EF-2 tornado confirmed in Wisconsin

At least one tornado has been confirmed after a powerful line of severe thunderstorms swept through Minnesota and Wisconsin on Thursday, producing multiple tornado reports, widespread damaging winds and large, destructive hail.

Confirmed EF-2 tornado

The Twin Cities National Weather Service confirmed that at least one tornado touched down just southeast of New Richmond, Wis., on Thursday with a preliminary rating of EF-2. An EF-2 tornado is considered strong, with estimated wind speeds between 111-135 mph and capable of causing significant damage.

Multiple tornado reports were logged during Thursday’s severe weather outbreak with more than a dozen reports spanning Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In Minnesota, reports came in from Swift, Stearns and Polk counties. In Wisconsin, St. Croix, Clark and Portage counties were among the areas where tornadoes were reported.

Wisconsin experienced large hail on Thursday, with several reports of stones larger than 2 inches, including some as big as softballs. Here’s a sampling:

• 4 inches in Altoona, Wis.

• 2.25 inches in Cottage Grove, Wis.

• 2 inches in Humbird, Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls and Madison, Wis.

Wind was also a major factor in Thursday’s storm damage reports, with gusts exceeding 70 mph in some areas. Here are some of the larger wind reports:

• 73 mph, Kekoskee, Wis.

• 73 mph, Thief River Falls

• 69 mph, Clam Lake, Wis.

• 65 mph, New Auburn, Wis.

• 63 mph, Sheboygan Falls, Wis.

• 63 mph, Eldred

The National Weather Service will be sending out survey teams to assess the damage from Thursday’s storms and confirm the extent of the tornadoes.