Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, May 9, 2004

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, May 9, 2004
Start: 2004-05-09T10:42
End: 2004-05-09T22:11
Location: Minnesota

May 9, 2004 · NWS MPX · 94 events in 27 counties and zones

64 hail, 28 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $330,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 94

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.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Twin Cities, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 9, 4:30 AM CST, 6 hours 12 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 9, 4:30 AM CST, 6 hours 12 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
530 AM CDT SUN MAY 9 2004

.DISCUSSION...
WARM FRONT OVER NORTHERN IA EARLY THIS MORNING WILL PUSH N INTO
CENTRAL MN EARLY THIS AFT AND THEN STALL OVER NE ZONES THRU THIS
EVE. LOW PRES EMBEDDED IN A N/S ORIENTED SFC TROF OVER THE WESTERN
DAKOTAS THIS MORNING WILL PUSH EAST ALONG WARM FRONT LATE AFT/EARLY
EVE. THIS CAUSES TRIPLE POINT TO MOVE THRU ZONES DURING PEAK HEATING
WHICH WILL SERVE AS A FOCUS FOR SVR STORMS.

SOUTH OF THE WARM FRONT LCLS CLIMB TO 5KFT WHICH HELPS TO NEGATE
OVERALL THREAT OF TORNADOES FROM SIG SHEAR THE TRIPLE POINT BRINGS.
HOWEVER...SHEAR PRESENT NEAR AND JUST NORTHEAST OF WARM FRONT ACROSS
NE AND E CWA IN COMBO WITH LCLS FCST THERE BELOW 4KFT THIS
AFT...ISOLATED TOR THREAT CANNOT BE RULED OUT IN THAT REGION.

HOWEVER...MOST SUBSTANTIAL THREAT OVERALL WILL BE VERY LARGE HAIL
WITH SUPERCELLS THAT DEVELOP IN RIPE ATMOS BETWEEN 3PM AND 10 PM.
BUFKIT SOUNDINGS SHOW DEEP CAPE LAYER OF UP TO 3500 J/KG /HIGHEST
CAPES SW CWA/ AND WBZ HEIGHTS AS LOW AS 6KFT. MESO MODELS SHOW UP
TO -8 LIS ALONG AND S OF WARM FRONT THIS AFT AS WELL. WITH SUCH
LARGE UPDRAFT AREAS HIGH WINDS COULD ALSO MIX DOWN... ESPECIALLY
IN AREAS WHERE LOTS OF SUN BREAKS OUT AFTER MID MORNING.

BEFORE DIURNAL CONVECTION KICKS OFF...SOME SCT MORNING TSRA POSSIBLE
DUE TO 500MB MINI SHORT WAVE PASSING OVHD. THAT FEATURE IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING PRECIP NOW MOVING THRU N MN. SOUNDINGS SHOW
GOOD MIXING LATE THIS MORNING WITH WARM FRONT MOVING THRU SO DEBRIS
CLOUDS FROM THIS MORNINGS SCT STORMS SHUD BREAK UP SIGNIFICANTLY BY
MIDDAY ALLOWING INSTABILITY FCST BY THIS AFT TO MATERIALIZE.

SFC TROF WILL SWINGS THRU ZONES FROM 03Z-14Z MON FROM NW TO SE.
PRECIP WILL COME TO AN END AFTER TROF PASSAGE DUE TO SIG DRIER AIR
MOVING IN AT LOW LEVELS BEHIND FEATURE. WILL LEAVE SLIGHT CHANCE
SHRA/TSRA FAR SE ZONES MON MORNING TO COVER ANY LINGERING PRECIP.
CWA EXPECTED TO BE DRY THRU EARLY TUE WITH SFC HIGH BUILDING IN FROM
NW. BY MON NIGHT SIG LOW FCST TO DEVELOP IN LEE OF ROCKIES
AND WAA AND S SFC FLOW QUICKLY MOVES INTO CWA FROM SW TO NE TUE
MORN. WARM FRONT ASSOC WITH FEATURE PASSING THRU TUE WARRENTS 30
POP.

