MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — At least one apparent tornado touched down in Minnesota Tuesday night in a line of severe storms moving across the state.
The system brought large hail and strong winds that downed trees and power lines south of the Twin Cities.
A trio of tornadoes, most likely from the same parent cell, touched down in Blue Earth and Waseca counties. National Weather Service trackers will be on the ground Wednesday morning to assess the damage.
Here is a timeline of the night’s events as they happened:
7:50 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Fillmore, Houston and Winona counties in Minnesota until 9:30 p.m.
7:50 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Fillmore and Olmsted counties in Minnesota until 8:45 p.m.
7:35 p.m. WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says severe weather is still very possible for several southern Minnesota counties for the next several hours.
The communities downstream from this tornado-warned storm — Spring Valley, Harmony, and Spring Grove #MNwx need to remain vigilant for severe weather for the next several hours.
Severe weather ingredients remain (really only) in this area at 7:35 pm. pic.twitter.com/25zkSz51sA
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 3, 2020
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7:26 p.m. WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says there is an radar-indicated tornado in Mower County.
TORNADO WARNING CONTINUES UNTIL 7:45 pm for eastern Mower County. This is a radar-indicated tornado, and the storm also may contain ping-pong ball size hail.
If you’re in the communities of ADAMS, ELKTON, TAOPI, take cover now. Stay away from windows. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/w0XsSIc0V1
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 3, 2020
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6:57 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Mower County in Minnesota until 8:15 p.m.
6:44 p.m. WCCO Meteorologist Chris Shaffer says large hail is coming down around I-35 between Ellendale and Albert Lea.
Large hail pelting cars on Interstate 35. Strong thunderstorms continue to hit southern Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/NEyVSz2D13
— Chris Shaffer (@WCCOShaffer) June 2, 2020
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6:40 p.m. WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says strong winds are rolling through Albert Lea.
The storm near Albert Lea just generated a 55 mph wind gust at the airport there.
SEVERE T-STORM WARNINGS continue in the orange-shaded areas until at least 7pm… though the warning around Austin #MNwx is in effect until 8pm pic.twitter.com/WUALjyRfkB
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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6:33 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Houston and Winona counties until 7:15 p.m., and Faribault and Freeborn Counties in until 7:30 p.m.
6:32 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Dodge, Mower and Olmsted Counties in Minnesota until 8 p.m.
6:25 p.m. WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says the tornado warning is now cancelled in Waseca County, but the threat of huge hail and severe thunderstorms remain.
Update: TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELED for Waseca county… but you can see there are still widespread SEVERE T-STORM WARNINGS in the area, as well as the CONTINUED potential for up to BASEBALL-SIZED hail. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/H7MFfIce7Z — Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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Yup! Area of concern for the rest of the evening is from about Fairmont on east along and near I-90, into Wisconsin. #mnwx #wiwx https://t.co/uwRhRdQdAv
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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6:20 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Faribault and Martin counties in Minnesota until 7:15 p.m.
6:19 p.m. WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says the storm system transformed fast in Blue Earth and Waseca counties.
Baseball-size-hail producing, tornado-producing storm that has been rolling through Blue Earth and Waseca Counties literally went from just a sprinkle to a tornado warning in about 50 minutes.
Incredible stuff. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/j7WQosazQh
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Faribault, Freeborn, Steele and Waseca Counties in Minnesota until 7 p.m.
6:15 p.m. Waseca County is still getting roughed up by this storm system.
This storm in southern Waseca County just won’t quit. Jeebus. https://t.co/4thPfv4oox
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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6:11 p.m. WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says the threat of large hail looms across southeastern Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin.
WIDESPREAD SEVERE T-STORM WARNINGS are in effect from Winona to Black River Falls in #WIwx. This is a mess.
Quarter-size hail or larger is the main threat. Flooding is also possible.
Take cover inside, away from windows… don’t drive into areas where water covers the road pic.twitter.com/RMOnvEnily
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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6:08 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Winona County in Minnesota and Buffalo County in Wisconsin until 6:30 p.m.
6:03 p.m. The Tornado Warning has been cancelled in Blue Earth County, but it is still in effect in Waseca County.
The TORNADO WARNING CONTINUES for Waseca County, but has been canceled for SE Blue Earth County.
New Richland residents should be in their safe place right now. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/4QkUfqrNNn
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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Localized flooding is a possibility in parts of the Twin Cities metro area.
Just had an instantaneous rainfall rate of 3.18″/hr in downtown Minneapolis.
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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5:59 p.m. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for for Winona County in Minnesota until 6:45 p.m.
5:50 p.m. The tornado threat is still very strong in Blue Earth and Waseca counties, and severe thunderstorms still threaten several southern Minnesota counties.
As of 5:50pm:
TORNADO WARNING until 6:30 pm for parts of Blue Earth & Waseca counties. Baseball size hail also possible.
SEVERE T-STORM WARNING until 6:30 pm for parts of Faribault, Martin, Blue Earth, Watonwan Counties.
SVR T-STORM WARNING until 6pm SE #MNwx pic.twitter.com/S8nlzMlzLE — Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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Ann Gacek sent WCCO this impressive shot from Maple Grove.
