Blue Earth County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Minnesota Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Blue Earth County is about the same as Minnesota average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Blue Earth County is higher than Minnesota average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #55
| Blue Earth County | 0.00 |
| Minnesota | 0.01 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Blue Earth County | 0.0000 |
| Minnesota | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #12
| Blue Earth County | 198.30 |
| Minnesota | 135.90 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 12,960 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Blue Earth County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 104 | Cold: | 69 | Dense Fog: | 6 | Drought: | 15 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 842 | Hail: | 5,656 | Heat: | 17 | Heavy Snow: | 104 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 32 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 142 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 5,075 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 211 | Winter Weather: | 65 |
| Other: | 621 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Blue Earth County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Blue Earth County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Blue Earth County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 61 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Blue Earth County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 4.3 | 2010-06-25 | 2 | 44°00'N / 94°02'W | 43°58'N / 94°01'W | 2.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Blue Earth |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado damaged several farmsteads. A barn was caved in on a side, roofs of hog barns were blown off, trees were snapped or uprooted, and a wood pole was snapped. EPISODE NARRATIVE: During the morning of Friday June 25th, a small complex of thunderstorms developed across west-central Minnesota, and quickly moved eastward across southern Minnesota. Isolated severe weather occurred with these storms in west-central Minnesota during the morning hours. During the afternoon, a larger complex of storms developed across western Minnesota, and moved quickly across portions of central and southern Minnesota during the evening. Damage was extensive as several bow echoes, supercells, and squall lines raced across the area. There were numerous reports of structural damage to farms and homesteads, very large hail, and very large trees blown down. Softball to baseball size hail was reported near New Ulm, Minnesota, with several reports of wind damage throughout southern, and east-central Minnesota. Several significant tornadoes occurred in portions of south central Minnesota during the late afternoon, and early evening hours. Two separate severe storms moved across the Twin Cities area, one produced minor damage with hail in the late afternoon, but the second that occurred in the early evening caused more straight-line wind damage throughout the area, along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 4.8 | 2010-06-25 | 2 | 44°06'N / 94°08'W | 44°05'N / 94°07'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Blue Earth |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Barn walls collapsed and a garage was pushed off its foundation. Power poles were snapped and multiple trees uprooted. EPISODE NARRATIVE: During the morning of Friday June 25th, a small complex of thunderstorms developed across west-central Minnesota, and quickly moved eastward across southern Minnesota. Isolated severe weather occurred with these storms in west-central Minnesota during the morning hours. During the afternoon, a larger complex of storms developed across western Minnesota, and moved quickly across portions of central and southern Minnesota during the evening. Damage was extensive as several bow echoes, supercells, and squall lines raced across the area. There were numerous reports of structural damage to farms and homesteads, very large hail, and very large trees blown down. Softball to baseball size hail was reported near New Ulm, Minnesota, with several reports of wind damage throughout southern, and east-central Minnesota. Several significant tornadoes occurred in portions of south central Minnesota during the late afternoon, and early evening hours. Two separate severe storms moved across the Twin Cities area, one produced minor damage with hail in the late afternoon, but the second that occurred in the early evening caused more straight-line wind damage throughout the area, along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 5.4 | 1976-06-14 | 2 | 43°55'N / 94°04'W | 44°15'N / 93°53'W | 24.60 Miles | 300 Yards | 1 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Blue Earth |
