Wednesday delivered the kind of late-October day Minnesotans rarely get: KIMT reports that a southern push of warmth and moisture ahead of a passing cold front launched temperatures into the low 70s across the region, which is near record warmth for October 28th.

Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard likewise described a mild, muggy afternoon, and KIMT noted breezy south winds gusting up to 30 mph accompanied the unseasonable warmth.

Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard, writing for AOL, called the setup a rare SLIGHT RISK — level 2 of 5 — for the end of October, noting that tornadoes are rare in Minnesota this time of year.

The heat and moisture that fueled the storm threat are the same ingredients that made the day feel exceptionally mild.

As KEYC's weather team explained, plenty of wind shear was present in the atmosphere, but instability was more limited — sunshine through breaks in the clouds would warm temperatures and increase instability.

Storms tracked from west to east across central Minnesota in the afternoon and into western Wisconsin during the evening, and KSTP reported that a Tornado Watch covered the greater Twin Cities area and parts of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin until 9 p.m. Wednesday.

FOX 9's live coverage tracked hail pouring down in central Minnesota — 3-inch hail was reported near Atwater — with storms continuing to move northeast and no warnings in the Twin Cities through much of the afternoon.

KSTP noted that not everyone would see severe weather, and by mid-to-late evening most rain and thunderstorms were expected to exit southern Minnesota.

KIMT reports that cooler — but still above average — and drier air returns Thursday, before the next system arrives Friday afternoon.

KEYC adds that Thursday will be cooler and much quieter with more sunshine and highs mainly in the 50s to low 60s, and that Friday also looks mostly dry with temperatures remaining a little above normal for late October.

Sundgaard noted that highs will continue to run near 60 degrees through early next week, about 10 degrees above normal.

The mild pattern is not entirely dry. KIMT's forecast calls for scattered showers during the back half of Friday, with widespread rain possibly continuing through most of Saturday before tapering Saturday night — and suggested now is the time to plan for waterproofing Trick-or-Treating costumes.

KEYC reports there could be another chance for scattered showers this weekend, especially across southern Minnesota, though rain chances have come down from earlier forecasts, with a better chance for more widespread rain Monday into Tuesday.

KIMT notes another system is eyeing the Upper Midwest to start the new work week after Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday.

With the watch set to expire at 9 p.m. Wednesday per KSTP and storms expected to clear southern Minnesota by mid-to-late evening per KEYC, the region heads into a quiet, mild Thursday.

The warmth that made Wednesday remarkable — low 70s near record territory, per KIMT — gives way to sunshine and highs in the 50s to low 60s, still well above normal for the last days of October.