LONG TERM OUTLOOK...WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...MODELS ARE GENERAL
AGREEMENT WITH OVERALL WEATHER PATTERN THROUGH 168 HOURS. ALL MODELS
GFS/UKMET ECMWF ALL DEPICTED A SLOW PROGRESSION OF THE LONGWAVE
TROUGH AND 700 MB TROUGH THROUGH THE UPPER MIDWEST DAYS 4 AND 5.
THIS SHOULD ALLOW SOME GULF MOISTURE TO RETURN TO THE UPPER MIDWEST
AND GENERATE SOME MUCH MORE NEEDED RAINFALL OVER THE MIDWEST.
LONGWAVE TROUGH LIFTS NORTHEAST AND DEAMPLIFY OVER EASTERN CANADA BY
FRIDAY MORNING.  HOWEVER...MODELS INDICATED ANOTHER SHORTWAVE TROUGH
MOVING INTO THE NORTHERN PLAINS/UPPER MIDWEST FRIDAY NIGHT AND
SATURDAY.  BOTH THE ECMWF/GFS SHOW THIS FEATURE WITH THE PAST COUPLE
OF MODEL RUNS...INDICATING MORE AMPLIFY AND SHARPER TROUGH...WL
CONTINUE THE LOW/MEDIUM RANGE POPS FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY.
TIMING AND FAST MOVING SHORTWAVE TROUGH WILL LIMITED THE RETURN OF
LOW LEVEL MOISTURE AHEAD OF THIS SYSTEM.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...NONE.
WI...NONE.

&&

MKM/JVM

Hazardous weather outlook, May 9, 10:24 AM CST, 18 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...CORRECTED FOR GRAMMAR
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1124 AM CDT SUN MAY 9 2004

MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028-101100-
ANOKA-BARRON-BENTON-BLUE EARTH-BROWN-CARVER-CHIPPEWA-CHISAGO-DAKOTA-
DOUGLAS-DUNN-EAU CLAIRE-FARIBAULT-FREEBORN-GOODHUE-HENNEPIN-ISANTI-
KANABEC-KANDIYOHI-LAC QUI PARLE-LE SUEUR-MARTIN-MCLEOD-MEEKER-
MILLE LACS-MORRISON-NICOLLET-PEPIN-PIERCE-POLK-POPE-RAMSEY-REDWOOD-
RENVILLE-RICE-RUSK-SCOTT-SHERBURNE-SIBLEY-ST CROIX-STEARNS-STEELE-
STEVENS-SWIFT-TODD-WASECA-WASHINGTON-WATONWAN-WRIGHT-YELLOW MEDICINE-
1124 AM CDT SUN MAY 9 2004

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND
SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...AND WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS UPGRADED FROM SLIGHT TO MODERATE THE
RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT ACROSS
CENTRAL AND SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA INTO WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN.

STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY DEVELOP ACROSS CENTRAL
MINNESOTA THIS AFTERNOON...AND THEN TRACK ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL
MINNESOTA AND WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN TONIGHT.  THE SEVERE
WEATHER THREAT WILL BE LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS AND
TORNADOES.  THIS SEVERE WEATHER THREAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO
PRODUCE SEVERAL STRONG TORNADOES.

SOME LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...WHICH MAY CAUSE SOME
URBAN FLOODING AND PONDING OF WATER IN LOW-LYING AREAS.

ALL INTERESTS SHOULD MONITOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION THIS
AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...AND KEEP ONE EYE ON THE SKY FOR APPROACHING
THUNDERSTORMS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

ANOTHER FRONTAL SYSTEM WILL TAKE SHAPE OVER THE EASTERN ROCKIES
TUESDAY. WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY TUESDAY
THROUGH THURSDAY. HEAVY RAINS...LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS ARE
POSSIBLE WITH THE STRONGER STORMS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL MOST LIKELY BE NEEDED THIS
AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

MBK

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 163 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:40 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

64 hail, 28 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Yellow Medicine

When: May 9, 10:42 AM CST
Where: Yellow Medicine County, 7 mi NE of Clarkfield
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 44.850, -95.700

Thunderstorm Wind, Yellow Medicine

When: May 9, 10:42 AM CST
Where: Yellow Medicine County, 7 mi NE of Clarkfield
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 44.850, -95.700

A small shed was destroyed.

Hail, Stevens

When: May 9, 1:08 PM CST
Where: Stevens County, Chokio
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.583, -96.183

Hail, Stevens

When: May 9, 1:08 PM CST
Where: Stevens County, 1 mi E of Chokio
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.583, -96.167

Hail, Stevens

When: May 9, 1:29 PM CST
Where: Stevens County, Morris
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 45.583, -95.933

Hail, Swift

When: May 9, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Swift County, 8 mi N of Holloway
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.367, -96.933

Hail, Pope

When: May 9, 1:50 PM CST to 2:20 PM CST
Where: Pope County, 13 mi S of Cyrus
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 45.433, -95.750

Nickel to golf ball sized hail was reported.

