FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — A line of severe storms brought heavy rain and damaging winds to the Twin Cities on Thursday, along with a noticeable increase in wildfire smoke odor.
The storms moved through the state on the first day of the 2021 Minnesota State Fair, sending fairgoers scrambling for shelter.
Severe thunderstorm warnings covered much of the metro on Thursday afternoon, leading the Minnesota State Fair to temporarily close rides, suspend live entertainment, and advise guests to head to one of several designated severe weather shelters on the fairgrounds.
The National Weather Service received multiple reports of trees and branches down in communities across central Minnesota, with at least one wind gust reported above 50 miles per hour near Richfield.
Many people across the metro said they noticed the distinct smell of wildfire smoke following the storms. Hennepin County Emergency Management posted on social media saying the storms pushed the smoke of out the upper levels of the atmosphere closer to the surface. Some storm spotters also reported visible smoke near the tops of trees in the immediate aftermath of the storm.
The smoke should be temporary and is expected to lift as winds shift, according to emergency management.
Additional rain chances are in the forecast into the weekend.
