Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, May 15, 1998

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, May 15, 1998
Start: 1998-05-15T13:25
End: 1998-05-15T17:11
Location: Minnesota

May 15, 1998 · NWS MPX · 74 events in 18 counties and zones

43 thunderstorm wind, 25 hail, 5 tornado, 1 lightning, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 31
Property damage: $950 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 74

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 155 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:25 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

43 thunderstorm wind, 25 hail, 5 tornado, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Faribault

When: May 15, 1:25 PM CST
Where: Faribault County, Elmore
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $10 million
Coordinates: 43.500, -94.080

20 to 40 homes damaged. Estimated windspeed. Damage estimate for entire county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Faribault

When: May 15, 1:27 PM CST
Where: Faribault County, Frost
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 43.580, -93.930

Doors blown in at fire station. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Martin

When: May 15, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Martin County, 3 mi SW of Fairmont
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Property damage: $1.0 million
Coordinates: 43.620, -94.520

Grain bin blown over. Estimated windspeed. Vehicle damage due to hail.

Hail, Faribault

When: May 15, 1:35 PM CST
Where: Faribault County, 1 mi S of Blue Earth
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 43.620, -94.100

Hail, Faribault

When: May 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Faribault County, Blue Earth
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 43.630, -94.100

Hail, Blue Earth

When: May 15, 2:01 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, Beauford
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.020, -93.970

Strong winds also blew four semitrailers off road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nicollet

When: May 15, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Nicollet County, North Mankato
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 44.180, -94.020

Trees and power lines blown over. Estimated windspeed. Vehicle damage from wind-driven hail.

Tornado, Faribault

When: May 15, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Faribault County, Blue Earth
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Coordinates: 43.630, -94.100

Brief touchdown tore roof off metal structure at canning plant.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nicollet

When: May 15, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Nicollet County, Lafayette
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.450, -94.400

Trees blown onto cars. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blue Earth

When: May 15, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, 3 mi WSW of St Clair
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.070, -93.900

Garage destroyed. Significant damage to outbuildings. Debris scattered up to a mile northeast of damage site. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blue Earth

When: May 15, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, 3 mi E of St Clair
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.080, -93.780

Barn flattened. Machine shed and grain bin destroyed. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blue Earth

When: May 15, 2:25 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, Mankato
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 44.170, -94.020

Measured at law enforcement center. Extensive tree damage. Windows blown out. Semitrailer blown over on highway 14 injuring one person.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blue Earth

When: May 15, 2:25 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, 1 mi NE of Mankato
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage: $20 million
Coordinates: 44.180, -94.000

Trees down. Roof damage. Estimated windspeed. Damage estimate for entire county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Le Sueur

When: May 15, 2:50 PM CST
Where: Le Sueur County, 5 mi S of Le Center
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.330, -93.730

Trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Le Sueur

When: May 15, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Le Sueur County, Montgomery
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.430, -93.580

Trees down. Windows blown out. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Scott

When: May 15, 3:03 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 1 mi E of New Prague
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 44.550, -93.550

Hail, Le Sueur

When: May 15, 3:04 PM CST
Where: Le Sueur County, 5 mi W of New Prague
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $20 million
Coordinates: 44.550, -93.670

Numerous houses and vehicles damaged by wind-driven hail. Damage estimate for entire county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sibley

When: May 15, 3:05 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, Green Isle to 9 mi of Green Isle
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.630, -93.850

2.5 foot diameter trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Tornado, McLeod

When: May 15, 3:10 PM CST to 3:12 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, 5 mi N of Silver Lake
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 44.970, -94.200

Brief tornado touchdown destroying 6 farm buildings and damaged homestead. Debris hurled over nearby Butternut Lake. Posts driven 2 feet into the ground.