Hail, Swift

When: May 9, 2:17 PM CST
Where: Swift County, Murdock
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 45.233, -95.400

Dime to golf ball sized hail covered the ground.

Hail, Kandiyohi

When: May 9, 2:21 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, Sunburg
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.350, -94.233

Dime sized hail was reported 20 miles east of Benson.

Hail, Pope

When: May 9, 2:23 PM CST
Where: Pope County, 5 mi SE of Sedan
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.533, -95.183

Dime sized hail fell 2 miles west of Brooten.

Hail, Swift

When: May 9, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Swift County, 10 mi E of Benson
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.317, -95.417

Hail, Swift

When: May 9, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Swift County, Kerkhoven
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 45.200, -95.317

Hail, Stearns

When: May 9, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 6 mi S of Brooten
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.417, -95.117

Thunderstorm Wind, Kandiyohi

When: May 9, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 2 mi NW of Pennock
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 45.167, -95.217

Winds estimated at 70 MPH ripped off the roof of a turkey barn along Route 12.

Hail, Stearns

When: May 9, 2:47 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 4 mi SE of Paynesville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.350, -94.683

Thunderstorm Wind, Kandiyohi

When: May 9, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, Willmar
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 45.133, -95.050

A county official recorded a wind gust of of 74 MPH on the north side of town. A woman driving on Gorton Ave. had her windows blown out.

Hail, Kandiyohi

When: May 9, 2:57 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 2 mi E of Hawick
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 45.350, -94.817

Thunderstorm Wind, Kandiyohi

When: May 9, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 2 mi W of Spicer
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 45.233, -94.983

A garage under construction on 113th Ave. NE (Route 10) was damaged. The time was estimated.

Hail, Stearns

When: May 9, 3:03 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, Paynesville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.383, -94.733

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: May 9, 3:03 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 2 mi S of Paynesville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.350, -94.733

A pontoon boat was blown off its lift.

Hail, Meeker

When: May 9, 3:08 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 1 mi S of Crow River
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.233, -94.733

Thunderstorm Wind, Meeker

When: May 9, 3:10 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 5 mi SW of Watkins
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 45.267, -94.483

A fish house was blown over and rolled 50 feet.

Hail, Meeker

When: May 9, 3:13 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 2 mi W of Eden Vly
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.333, -94.583

Dime sized hail fell in Eden Valley.

Hail, Wright

When: May 9, 3:14 PM CST to 3:15 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 5 mi NE of Annandale
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 45.317, -94.067

Walnut sized hail was reported at Sugar Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: May 9, 3:15 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 3 mi SE of Paynesville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.350, -94.683

A 10 inch diameter tree was snapped in half.

Hail, Meeker

When: May 9, 3:18 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, Grove City
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 45.150, -94.700

Hail, Meeker

When: May 9, 3:20 PM CST to 3:21 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 5 mi N of Litchfield
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 45.200, -94.533

Hail, Meeker

When: May 9, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 5 mi NE of Dassel
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 45.133, -94.250

The time was estimated.

Hail, Meeker

When: May 9, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, Watkins
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 45.317, -94.417

Thunderstorm Wind, Meeker

When: May 9, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 2 mi SW of Watkins
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 45.300, -94.450

Trees were downed and a pop-up trailer was opened and rolled in town. A shed 2 miles southwest of town was damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meeker

When: May 9, 3:33 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 5 mi SW of Litchfield
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 45.083, -94.600

Two turkey barns were slightly damaged along Route 23 near Long Lake.

Hail, Wright

When: May 9, 3:43 PM CST to 3:58 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Cokato
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.083, -94.200

Penny sized hail fell for 15 minutes.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: May 9, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Wright County, St Michael
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 45.217, -93.683

An automated weather sensor recorded a wind gust of 60 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: May 9, 3:55 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, Hutchinson
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.883, -94.367

An automated weather sensor recorded a wind gust of 68 MPH. A tree was downed onto Jefferson Street SE.

Hail, Wright

When: May 9, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 1 mi N of Howard Lake
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.083, -94.083

Tornado, Sherburne

When: May 9, 4:00 PM CST to 4:05 PM CST
Where: Sherburne County, Big Lake
Rating: F0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 45.333, -93.767

A tornado touched down near Preusse Lake just east of Big Lake Industrial Park. It sucked up water as it crossed the lake then after hitting land it downed trees near a home on 172nd Street. The twister crossed over 172nd Street then went into the Bruggeman residential development before dissipating. A home on Sundstrom Hill lost shingles and soffit and a flag pole was downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherburne

When: May 9, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Sherburne County, Elk River
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 45.300, -93.583

A few trees and power lines were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: May 9, 4:10 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, 4 mi NW of Silver Lake
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.933, -94.250

Trees were downed onto Kale Aveunue. The time was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: May 9, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Wright County, South Haven
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 45.300, -94.217

Three trees were snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When: May 9, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Nowthen
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 45.333, -93.483

A hoop greenhouse building and the trees and shrubs inside the structure were damaged at a nursery. The time was estimated.