| 6.2 | 1994-08-07 | 2 | 43°57'N / 94°05'W | 5.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 50K | 0 | Blue Earth | |
| Brief Description: This tornado touched down near County Road 10 in Lyra Township, 3 miles east of Vernon Center. As it tracked to the southeast, it damaged 4 barns, 2 mobile homes and 2 homes. It then entered Sterling Township, caused significant crop damage by flattening a path through a corn field. It damaged 3 more barns and 9 more homes before lifting off the ground about 1 mile east of Sterling Center. Despite the amount of damage, there were no injuries or fatalities. Overall, 12-14 buildings received structural damage and 7 barns were damaged. | |||||||||||
| 6.9 | 2003-07-14 | 2 | 44°07'N / 94°09'W | 44°07'N / 94°09'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0 | Blue Earth |
| Brief Description: The second tornado from a cyclic tornadic supercell touched down on the western edge of a farmstead. It snapped a dozen trees and demolished a barn and sheds. The roof of a house was peeled away and four vehicles were moved. | |||||||||||
| 8.0 | 1980-08-18 | 2 | 44°06'N / 94°12'W | 2.80 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Blue Earth | |
| 12.6 | 1953-07-25 | 2 | 44°10'N / 93°53'W | 0.50 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Blue Earth | |
| 14.8 | 2003-07-14 | 2 | 44°07'N / 93°48'W | 44°08'N / 93°47'W | 1.50 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.0M | 0 | Blue Earth |
| Brief Description: The sixth tornado in a series was the last of five to hit Blue Earth County. This one took direct aim on four farmsteads. Barns, sheds and outbuildings were downed. A roof was taken off a house and numerous trees were snapped. Law Enforcement video showed this to be a multiple vortex tornado. | |||||||||||
| 16.8 | 1962-05-18 | 2 | 44°04'N / 94°48'W | 43°53'N / 93°59'W | 42.40 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Watonwan |
| 18.2 | 2006-08-24 | 3 | 44°16'N / 94°16'W | 44°20'N / 93°57'W | 15.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 7 | 3.5M | 0 | Nicollet |
| Brief Description: The tornado began with a very narrow path and gradually expanded to a half mile wide multiple vortex tornado. One home in Nicollet lost much of its upper floor, and other homes suffered major damage, including some bring shifted off their foundation. The tornado continued east along Highway 99, producing major damage to houses, farm buildings, and a power substation. It did its most severe damage on the southern outskirts of St. Peter, where a house was completely leveled. A total of 57 homes properties in Nicollet County were damaged, and several homes had to be totaled out. A spokesmen from the St. Peter Community Hospital said several persons were admitted with severe wounds, such as broken bones. The tornado crossed the Minnesota River near the southern city limits of St. Peter, and entered Le Sueur County near the city of Kasota (see separate entry). | |||||||||||
| 18.3 | 1976-06-14 | 2 | 44°15'N / 93°53'W | 44°17'N / 93°52'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Le Sueur | ||
| 18.7 | 1998-03-29 | 3 | 44°17'N / 94°10'W | 44°20'N / 93°57'W | 12.00 Miles | 2200 Yards | 1 | 0 | 120.0M | 0 | Nicollet |
| Brief Description: Tornado made a direct hit on the city of St. Peter and Gustavius Adolphus College. All major buildings on campus suffered varying degrees of damage. The spire on Christ Chapel snapped in half. 70% of the windows on campus were broken. 500 homes were destroyed in St. Peter, 1,700 were damaged. Over 1,000 trees uprooted. One person killed just outside St. Peter when the tornado struck a vehicle. St. Peter Catholic Church destroyed. Hospital severely damaged. Roof ripped off library. 25% of books lost. Debris from St. Peter found 50 miles away in southern suburbs of the Twin Cities. 60 rural homes and farms damaged or destroyed from Courtland to St. Peter. Rural damage estimated at 6.5 million. M6VE | |||||||||||
| 19.2 | 1998-03-29 | 4 | 44°15'N / 94°20'W | 44°16'N / 94°16'W | 4.00 Miles | 2200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Nicollet |
| Brief Description: See narrative for Brown county. | |||||||||||