(credit: Ann Gacek)
5:43 p.m. A new Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Blue Earth, Faribault, Martin and Watonwan counties in Minnesota until 6:30 p.m.
5:40 p.m.: A new Tornado Warning has been issued for Blue Earth and Waseca counties in Minnesota until 6:30 p.m.
TORNADO WARNING has now been extended until 6:30 pm for southern Blue Earth & Waseca counties. Destructive hail is also likely with this storm; up to 3″ diameter hail. PEMBERTON and NEW RICHLAND are in the path of this storm. TAKE COVER NOW. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/4r2fsoD0UT
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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5:37 p.m. WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak warns again of the threat this storm system poses to George Floyd protesters.
LIGHTNING is now striking within 9 miles of the #GeorgeFloyd remembrance. Please seek shelter; lightning is the biggest killer with thunderstorms. Gusty winds are still possible, which could blow down weakened buildings. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/n1KXuWlrUz
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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5:35 p.m.: The National Weather Service confirms that the system in and around Blue Earth County is producing “gustnadoes” from all the dust being kicked up into the atmosphere.
We’ve had more reports of gustnadoes on that storms outflow boundary. They are kicking up a lot of dust due to the time of year.
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) June 2, 2020
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Large hail is also being reported in parts of southern Minneosta.
Thanks to viewer Roseann Yochim for sharing a photo of golf ball sized hail outside of her home in Hoffman. Send us your pics at https://t.co/XryTrhxpCz pic.twitter.com/bPq7IoAuJv
— WCCO – CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) June 2, 2020
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5:30 p.m. WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says mid-level rotation continues to pose a tornado threat in Blue Earth County.
This may be what was reported as a tornado to @NWSTwinCities — more like a dust devil than a tornado.
HOWEVER the storm in southern Blue Earth County still is showing signs of (at least) midlevel rotation, which could ultimately produce a tornado. Take shelter. #WCCO #mnwx https://t.co/elosV0OUZe
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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5:19 pm.: A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Winona County in Minnesota and Buffalo County in Wisconsin until 6 p.m.
5:15 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Blue Earth, Martin and Watonwan counties in Minnesota until 5:45 p.m.
5:11 p.m.: A Tornado Warning has been issued for Blue Earth County until 5:45 p.m. Residents are advised to take cover immediately.
A TORNADO WARNING has been issued for part of our area. TAKE COVER NOW in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, NOT a mobile home. Stay away from windows. Visit https://t.co/hcQdTh3wDG for more information. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/uiVUIV7zS8 — WCCO – CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) June 2, 2020
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5:08 p.m.: WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says strong mid-level rotation is occurring in Blue Earth and Nicollet counties.
Strong mid-level rotation associated with the hail-producing storm in Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties. Indicative of its power, and ability to sustain its strength for some time #mnwx pic.twitter.com/6iYy2A9XPf
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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A “gustnado” was just spotted in Blue Earth County. This is not an actual tornado.
Guatnado out ahead of this system not a tornado. North of Vernon center #mnwx @mark_tarello pic.twitter.com/BBDJcJKDYL
— Joshua Eckl ☈ (@EcklJoshua) June 2, 2020
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5:03 p.m.: Hail the size of golf balls and even baseballs are possible for some southern Minnesota towns right now.
FROM @NWSTwinCities:
“Folks in Carden City, and Good Thunder MN should prepare for baseball size hail. This storm is very strong.” #mnwx pic.twitter.com/kkijWJTvkX— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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4:50 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued fir Blue Earth and Nicollet counties in Minnesota until 5:15 p.m.
WCCO Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak gave a couple warnings to Twin Cities residents and those protesting the death of George Floyd.
For those in Minneapolis remembering and protesting in honor of #GeorgeFloyd: you have until about 5:15pm before t-storms arrive in #Minneapolis. Please be safe. While these storms may not be severe, they will contain the potential for 50 mph winds & dangerous lightning #mnwx pic.twitter.com/1f4vRMO6eb
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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Remember that some buildings in that area have become structurally deficient; a wind gust that ordinarily wouldn’t cause damage could cause buildings / rubble to fall. #mnwx #GeorgeFloyd
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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4:38 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for several southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin counties until midnight.
The atmosphere is ripe for storms into the evening. Expect more severe weather in the watch counties. pic.twitter.com/4W0f3e3AZV
— Chris Shaffer (@WCCOShaffer) June 2, 2020
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SEVERE T-STORM WATCH until Midnight for the counties in red. Strong storms are also possible for the next several hours just north and west of the watch area. #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/WJqAZ2x6s5 — Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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4:30 p.m.: A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Blue Earth, Brown and Nicollet counties in Minnesota until 5 p.m.
Largest hail — up to golf ball size — is likely to be located just north of Comfrey right now. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/F4A8uudJTX
— Mike Augustyniak (@MikeAugustyniak) June 2, 2020
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This severe thunderstorm is moving east at 30 mph. It will produce strong wind gusts (up to 60 mph) and hail up to quarter size. pic.twitter.com/22NnpwZ9Rb
— Chris Shaffer (@WCCOShaffer) June 2, 2020
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Source: CBS Minnesota