Tornado, Hennepin

When: May 9, 4:21 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Greenfield
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 45.133, -93.633

A house was damaged and an attached garage was destroyed along 76th Lane.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: May 9, 4:21 PM CST to 4:45 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Countywide
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 45.000, -93.483

Trees were downed in Plymouth, Orono, Independence, Crystal, St. Anthony, and Rogers. Sailboats were capsized and docks were damaged at Medicine Lake in Plymouth. A flat roof was peeled up on a building in Brooklyn Center. A tree fell through a roof in Crystal.

Hail, McLeod

When: May 9, 4:27 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, 5 mi S of Hutchinson
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.817, -94.367

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: May 9, 4:27 PM CST
Where: Carver County, 3 mi W of Cologne
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.767, -93.850

Heavy debris was reported in the air near the county maintenance building between Norwood and Cologne along Route 212.

Thunderstorm Wind, Isanti

When: May 9, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Isanti County, 3 mi S of Isanti
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.450, -93.250

Power lines were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When: May 9, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Ramsey
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 45.250, -93.433

Nine power poles along County Road 5 and 167th Ave. were snapped. The time was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: May 9, 4:35 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, New Hope
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 45.067, -93.367

An automated weather sensor recorded a wind gust of 60 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: May 9, 4:35 PM CST
Where: Carver County, 3 mi S of Chanhassen
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 44.817, -93.533

Trees were downed at the intersection of routes 212 and 101. The time was estimated.

Hail, McLeod

When: May 9, 4:35 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, Glencoe
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.767, -94.150

Hail, Hennepin

When: May 9, 4:40 PM CST to 4:42 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, 1 mi NE of Minneapolis
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.017, -93.267

Penny sized hail fell in St. Anthony and at Lake Nokomis.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: May 9, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Minneapolis
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 45.000, -93.283

A wind gust of 66 MPH was recorded by an automated weather sensor. Trees were downed at the intersection of Portland and 5th avenues and on a house in the northeast portion of town.

Hail, Hennepin

When: May 9, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Brooklyn Center
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.050, -93.350

Hail, McLeod

When: May 9, 4:40 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, 8 mi W of Glencoe
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.767, -94.317

Penny sized hail fell in Sumter and at Lake Marion. The time was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When: May 9, 4:45 PM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, St Paul
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $330,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.967, -93.150

A wind gust of 72 MPH was recorded by an automated sensor at Holman Field at 6:00 PM CDT. Numerous trees and power lines were downed from St. Anthony Park to the State Fairgrounds to the State Capitol including the southern portion of Como Park and the Midway area. A handful of buildings and signs at the fairgrounds were damaged. Four homes, a large porch, a fence, and a car near Como Park were significantly damaged by felled trees. In downtown about 60 windows were broken on buildings and skyways and a large billboard was downed onto power lines. Two of four clock faces were damaged on top of Landmark Center. The high winds also caused two barges to break loose on the Mississippi River and bump into the Robert Street Bridge.

Hail, Ramsey

When: May 9, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, St Paul
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.967, -93.150

Hail, Anoka

When: May 9, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Blaine
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 45.183, -93.217

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: May 9, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Forest Lake
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 45.283, -92.983

An automated weather sensor recorded a wind gust of 60 MPH. The time was estimated.

Hail, Ramsey

When: May 9, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, New Brighton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 45.067, -93.200

Hail, McLeod

When: May 9, 4:54 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, Brownton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.733, -94.350

Hail, Washington

When: May 9, 4:59 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Woodbury
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.900, -92.950

Hail, Carver

When: May 9, 4:59 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Victoria
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 44.850, -93.650

Dime sized hail fell at Deer Run Golf Course.

Hail, Ramsey

When: May 9, 5:02 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, 1 mi NE of Maplewood
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 45.150, -93.333

Penny sized hail was reported at the intersection of routes 36 and 120.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chisago

When: May 9, 5:03 PM CST
Where: Chisago County, 2 mi N of Shafer
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 45.417, -92.750

Six inch diameter trees were downed.