| 19.4 | 2010-06-25 | 2 | 44°16'N / 94°21'W | 44°15'N / 94°16'W | 4.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Nicollet |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado touched down on the west side of Courtland, near Highway 14. The tornado produced EF-1 damage in the town of Courtland, where numerous trees were uprooted and many large tree branches were downed. The tornado continued east- southeast and strengthened in intensity just south of County Highway 25, where it produced EF-2 damage to multiple farmsteads. Damage included total destruction of a barn just west of the intersection of 511th avenue and County Highway 25. Widespread tree damage and snapped electrical transmission lines were also noted. EPISODE NARRATIVE: During the morning of Friday June 25th, a small complex of thunderstorms developed across west-central Minnesota, and quickly moved eastward across southern Minnesota. Isolated severe weather occurred with these storms in west-central Minnesota during the morning hours. During the afternoon, a larger complex of storms developed across western Minnesota, and moved quickly across portions of central and southern Minnesota during the evening. Damage was extensive as several bow echoes, supercells, and squall lines raced across the area. There were numerous reports of structural damage to farms and homesteads, very large hail, and very large trees blown down. Softball to baseball size hail was reported near New Ulm, Minnesota, with several reports of wind damage throughout southern, and east-central Minnesota. Several significant tornadoes occurred in portions of south central Minnesota during the late afternoon, and early evening hours. Two separate severe storms moved across the Twin Cities area, one produced minor damage with hail in the late afternoon, but the second that occurred in the early evening caused more straight-line wind damage throughout the area, along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 20.5 | 1968-03-18 | 2 | 43°52'N / 94°24'W | 2.50 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Watonwan | |
| 21.2 | 2006-08-24 | 3 | 44°18'N / 93°58'W | 44°15'N / 93°37'W | 17.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 1 | 30 | 20.0M | 4.0M | Le Sueur |
| Brief Description: The F3 tornado that began in Nicollet County at 1630 CST moved into Le Sueur County near the northern city limits of Kasota. Over 100 homes suffered some damage, dozens of homes had major damage, and three were completely leveled. The tornado moved east-northeast for about ten miles in Le Sueur County, then turned and moved east-southeast until dissipation. Hundreds of farm animals were killed, including 200 cows at a large dairy. Approximately five thousand acres of corn and soybeans were estimated to be ruined across the county. A State Farm spokeswoman said the company expected 4,500 homeowner claims and 8,000 auto claims from the storm. Some information provided by the Star Tribune newspaper. A 91 year old man perished in the upper floor of his home when a tree crashed through the roof. M91PH | |||||||||||
| 23.3 | 1963-06-09 | 2 | 44°08'N / 93°43'W | 44°11'N / 93°32'W | 9.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Waseca |
| 23.7 | 1967-04-30 | 3 | 43°51'N / 93°36'W | 43°56'N / 93°40'W | 6.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Waseca |
| 24.2 | 1998-03-29 | 3 | 44°20'N / 93°57'W | 44°24'N / 93°50'W | 6.00 Miles | 2200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Le Sueur |
| Brief Description: See narrative for Nicollet county. | |||||||||||
| 24.8 | 1961-05-14 | 2 | 43°58'N / 93°36'W | 44°02'N / 93°32'W | 5.10 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Waseca |
| 28.7 | 1967-04-30 | 4 | 43°51'N / 93°30'W | 44°07'N / 93°29'W | 18.20 Miles | 267 Yards | 6 | 22 | 25.0M | 0 | Waseca |
| 28.9 | 1981-06-14 | 2 | 44°23'N / 93°44'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Le Sueur | |
| 29.8 | 1998-03-29 | 4 | 44°07'N / 94°54'W | 44°14'N / 94°22'W | 25.00 Miles | 2200 Yards | 1 | 16 | 45.0M | 0 | Brown |
| Brief Description: Tornado began 7 miles east of Avoca in Murray county, continued through Cottonwood, Brown, extreme Northwest Watonwan, Northwest Blue Earth, and finally lifted off 4 miles east of Courtland in Nicollet county. Total storm track was 67 miles. The tornado ripped through the village of Comfrey destroying a grain elevator and damaging 75% of the town. Much of downtown Comfrey destroyed including the town hall. School heavily damaged. 100 people made homeless. 50 homes destroyed. 130 farmsteads damaged or destroyed in Brown county. 500 dairy cows killed. One man critically injured in collapse of farmstead northwest of the town of Hanska. He died the next day. 35 buildings destroyed or damaged in far Northwest Blue Earth county. Damage estimate estimated. Property damage to extreme northwest Blue Earth county across Cambria township estimated at 2 million. Property damage to extreme northwest Watonwan county estimated at 245 thousand. M85PH | |||||||||||