Hail, Carver

When: May 15, 3:13 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Cologne
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.770, -93.780

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: May 15, 3:13 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Cologne
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 44.770, -93.780

Hail, Scott

When: May 15, 3:17 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Prior Lake
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 44.720, -93.420

Thunderstorm Wind, Meeker

When: May 15, 3:20 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, Cedar Mills
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.930, -94.530

Trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: May 15, 3:20 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Waconia
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.850, -93.780

Large trees blown over. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: May 15, 3:20 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Howard Lake
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.070, -94.080

Trees and power lines down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: May 15, 3:21 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Savage
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage: $170 million
Coordinates: 44.780, -93.330

Large hail propelled by strong winds resulted in widespread roof and house damage. Windows at public works blown out. Roof damage to library and schools. Damage estimate for entire county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dakota

When: May 15, 3:21 PM CST
Where: Dakota County, Burnsville
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.800, -93.320

Windows blown in. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:22 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Eden Prairie
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 44.850, -93.480

Measured at Flying Cloud Airport.

Hail, Scott

When: May 15, 3:23 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Savage
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.780, -93.330

Hail, Scott

When: May 15, 3:24 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Savage
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.780, -93.330

Thunderstorm Wind, Dakota

When: May 15, 3:24 PM CST
Where: Dakota County, Farmington
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.630, -93.150

Hail, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:25 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Bloomington
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Property damage: $450 million
Coordinates: 44.820, -93.320

Severe damage to automobile dealership. Damage estimate for entire county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meeker

When: May 15, 3:25 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 3 mi W of Dassel
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Property damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 45.080, -94.380

Semitrailer blown off highway 12. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:25 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Eden Prairie
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.850, -93.480

Measured at Flying Cloud Airport.

Hail, Dakota

When: May 15, 3:27 PM CST
Where: Dakota County, Eagan
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.800, -93.170

Hail, Scott

When: May 15, 3:27 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Shakopee
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.800, -93.520

Hail, Dakota

When: May 15, 3:29 PM CST
Where: Dakota County, Burnsville
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $100 million
Coordinates: 44.800, -93.320

Widespread damage to houses and vehicles by wind driven hail. Damage estimate for entire county.

Hail, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Eden Prairie
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.850, -93.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Long Lake
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.980, -93.570

1 foot diameter trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Minneapolis
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 45.000, -93.280

Hail, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Edina
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Coordinates: 44.900, -93.350

5 foot diameter trees also blown down in possible microburst. Some trees snapped in half.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: May 15, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Victoria
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $5.0 million
Coordinates: 44.850, -93.650

Windows broken. Trees blown down. Partial structural damage to building. Scattered areas damaged to wind driven hail. Estimated windspeed. Damage estimate for entire county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: May 15, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 10 mi SW of St Cloud
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $1.0 million
Coordinates: 45.470, -94.320

Roof damage. Trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: May 15, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 10 mi S of St Cloud
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.420, -94.170

1 foot diameter trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Mound
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.930, -93.670

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Minneapolis
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph)
Coordinates: 45.000, -93.280

Measured at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dakota

When: May 15, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Dakota County, 3 mi S of Lakeville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.620, -93.250

2 foot diameter trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:32 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Minnetonka
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.970, -93.430

Strong winds also knocked down trees.

Hail, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:33 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Hopkins
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.930, -93.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: May 15, 3:33 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Annandale
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.270, -94.130

Trees and power lines down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Ramsey

When: May 15, 3:35 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, St Paul
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.970, -93.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:35 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Wayzata
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.970, -93.520

Hundreds of trees blown down. Damage to homes and garages. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:36 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Minneapolis
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Coordinates: 45.000, -93.280

Damage to airplanes at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When: May 15, 3:38 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, St Paul
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.970, -93.150

Trees down at Snelling and Interstate 94. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:38 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Corcoran
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 45.100, -93.570

Roof blown off business. Police trailer toppled.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When: May 15, 3:39 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, St Paul
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.970, -93.150

Measured at Regents Hospital.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: May 15, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Golden Vly
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.000, -93.400

Trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Anoka

When: May 15, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Fridley
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $1.0 million
Coordinates: 45.080, -93.250

Scattered damage from wind driven hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When: May 15, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Spring Lake Park
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Property damage: $600,000
Coordinates: 45.120, -93.230

Roof ripped off apartment building.