Hail, Sibley

When: May 9, 5:07 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, 4 mi NE of New Auburn
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.700, -94.183

Hail, Sibley

When: May 9, 5:08 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, 3 mi N of Green Isle
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.733, -94.017

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: May 9, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Shakopee
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 44.800, -93.517

Large branches were downed.

Hail, Ramsey

When: May 9, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, North St Paul
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.000, -93.000

Hail, Scott

When: May 9, 5:19 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 2 mi SW of Prior Lake
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.700, -93.450

Hail, Washington

When: May 9, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Cottage Grove
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 44.833, -92.883

Hail, Scott

When: May 9, 5:46 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 1 mi E of Prior Lake
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.717, -93.400

Hail, Dakota

When: May 9, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Dakota County, Lakeville
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.667, -93.250

Hail, Dakota

When: May 9, 6:01 PM CST
Where: Dakota County, Apple Vly
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 47.883, -91.883

Hail, Dakota

When: May 9, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Dakota County, Hastings
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.733, -92.850

Hail, Scott

When: May 9, 6:16 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Belle Plaine
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.633, -93.767

Dime sized hail fell west of town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: May 9, 6:33 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Belle Plaine
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 44.633, -93.767

A wind gust of 63 MPH was recorded by an automated weather sensor.

Hail, Scott

When: May 9, 6:46 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 3 mi SW of Jordan
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.633, -93.683

Hail, Blue Earth

When: May 9, 6:53 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, 1 mi W of Cambria
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.233, -94.333

Hail, Scott

When: May 9, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Belle Plaine
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.633, -93.767

Hail, Brown

When: May 9, 7:19 PM CST
Where: Brown County, 5 mi E of Sleepy Eye
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.300, -94.633

Hail, Le Sueur

When: May 9, 7:33 PM CST
Where: Le Sueur County, 5 mi N of Kilkenny
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.383, -93.567

Hail, Nicollet

When: May 9, 7:34 PM CST
Where: Nicollet County, 4 mi NW of Nicollet
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 44.317, -94.250

Enough nickel sized hail fell to shovel at Swan Lake.

Hail, Le Sueur

When: May 9, 7:35 PM CST to 7:41 PM CST
Where: Le Sueur County, Montgomery
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.433, -93.583

Hail, Nicollet

When: May 9, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Nicollet County, 4 mi N of Nicollet
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.333, -94.200

Thunderstorm Wind, Nicollet

When: May 9, 7:50 PM CST
Where: Nicollet County, 5 mi S of Nicollet
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.217, -94.200

A large tree was downed onto Judson Bottom Road. The time was estimated.

Hail, Rice

When: May 9, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Rice County, Dundas
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.433, -93.217

Hail, Blue Earth

When: May 9, 8:03 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, Cambria
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.233, -94.317

Hail, Rice

When: May 9, 8:05 PM CST
Where: Rice County, 7 mi NW of Faribault
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.367, -93.367

Hail, Blue Earth

When: May 9, 8:19 PM CST to 8:20 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, Mankato
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.167, -94.017

Hail, Rice

When: May 9, 8:23 PM CST
Where: Rice County, 4 mi E of Faribault
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.300, -93.183

Hail, Blue Earth

When: May 9, 8:24 PM CST to 8:28 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, 2 mi E of Eagle Lake
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.167, -93.850

Penny to quarter sized hail fell near Madison Lake.

Hail, Rice

When: May 9, 8:35 PM CST
Where: Rice County, Morristown
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 44.233, -93.450

Hail, Goodhue

When: May 9, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Goodhue County, 4 mi N of Zumbrota
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.350, -92.667

Hail, Goodhue

When: May 9, 8:57 PM CST
Where: Goodhue County, 3 mi W of Zumbrota
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.300, -92.733

Hail, Freeborn

When: May 9, 10:11 PM CST
Where: Freeborn County, Albert Lea
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.650, -93.383

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Minnesota in 2004 Every state in 2004 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 2004 Warnings in Minnesota, May 2004

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: 5395517, 5395518, 5395519, 5395520, 5395521, 5395522, 5395523, 5395525, 5395573, 5395574, 5395552, 5395576, 5395575, 5395577, 5395578, 5395579, 5395553, 5395524, 5395580, 5395581, 5395582, 5395583, 5395584, 5395585, 5395586, 5395587, 5395588, 5395589, 5395590, 5395591, 5395592, 5395652, 5395595, 5395594, 5395653, 5395654, 5395655, 5395593, 5395656, 5395657, and more.