| 30.3 | 1981-06-23 | 2 | 43°43'N / 93°39'W | 1.00 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Faribault | |
| 30.4 | 1967-04-30 | 3 | 43°40'N / 93°35'W | 43°51'N / 93°36'W | 12.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 2 | 23 | 25.0M | 0 | Freeborn |
| 30.8 | 1998-03-29 | 2 | 44°22'N / 93°50'W | 44°26'N / 93°34'W | 17.00 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 2 | 20.0M | 0 | Le Sueur |
| Brief Description: Tornado tracked through Le Center and adjoining rural areas. Most of the businesses in the southern part of town were damaged. Buildings destroyed at county fairgrounds. 15 mobiles homes at a trailer park destroyed, another 26 suffering major damage. Over 100 farm buildings destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 31.3 | 1967-04-30 | 4 | 43°48'N / 93°31'W | 43°51'N / 93°30'W | 1.90 Miles | 267 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Freeborn |
| 32.0 | 1963-07-16 | 2 | 44°03'N / 94°46'W | 44°03'N / 94°39'W | 5.20 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Watonwan |
| 32.1 | 1967-04-30 | 2 | 43°59'N / 93°25'W | 44°07'N / 93°25'W | 9.20 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Waseca |
| 32.8 | 2006-08-01 | 3 | 43°54'N / 94°43'W | 43°53'N / 94°40'W | 1.50 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.0M | 0 | Watonwan |
| Brief Description: Initial damage occurred at farmstead just east of the Watonwan/Cottonwood line. Damage included the partial removal of roofs off two large sheds, along with scattered downed trees. The tornado then moved across corn and bean fields. Another farmstead was hit just southwest of the intersection of County Roads 10 and 2. This was the location of the F3 damage. A house was leveled, a 60 foot concrete base silo was toppled and rolled. Virtually all barns, sheds and outbuildings were completely destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 32.8 | 1977-08-09 | 2 | 44°04'N / 94°46'W | 44°00'N / 94°41'W | 5.60 Miles | 70 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Watonwan |
| 33.0 | 1970-04-29 | 2 | 43°58'N / 93°33'W | 44°10'N / 93°15'W | 20.10 Miles | 27 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Waseca |
| 34.5 | 2010-06-17 | 4 | 43°34'N / 93°38'W | 43°48'N / 93°31'W | 17.00 Miles | 1760 Yards | 1 | 14 | 0K | 0K | Freeborn |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado initially moved northeast to approximately 3.5 miles west of Conger, where at about (43.6156, -93.6015), it began to move more to the east-northeast. West of Armstrong, at about (43.6597, -93.4938), it began tracking nearly due north to just west of Manchester, where at about (43.7357, -93.4801), it began to move to the north-northwest, before dissipating 1.5 miles west of Hartland. Accounting for the changes in direction of this track, the actual path length covered by the tornado was 19.95 miles. Near 180th Street and County Road 2, a home was likely in the outer circulation of the tornado, as it sustained some roof and siding damage. A barn was also destroyed to its brick foundation and a car was also flipped over lengthwise. Some evidence of tree debarking was noted. The tornado continued to the northeast and caused extensive crop damage approximately 500 yards in width. Near County Roads 17 and 63, the tornado intensified to produce EF-3 damage, impacting a farmstead and causing the complete destruction of three swine barns and the loss of 12 head of swine. Two empty grain bins were completely blown away at this location. The house at this location had some roof damage but appeared to be northwest of the main tornado path. Approximately 100 feet northeast of the house, a 150 foot tripod style wind turbine tower was twisted and toppled. This location also marked the beginning of crops being completely raked, with only stalks of corn left, and soybean fields being almost unrecognizable. After passing through this farmstead the tornado took a more easterly path across County Road 63, and maintained EF-3 strength. After passing County Road 63, another farmstead was hit, and two empty harvester silos were toppled. The tornado continued to the northeast across County Road 4, where continued raking of the fields was noted with significant deposition of debris along