Rather quiet end to June after hail pummels Twin Cities

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's North American Mesoscale Forecast System model is showing the risk of scattered thunderstorms developing later today from around Grand Forks, N.D., through Bemidji, Minn., to near Brainerd, Minn.

Seeing that, I can't rule out a downpour on your campfire this evening.

Overall, the rest of the week looks to favor dry skies and comfortable temperatures. We may see a bump in high temperatures as we move toward the holiday weekend.

Dew points that topped out in the middle 60s from Brainerd to Rochester, Minn., will be in a more comfortable range this afternoon.

Hail up to the size of golf balls pelted regions around the Twin Cities Monday afternoon. Thunderstorms also dumped brief bouts of heavy rain from Duluth to Rochester.

Hail 2 inches in diameter was reported in Plymouth, with hail over 1 inch in diameter in Chanhassen. Downtown St. Paul observed hail 1 inch in diameter. Storm reports of hail are detailed on the NOAA Storm Prediction Center's website. You may have to click on the previous day.

Save data from this date if you think you may need to file an insurance claim for hail damage.

There was some chat initiated in the meteorological circles yesterday about the expansive smoke layer that masked the sunshine in western Minnesota on Monday.

The smoke was thick enough that it likely held maximum temperatures down 3 to 5 degrees from what we'd expected. Montevideo, Minn., topped out at 82 degrees, where we expected a high of 86.

It is likely not a stretch to suggest that the smoke also inhibited the formation of thunder clouds in west central Minnesota.

Here's a good look at the thunderstorms (those lumpy cloud tops) that dumped hail on the metro area in the second round of storms around 8 p.m.