Nine possible tornadoes in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but none in Twin Cities
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Much of central and southern Minnesota was on guard Thursday as watches and warnings were issued for potential severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the area. Some places saw storms, wind and even a reported tornado, but in the end, officials called it early and there was little reported damage as of Thursday evening.
MPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner provided updates through Thursday afternoon as storms moved through the region.
5:45 p.m.: Nine possible tornadoes reported
There is still a tornado warning for parts of Roseau and Marshall counties until 6:15 p.m., but the majority of the tornado warnings are now canceled, Huttner said.
Huttner says he’s seeing nine preliminary reports of tornadoes across Minnesota and Wisconsin. In Minnesota: Spring Hill, Benson, Lake Hassel, Danvers, Angus and east of Crookston. In Wisconsin: Roberts, Lawrence and Deer Park.
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“The Twin Cities got super lucky with the cell that came through that we had a tornado warning for. Just didn’t quite have enough oomph to drop the funnel. Thankful, grateful for that,” Huttner said.
4:12 p.m.: Five tornado touchdowns reported
Huttner said at least five tornadoes are reported to have touched down Thursday in the region. Four were in Minnesota, near Spring Hill, Benson, Lake Hassel and Danvers. One was in Wisconsin, near Roberts.
While some tornado warnings have been canceled, there are still warnings for parts of Chippewa and Eau Claire counties in Wisconsin until 4:30 p.m.
Huttner said the most severe weather has passed in the Twin Cities metro area.
3:30 p.m.: Tornado warnings continue in Wisconsin
There’s a tornado warning until 4 p.m. for parts of Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin and Pierce counties in Wisconsin. A tornado warning for Buffalo and St. Croix counties in Wisconsin is in place until 3:30 p.m.
Huttner said there is a long line of storms still showing heavy rotation, from the Brainerd lakes area through Mille Lacs Lake and into the northern Twin Cities and western Wisconsin.
Huttner said as those storms move northeast, more areas may be under severe weather threat later on Thursday afternoon.
3:15 p.m.: Spotters confirm tornado
Huttner said weather spotters confirmed a tornado 7 miles south of Melrose, 29 miles west of St. Cloud, moving north at 45 miles per hour.
“Weather spotters confirmed a tornado 2 miles northeast of Spring Hill around 2:47 p.m.,” Huttner said.
3:00 p.m. Tornado warning moves to Wisconsin
There’s a tornado warning until 3:15 p.m. for northwest Pierce County in Wisconsin. A tornado warning for St. Croix County in Wisconsin is in place until 3:30 p.m.
Huttner said the storm is southeast of Prescott and 11 miles south of River Falls, headed northeast.
“I can see that this storm has a pretty distinct near ‘hook echo’ on it, which means there’s a lot of rotation,” Huttner said.
Huttner said this is a storm capable of producing tornadoes.
2:45 p.m.: Storm moving quickly through metro
The storm is moving quickly to the north, and the tornado warning continues for the northern suburbs.
“If you’re in the central to southwest and west Twin Cities, you’re in the clear now in terms of this tornado warning and severe thunderstorm warning,” Huttner said.
Severe weather will also remain possible through the afternoon.
2:30 p.m.: Storm has potential to produce tornadoes
“The radar is showing a line of rotating storms, from Minnetonka in the western Twin Cities through Eden Prairie and down through Burnsville. That’s the storm that has that tornado warning now,” Huttner said just after 2 p.m. Thursday. “There’s still rotation with that, no confirmation of a tornado, but from what I’m seeing on the radar signature, it has the potential to produce a tornado.”
MPR News meteorologist Mandy Thalhuber said in her Updraft post that there’s a threat for large hail, strong winds and tornadoes Thursday afternoon and evening.
“An enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) covers the eastern metro and Wisconsin, while a slight risk (level 2 of 5) extends across much of central Minnesota, including the southeastern portions,” Thalhuber said in the post.
Huttner said the rotating end of the storm is near Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. He said it has the potential to produce a tornado and recommends people take cover in the Twin Cities metro area.