the tornado path. Numerous trees were toppled at County Road 89 where it turns to the north. The tornado continued to the north-northeast, grew to 1000 yards, and around 1750 LST impacted a farmstead along County Road 12 two miles north of Conger, where EF-4 damage was observed. The house at this location was completely destroyed, as was the barn and several other buildings. Extensive tree damage was noted with nearly all branches being removed from the trunks. Debarking of trees was widespread at this location. A car was also tumbled a distance of 3200 feet, coming to rest in a field east of County Road 12. The tornado continued to the northeast across County Road 69 and County Road 46, where it weakened slightly to EF-3 intensity. As it crossed County Road 46, a house was rotated off the foundation. The tornado was approximately 700 yards wide at this point. To the north-northeast, a swine barn was destroyed with sheet metal being carried off to Interstate 90. At this same time, a satellite tornado developed and caused damage in the town of Armstrong (see separate entry). The main tornado continued to the north-northeast and was 500 yards in width. The tornado crossed County Road 74 and caused EF-2 damage to three farmsteads. One farmstead with a manufactured home was hit, resulting in one fatality and one severe injury. The tornado crossed Interstate 90 just west of County Road 14 as it grew to one third of a mile in width and re-strengthened to EF-3 intensity. Several farmsteads saw significant damage between Sugar Lake and County Road 14, with a house and two barns completely destroyed. From this point the tornado continued to the north, growing to one mile in width. Around 1800 LST, a house and barn were destroyed approximately one mile west of Manchester on County Road 25, where extensive tree and structural damage was also noted at several properties in the area. Additionally, west of this tornadic damage, a separate area of tree and structural damage was caused by strong thunderstorm winds associated with a rear flank downdraft (see separate entry). About one mile north, the tornado weakened slightly to EF-2 Intensity, where it damaged three full grain bins near County Road 29. The tornado was approximately 1300 yards at this point. Further north, at County Road 95, the tornado continued to weaken, although a farmstead still received EF-1 damage to trees and structures. Finally, the tornado continued north and began to narrow and weaken. It dissipated west of Hartland. One person was killed and 14 injured from this tornado. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several strong storms developed in west-central Minnesota during the mid afternoon hours of June 17th. These storms quickly become severe and produced softball size hail northwest of Alexandria and a tornado near Leaf Valley that became the EF-4 that moved through Wadena, Minnesota. By the late afternoon, numerous thunderstorms developed across southern Minnesota along the leading edge of extreme instability. Numerous funnel cloud reports and a few brief tornado touchdowns were noted prior to 5 pm, but once the low level shear (0-1 km) increased significantly from 15 knots, to over 35 knots, strong tornadoes developed along the Iowa border. These storms along the Iowa border produced a series of long-lived tornadoes near Albert Lea, Minnesota. Very large hail also accompanied some tornadoes along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 35.5 | 2010-06-25 | 2 | 44°20'N / 94°39'W | 44°20'N / 94°39'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Brown | ||
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Two farmsteads were hit near the intersection of 260th Street and County Road 10, with one receiving considerable damage. A barn was 2/3 destroyed, a harvestore silo was dented in about 70 feet off the ground, a corn crib was flattened, multiple wagons were displaced approximately 50 yards, and a wooden pole rated to 118 mph was cracked at the base. EPISODE NARRATIVE: During the morning of Friday June 25th, a small complex of thunderstorms developed across west-central Minnesota, and quickly moved eastward across southern Minnesota. Isolated severe weather occurred with these storms in west-central Minnesota during the morning hours. During the afternoon, a larger complex of storms developed across western Minnesota, and moved quickly across portions of central and southern Minnesota during the evening. Damage was extensive as several bow echoes, supercells, and squall lines raced across the area. There were numerous reports