Tornado, Stearns

When: May 15, 3:40 PM CST to 3:46 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, Albany to St Francis
Rating: F1
Path length: 9 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 30 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $3.0 million
Coordinates: 45.630, -94.570

Tornado struck outdoor flea market in Albany, blowing numerous recreational vehicles over. One man was killed when a recreational vehicle was blown on top of him. 30 others were injured. A farmstead was severely damaged northeast of St. Francis just before liftoff of the tornado.

Tornado, Ramsey

When: May 15, 3:40 PM CST to 3:50 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, Roseville to North Oaks
Rating: F1
Path length: 7 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Property damage: $150 million
Coordinates: 45.020, -93.150

Tornado touched down in Roseville, and travelled straight north through Shoreview, North Oaks, Lino Lakes, eventually lifting off in Blaine in Anoka County. 7 houses destroyed, 102 severely damaged. Damaged estimate for entire county including widespread wind driven hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: May 15, 3:42 PM CST
Where: Wright County, South Haven
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.300, -94.220

Power lines down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: May 15, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Buffalo
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.180, -93.900

Airplane flipped over. Trees knocked down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: May 15, 3:47 PM CST
Where: Wright County, St Michael
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $2.0 million
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.220, -93.680

Trailer office blown over. Trees also blown over. Estimated windspeed. Damage estimate for entire county.

Tornado, Anoka

When: May 15, 3:50 PM CST to 3:55 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Lino Lakes to Blaine
Rating: F1
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Property damage: $1.0 million
Coordinates: 45.170, -93.120

See narrative for Ramsey County.

Lightning, Anoka

When: May 15, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Ramsey
Coordinates: 45.273, -93.246 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

House struck by lightning.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherburne

When: May 15, 3:55 PM CST
Where: Sherburne County, Elk River
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $3.0 million
Coordinates: 45.300, -93.580

Garage destroyed. Roof ripped off nursery. Estimated windspeed. Many trees blown over. Damage estimate for entire county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When: May 15, 3:59 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Anoka Co Blaine Arpt
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph)
Coordinates: 45.130, -93.220

Hail, Anoka

When: May 15, 3:59 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Coon Rapids
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $1.0 million
Coordinates: 45.170, -93.320

Scattered damage to houses from wind driven hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: May 15, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 5 mi S of St Cloud
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.500, -94.170

Trees down. Roof damage. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: May 15, 4:01 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Howard Lake
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.070, -94.080

Trees blown over. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Washington

When: May 15, 4:06 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Forest Lake
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $10 million
Coordinates: 45.280, -92.980

Scattered house and vehicle damage from wind driven hail. Damage estimate for entire county.

Hail, Anoka

When: May 15, 4:06 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Linwood
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 45.350, -93.130

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherburne

When: May 15, 5:11 PM CST
Where: Sherburne County, Zimmerman
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.450, -93.580

Trees and power lines down. Estimated windspeed.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Tornado, Stearns	1998-05-15	78	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Direct

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Minnesota in 1998 Every state in 1998 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 1998 Warnings in Minnesota, May 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5647920, 5647694, 5647904, 5647695, 5647905, 5647696, 5647906, 5647913, 5647910, 5647911, 5647912, 5647697, 5647698, 5647699, 5647700, 5647701, 5647702, 5647703, 5649317, 5647704, 5647705, 5647706, 5647707, 5647917, 5649312, 5647709, 5647710, 5647711, 5647712, 5647708, 5647713, 5647714, 5647715, 5647907, 5647716, 5647717, 5647796, 5647797, 5647798, 5647799, and more.