest Illinois, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin, with an approximate stretch of about 110 statute miles east and west of a line extending from 30 miles south southwest of Ottumwa, IA to 50 miles northeast of Mankato, MN.

Authorities emphasize that the environment is becoming increasingly volatile, and strong atmospheric winds suggest the possibility of an outbreak of severe storms, including tornadoes and damaging winds, throughout the afternoon and early evening. It is crucial for individuals in the affected areas to remain vigilant and prepared for potential severe weather conditions.

As the situation unfolds, emergency response teams and local agencies are ready to act swiftly in order to protect lives and property. Stay tuned for further updates regarding this ongoing weather event.