of structural damage to farms and homesteads, very large hail, and very large trees blown down. Softball to baseball size hail was reported near New Ulm, Minnesota, with several reports of wind damage throughout southern, and east-central Minnesota. Several significant tornadoes occurred in portions of south central Minnesota during the late afternoon, and early evening hours. Two separate severe storms moved across the Twin Cities area, one produced minor damage with hail in the late afternoon, but the second that occurred in the early evening caused more straight-line wind damage throughout the area, along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 36.4 | 1952-07-27 | 2 | 43°43'N / 93°29'W | 1.50 Miles | 133 Yards | 0 | 4 | 25K | 0 | Freeborn | |
| 36.8 | 1966-10-14 | 2 | 43°39'N / 93°36'W | 43°39'N / 93°31'W | 2.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Freeborn |
| 37.3 | 2010-06-17 | 2 | 43°51'N / 93°19'W | 43°56'N / 93°22'W | 7.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Steele |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado moved from Freeborn County and into Steele County and began moving to the north-northwest, thereby missing the city of Ellendale. At about (43.9255, -93.3453), it began moving toward the northwest, and at about (43.9407, -93.3627), it actually turned some more and moved toward the west-northwest until it finally dissipated. Accounting for the change in direction, the tornado had an actual path length of 7.7 miles in Steele County. Along the way, several homes experienced significant structural damage, with one house completely destroyed and the roof removed from two others. Many outbuildings were destroyed, and hundreds of trees were uprooted and snapped. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several strong storms developed in west-central Minnesota during the mid afternoon hours of June 17th. These storms quickly become severe and produced softball size hail northwest of Alexandria and a tornado near Leaf Valley that became the EF-4 that moved through Wadena, Minnesota. By the late afternoon, numerous thunderstorms developed across southern Minnesota along the leading edge of extreme instability. Numerous funnel cloud reports and a few brief tornado touchdowns were noted prior to 5 pm, but once the low level shear (0-1 km) increased significantly from 15 knots, to over 35 knots, strong tornadoes developed along the Iowa border. These storms along the Iowa border produced a series of long-lived tornadoes near Albert Lea, Minnesota. Very large hail also accompanied some tornadoes along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 39.1 | 2010-06-17 | 2 | 43°31'N / 93°43'W | 43°33'N / 93°42'W | 3.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Faribault |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A damage survey, plus photo and video evidence from chasers, showed this tornado developed just west of Kiester, moved north and struck the northwestern edge of Kiester, producing widespread tree damage and rated EF-1 at this point. It continued north as a multiple vortex tornado, doing EF-2 damage to a grove of trees. Farther north, several trees and grave stones were knocked over in a cemetery. It then turned and moved north-northeast before dissipating to the northeast of Kiester. It should be noted that another tornado which developed south-southwest of Kiester (see entry for 1710 to 1716 CST) wrapped around this tornado and dissipated west of Kiester. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several strong storms developed in west-central Minnesota during the mid afternoon hours of June 17th. These storms quickly become severe and produced softball size hail northwest of Alexandria and a tornado near Leaf Valley that became the EF-4 that moved through Wadena, Minnesota. By the late afternoon, numerous thunderstorms developed across southern Minnesota along the leading edge of extreme instability. Numerous funnel cloud reports and a few brief tornado touchdowns were noted prior to 5 pm, but once the low level shear (0-1 km) increased significantly from 15 knots, to over 35 knots, strong tornadoes developed along the Iowa border. These storms along the Iowa border produced a series of long-lived tornadoes near Albert Lea, Minnesota. Very large hail also accompanied some tornadoes along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 39.2 | 2010-06-17 | 3 | 43°42'N / 93°25'W | 43°51'N / 93°19'W | 11.00 Miles | 1320 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Freeborn |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Touchdown was near the intersection of Freeborn County Roads 14 and 20. Multiple farmsteads experienced significant structural and tree damage, including one house completely destroyed and several others heavily damaged. Many outbuildings were destroyed, hundreds of trees uprooted and snapped, with some partially debarked. It then moved into Steele County, southwest of Ellendale, where it began moving to the north-northwest. