A wide area of southwest Minnesota, including 25 different counties, is under a tornado watch this afternoon, the National Weather Service Office in Sioux Falls said. The tornado watch will be in effect from 12:30 – 8 p.m. Monday.

The National Weather Service said storms could develop early this afternoon in an area near I-29. The storms will have the potential to quickly become severe. The leading line of strong to severe storms could move quickly east-northeast across southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa.

The NWS said there is a possibility that southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa could see large hail, measuring 2 inches or more in diameter, and damaging winds up to 70 miles per hour. A few tornadoes are also possible, the NWS said.