Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2025

Tornado Warning 46, NWS Twin Cities, MN

June 25, 2025Freeborn County, Steele County, Waseca County, Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this tornado warning at Jun 25, 2025, 4:27 PM CDT for Freeborn County, Steele County, Waseca County, Minnesota. It was in force for 33 min. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jun 25, 2025, 4:27 PM CDT (21:27 UTC)
Expired
Jun 25, 2025, 5:00 PM CDT
In force
33 min
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Hail
0.0 in

Counties Freeborn County, MN, Steele County, MN, Waseca County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 110 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:31 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jun 25, 4:33 PM CDTTORNADO2 Ne Hartland, MNDamage to barn/shed at farm residence.
Jun 25, 4:37 PM CDTTORNADO1 W Hartland, MNLaw enforcement reports a tornado at the intersection of 310 St. and 685th Ave. outside Hartland.
Jun 25, 4:44 PM CDTTORNADO2 Wsw Ellendale, MNLaw enforcement reports a tornado southwest of Ellendale, moving northeast.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 25, 2:59 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 9.5 hours before the alert went out and 111 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2025-06-25Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2025-06-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 59 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1352 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
59 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
115 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

322 
WFUS53 KMPX 252127
TORMPX
MNC047-147-161-252200-
/O.NEW.KMPX.TO.W.0046.250625T2127Z-250625T2200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
427 PM CDT Wed Jun 25 2025

The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Freeborn County in south central Minnesota...
  Southwestern Steele County in south central Minnesota...
  Southeastern Waseca County in south central Minnesota...

* Until 500 PM CDT.

* At 427 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Hartland, or 
  13 miles northwest of Albert Lea, moving northeast at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  SOURCE...Law enforcement confirmed tornado.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught
           without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or
           destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will
           occur. Tree damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Ellendale, Geneva, Hartland and Steele Center.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built 
building away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, 
or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect 
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4385 9355 4401 9323 4386 9313 4376 9355
      4383 9359
TIME...MOT...LOC 2127Z 243DEG 27KT 4382 9350

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Dye
4 follow-up statements
725 
WWUS53 KMPX 252141
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
441 PM CDT Wed Jun 25 2025

MNC047-147-161-252200-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-250625T2200Z/
Freeborn MN-Steele MN-Waseca MN-
441 PM CDT Wed Jun 25 2025

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM CDT FOR NORTH 
CENTRAL FREEBORN, SOUTHWESTERN STEELE AND SOUTHEASTERN WASECA 
COUNTIES...

At 441 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Ellendale, or 15 
miles north of Albert Lea, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
         Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree
         damage is likely.

Locations impacted include...
  Ellendale, Geneva, Hartland and Steele Center.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built 
building away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, 
or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect 
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4385 9352 4401 9323 4386 9313 4378 9347
TIME...MOT...LOC 2127Z 243DEG 27KT 4382 9350

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Dye
027 
WWUS53 KMPX 252146
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
446 PM CDT Wed Jun 25 2025

MNC161-252156-
/O.CAN.KMPX.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-250625T2200Z/
Waseca MN-
446 PM CDT Wed Jun 25 2025

...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN WASECA COUNTY...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area. 
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT Wednesday for a 
portion of south central Minnesota.

&&

LAT...LON 4390 9341 4400 9322 4386 9313 4380 9343
      4385 9345 4385 9341
TIME...MOT...LOC 2141Z 243DEG 27KT 4387 9337

$$


MNC047-147-252200-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-250625T2200Z/
Freeborn MN-Steele MN-
446 PM CDT Wed Jun 25 2025

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM CDT FOR NORTH 
CENTRAL FREEBORN AND SOUTHWESTERN STEELE COUNTIES...

At 446 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Ellendale, or 15 
miles south of Owatonna, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
         Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree
         damage is likely.

Locations impacted include...
  Ellendale and Steele Center.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built 
building away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, 
or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect 
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4390 9341 4400 9322 4386 9313 4380 9343
      4385 9345 4385 9341
TIME...MOT...LOC 2141Z 243DEG 27KT 4387 9337

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Dye
438 
WWUS53 KMPX 252151
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
451 PM CDT Wed Jun 25 2025

MNC047-147-252200-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-250625T2200Z/
Freeborn MN-Steele MN-
451 PM CDT Wed Jun 25 2025

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM CDT FOR NORTH 
CENTRAL FREEBORN AND SOUTHWESTERN STEELE COUNTIES...

At 451 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Ellendale, or 13 
miles south of Owatonna, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
         Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree
         damage is likely.

Locations impacted include...
  Ellendale and Steele Center.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built 
building away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, 
or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect 
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4389 9341 4398 9321 4386 9313 4381 9338
      4385 9341
TIME...MOT...LOC 2146Z 243DEG 27KT 4388 9332

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Dye
503 
WWUS53 KMPX 252159
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
459 PM CDT Wed Jun 25 2025

MNC047-147-252209-
/O.EXP.KMPX.TO.W.0046.000000T0000Z-250625T2200Z/
Freeborn MN-Steele MN-
459 PM CDT Wed Jun 25 2025

...TORNADO WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM CDT FOR NORTH CENTRAL 
FREEBORN AND SOUTHWESTERN STEELE COUNTIES...

The Tornado Warning that was previously in effect has been reissued 
for Steele County and is in effect until 530 PM CDT. Please refer to 
that bulletin for the latest severe weather information.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT Wednesday for a 
portion of south central Minnesota.

&&

LAT...LON 4389 9341 4398 9321 4386 9313 4381 9338
      4385 9341
TIME...MOT...LOC 2151Z 243DEG 27KT 4390 9327

$$

Dye

The office that day

Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 25, 10:50 AM CDTFlood WatchMPXAnoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago and 24 more10 hr
Jun 25, 11:51 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningMPXRenville6 hr
Jun 25, 3:02 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningMPXAnoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and 1 more4 hr
Jun 25, 3:46 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedMPXFreeborn, Steele, Waseca14 min
Jun 25, 3:51 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMPXAnoka, Carver, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington3 hr
Jun 25, 3:53 PM CDTTornado WarningMPXFaribault22 min
Jun 25, 3:57 PM CDTTornado WarningMPXFreeborn18 min
Jun 25, 4:01 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedMPXFreeborn, Steele18 min
Jun 25, 4:09 PM CDTTornado WarningMPXBlue Earth, Le Sueur36 min
Jun 25, 4:29 PM CDTTornado WarningMPXFaribault, Freeborn18 min
Jun 25, 4:32 PM CDTTornado WarningMPXRice28 min
Jun 25, 4:56 PM CDTTornado WarningMPXSteele12 min
Jun 25, 4:58 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedMPXGoodhue, Rice18 min
Jun 25, 5:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXSteele, Waseca38 min
Jun 25, 5:25 PM CDTTornado WarningMPXGoodhue20 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Minnesota, 2025Every tornado warning in 2025Tornadoes in 2025

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.