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several strong storms developed in west-central Minnesota during the mid afternoon hours of June 17th. These storms quickly become severe and produced softball size hail northwest of Alexandria and a tornado near Leaf Valley that became the EF-4 that moved through Wadena, Minnesota. By the late afternoon, numerous thunderstorms developed across southern Minnesota along the leading edge of extreme instability. Numerous funnel cloud reports and a few brief tornado touchdowns were noted prior to 5 pm, but once the low level shear (0-1 km) increased significantly from 15 knots, to over 35 knots, strong tornadoes developed along the Iowa border. These storms along the Iowa border produced a series of long-lived tornadoes near Albert Lea, Minnesota. Very large hail also accompanied some tornadoes along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 39.4 | 1952-06-23 | 2 | 44°23'N / 94°35'W | 44°50'N / 93°30'W | 61.60 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Nicollet |
| 39.6 | 1998-03-29 | 4 | 44°05'N / 94°51'W | 44°06'N / 94°52'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Watonwan |
| Brief Description: Tornado moving through southern Brown county brushed extreme northwest Watonwan county. See Brown county narrative. | |||||||||||
| 40.3 | 1984-06-07 | 3 | 43°40'N / 93°21'W | 43°53'N / 93°20'W | 14.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 12 | 25.0M | 0 | Freeborn |
| 40.4 | 1981-06-21 | 2 | 44°17'N / 94°50'W | 44°13'N / 94°49'W | 3.80 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Brown |
| 40.5 | 2010-06-17 | 2 | 43°30'N / 93°43'W | 43°31'N / 93°43'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Faribault |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A damage survey, plus photo and video evidence from storm chasers, showed that this tornado formed south-southwest of Kiester, near the intersection of 20th Street and 570th Avenue, then wrapped around another tornado (which developed about one mile west of Kiester) and dissipated. While southwest of Kiester, it did EF-2 damage to a couple farmsteads, including tree damage and destruction of several grain bins. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several strong storms developed in west-central Minnesota during the mid afternoon hours of June 17th. These storms quickly become severe and produced softball size hail northwest of Alexandria and a tornado near Leaf Valley that became the EF-4 that moved through Wadena, Minnesota. By the late afternoon, numerous thunderstorms developed across southern Minnesota along the leading edge of extreme instability. Numerous funnel cloud reports and a few brief tornado touchdowns were noted prior to 5 pm, but once the low level shear (0-1 km) increased significantly from 15 knots, to over 35 knots, strong tornadoes developed along the Iowa border. These storms along the Iowa border produced a series of long-lived tornadoes near Albert Lea, Minnesota. Very large hail also accompanied some tornadoes along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 40.8 | 1952-06-23 | 2 | 44°07'N / 95°05'W | 44°23'N / 94°35'W | 30.70 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Brown |
| 41.0 | 1977-05-21 | 2 | 44°31'N / 93°38'W | 44°34'N / 93°37'W | 2.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Le Sueur |
| 41.9 | 1967-04-30 | 4 | 43°51'N / 93°14'W | 44°06'N / 93°13'W | 17.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Steele |
| 42.0 | 1951-06-25 | 2 | 43°34'N / 94°46'W | 43°36'N / 94°29'W | 14.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Martin |
| 42.8 | 1960-06-23 | 2 | 43°39'N / 94°44'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Martin | |
| 42.9 | 1967-04-30 | 4 | 43°34'N / 93°26'W | 43°51'N / 93°14'W | 21.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 5 | 35 | 25.0M | 0 | Freeborn |
| 44.1 | 1977-05-04 | 2 | 43°33'N / 94°38'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Martin | |||
| 44.8 | 1982-05-17 | 3 | 43°51'N / 93°10'W | 44°06'N / 93°10'W | 16.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Steele |
