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I remember where I was 10 years ago today.

I was on the air at MPR News with Tom Crann broadcasting tornado warnings for Minnesota’s biggest tornado outbreak on record. An incredible 48 tornadoes skipped across Minnesota that day. Here’s 

We knew the atmosphere was highly volatile leading up to June 17, 2010. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center painted a moderate severe weather risk zone at 1 a.m. on June 17 right over Minnesota.

As the heat of the day kicked in, thunderstorms exploded ahead of the advancing front. 

Conditions were ideal for rapid storm development and updraft initiation. The Doppler radar loop shows dozens of discrete super cells exploding. 

NOAA reports 30 tornadic super cells tracked across the Upper Midwest that day.

Yes, all tornadoes might be considered violent. But the term is reserved for the strongest (EF-3) and higher twisters. There were 8 tornadoes that rated EF-4 or EF-5.

Damage was extensive in Wadena and other locations around Minnesota. Here’s Freeborn County.

The greater Twin Cities area was very lucky that day. Most of the severe weather developed west of the Twin Cities. The nearest tornado was in Wright County. There was an incredible display of Mammatus clouds as the storms rolled into the Twin Cities.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Minnesota’s state record tornado outbreak happened 10 years ago.

Twin Cities National Weather Service

Severe weather risk areas for June 17, 2010

Minnesota's record tornado outbreak was 10 years ago

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