Severe thunderstorm warning issued for north central Beltrami County

BEMIDJI - A severe thunderstorm warning north of here has been issued this afternoon.

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks issued the warning for north central Beltrami County and southern Lake of the Woods County.

Doppler radar indicated a storm capable of producing hail the size of a ping pong ball.

The weather service said severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no advance warning.

A severe thunderstorm watch for all of northern Minnesota also has been issued until 7 p.m.

So far, temperatures have reached 90 degrees today in Bemidji. The weather is expected to be hot for the remainder of the Fourth of July holiday week.

The weather service said there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today, and rainfall - from a half to three-quarters of an inch is likely tonight.

Here's a look at the forecast for the remainder of the week:

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

Independence Day: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 90. Light southeast wind becoming south southeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.