| 44.8 | 1998-03-29 | 2 | 44°28'N / 93°26'W | 44°28'N / 93°20'W | 5.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 20.0M | 0 | Rice |
| Brief Description: Four homes and 6 businesses severely damaged. Street department building damaged. 20 farms damaged or destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 45.2 | 1981-06-21 | 2 | 44°25'N / 94°54'W | 44°17'N / 94°50'W | 9.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Redwood |
| 45.4 | 1965-05-06 | 2 | 44°40'N / 93°59'W | 44°43'N / 93°56'W | 3.00 Miles | 667 Yards | 1 | 75 | 25.0M | 0 | Sibley |
| 46.4 | 1984-06-07 | 2 | 43°19'N / 93°58'W | 43°27'N / 93°45'W | 13.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Winnebago |
| 46.4 | 2010-06-17 | 3 | 43°45'N / 93°14'W | 43°49'N / 93°10'W | 5.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Freeborn |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: As the Lerdal tornado began to dissipate, it rotated around this new one west of Hollandale. This new EF-3 tornado went on to obliterate a farmstead, with virtually every outbuilding destroyed, and the farm house leveled. It continued northeast and took the roof off a house and destroyed a greenhouse. Just before dissipating, it hit one more farmstead near County Roads 30 and 35, causing damage to outbuildings, minor damage to the house, and uprooting and breaking a couple dozen trees. Video filmed by storm chaser. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Several strong storms developed in west-central Minnesota during the mid afternoon hours of June 17th. These storms quickly become severe and produced softball size hail northwest of Alexandria and a tornado near Leaf Valley that became the EF-4 that moved through Wadena, Minnesota. By the late afternoon, numerous thunderstorms developed across southern Minnesota along the leading edge of extreme instability. Numerous funnel cloud reports and a few brief tornado touchdowns were noted prior to 5 pm, but once the low level shear (0-1 km) increased significantly from 15 knots, to over 35 knots, strong tornadoes developed along the Iowa border. These storms along the Iowa border produced a series of long-lived tornadoes near Albert Lea, Minnesota. Very large hail also accompanied some tornadoes along with flash flooding. | |||||||||||
| 47.9 | 1984-06-07 | 2 | 43°17'N / 93°48'W | 43°28'N / 93°46'W | 13.00 Miles | 127 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Winnebago |
| 49.0 | 1982-05-17 | 3 | 43°42'N / 93°08'W | 43°51'N / 93°10'W | 10.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Freeborn |
| 49.3 | 1999-08-09 | 2 | 43°28'N / 93°37'W | 43°23'N / 93°30'W | 8.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 10K | Winnebago |
| Brief Description: An unstable airmass was in place over Iowa during the afternoon and evening hours of the 9th. Satellite and sounding data suggested the atmosphere was capped at about 775 mb by a warm layer of air with temperatures as high as 18 C. or more. Thunderstorms had a hard time firing off. A cold front moved southeast into the state as rich low level air with dew point temperatures in the mid 70s preceded the front. While the front moved southeast, a speed max near 100 kts in strength moved into the north central U.S. This combined with an upper level short wave helped a few of the storms break the cap. The wind profile was favourable with a strong shearing environment. Thunderstorms moved into north central Iowa and became tornadic quickly. There was basically one cell that produced at least two tornadoes as it slipped southeast into Iowa. The first tornado touched down in Winnebago County near Scarville. The tornado moved southeast across the county and advanced into Worth County by a few miles. The tornado caused crop damage and some building damage along its path. The corner of a bank building was torn off in the town of Joice in Worth County for example. The same cell produced another brief tornado touchdown near Burchinal in Cerro Gordo County near the intersection of I-35 and County Highway B-43. No significant damage was reported with this tornado. As the large cell that produced the tornado moved on, the rear flank downdraft produced high winds once again in the Scarville area. Power lines were downed and a few buildings were damaged by the high winds in the town of Scarville. High winds also struck the airport in Mason City with a wind gust of 58 MPH. | |||||||||||
| 49.7 | 1982-05-17 | 2 | 43°15'N / 93°48'W | 43°27'N / 93°45'W | 11.00 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Winnebago |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.