MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A tornado that touched down northwest of Duluth snapped trees and tore apart a barn in the small town of Cotton, Minnesota.

What do we know?

The National Weather Service received two reports of tornadoes that hit the towns of Cotton and Canyon. Both towns are located next to each other, about 30 miles northwest of Duluth.

It is possible that both reports are from the same tornado.

In Canyon, police reported that the tornado crossed Highway 53 south of Cotton. Video from Brandon Shofer (shared with FOX 9 via FOX Duluth) shows a funnel cloud hanging in the area of ​​Highway 53. FOX 9 could not confirm if this was actually the reported tornado because the video did not show the lower portion of the cloud.

To the north, in Cotton, St. Louis County Emergency Management Coordinator Joshua Brinkman shared photos of damage to a wooded area, with trees snapped in half. He also included a photo of a barn damaged by the storms.

Context

A tornado watch was issued for northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin until 11 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. A tornado watch was issued for Carlton County until 6 p.m.

Closer to the metro, a severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday for the Twin Cities and southeastern Minnesota, and parts of western Wisconsin and northern Iowa.

Do you have photos to share from Thursday’s storms? Share them with FOX 9 here: fox9.com/photos

Following the storms

As always, it’s a good day to stay informed about the skies. You can download the FOX 9 Weather app for the latest severe weather updates and radar.

Looking ahead

Friday is expected to be a much drier and more pleasant day as dew points drop into the 50s and temperatures hover around 80 degrees. Enjoy the abundance of sunshine and warmer weather before cooler temperatures arrive for the weekend.

Saturday will be another warm day with a high of 81 degrees and the possibility of a few morning drizzles. Temperatures will be closer to seasonal averages for the first day of fall on Sunday and will remain in the upper 60s and lower 70s as we head into the week.