Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Minnesota, June 17 to 18, 2012

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Minnesota, June 17 to 18, 2012
Start: 2012-06-17T17:37
End: 2012-06-18T09:00
Location: Minnesota

June 17 to 18, 2012 · NWS MPX · 73 events in 20 counties and zones

A large cluster of thunderstorms that formed across the eastern Dakotas, moved eastward and developed a long-lived bow echo that moved across southern Minnesota during the evening of Sunday June 17th. Numerous trees, power lines, barns and roofs were damaged or destroyed across a large portion in southern Minnesota.

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: $1.3 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 73

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 happened

The episode as NWS MPX wrote it up.

Winds were clocked at 78 mph at the Appleton Airport, and knocked down power lines, tore open a machine shed on a farm place north of Appleton, and twisted the foundation for a grain dryer, snapping the liquid propane line to it. Five power poles along Minnesota Highway 7 just north of Appleton were toppled, knocking out power to rural areas and about of Appleton for two to three hours.

In Lac Qui Parle County, the winds tore metal roofing off a portion of a building in Madison, and snapped small tree branches in town.

In eastern Kandiyohi County, the roof of a shed at the Central Lakes Cooperative just outside of Atwater was torn off and a turkey barn on Highway 12 was damaged. Highway crews used snowplows to move numerous branches from State Highway 12 in Atwater, and power was affected in five substations in the region, particularly the one in Atwater.

The western and northwestern portions of Meeker County were hit hard with severe damage around Grove City, where at least 14 buildings were damaged, including six turkey barns, sheds, grain bins and one residence with extensive roof damage. The Meeker Cooperative said more than 30 power poles were lost and numerous lines downed because of wind and falling trees. The athletic fields at the High School in Grove City were damaged, with football bleachers flipped over onto the field and a dugout damaged on the baseball field. A section of State Highway 4 in Meeker County was shut down due to debris on the road.

Golf ball sized hail and some two inches in diameter were reported in Le Sueur, Rice and Goodhue counties but no major damage was reported.

In addition to the severe winds and hail, very heavy rainfall occurred, especially in the communities of Willmar, Cannon Falls, and Jordan. All three areas reported rainfall of more than 3 inches, with led to flooding. Transportation officials closed Highway 20 near Cannon Falls and Highway 50 near Miesville Monday morning due to flooding. The flooding damaged roads, bridges, utilities, buildings and recreation areas. Preliminary damage assessments revealed more than 5 million dollars in costs and damages.

Wind storms and flooding during the period June 14-21 led to Dakota, Goodhue, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Rice and Sibley counties being among those Minnesota counties designated disaster areas by presidential declaration on July 6, 2012.

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 Jun 17, 5:10 PM CST, 27 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 17, 5:10 PM CST, 27 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
610 PM CDT SUN JUN 17 2012

.UPDATED FOR 00Z AVIATION DISCUSSION BELOW...

.DISCUSSION...

TO SAY THE NEXT FEW DAYS WILL BE ACTIVE IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT WITH
SEVERAL ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS/SEVERE WEATHER EXPECTED...ALONG WITH
A RISK FOR MORE FLASH FLOODING. STILL ANTICIPATING A SEVERE WEATHER
EPISODE THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT. LOOKING LIKE WE GET A BREAK IN
THE ACTION DURING THE DAY MONDAY...BEFORE A WARM FRONT COMES SURGING
BACK NORTH MONDAY NIGHT. THIS FRONT WILL BE ANCHORED OVER THE AREA
TUESDAY THOUGH WEDNESDAY...WITH MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS
EXPECTED OVER THOSE TWO DAYS. BESIDE SEVERE WEATHER
TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY...FLOW WILL BE NEARLY PARALLEL TO THE FRONT...WITH
THREAT FOR TRAINING THUNDERSTORMS AND FLASH FLOODING EXISTING THOSE
DAYS.

WATER VAPOR IMAGERY ALONG WITH RAP ANALYSIS SHOWS A VERY STRONG
UPPER JET /100-150 KTS/ SLAMMING ACROSS THE NORTHERN ROCKIES AND
INTO THE NORTHERN PLAINS RIGHT NOW. BATCH OF SHOWERS CONTINUES TO
WORK EAST ACROSS MN INTO WI THIS AFTERNOON ON NOSE OF 40 KT LLJ
AND LEADING BLAST OF THETA-E ADVECTION. BACK FURTHER
WEST...STARTING TO SEE A NICE WARM FRONT TAKE SHAPE BEHIND THE
CLOUDS IN SW MN INTO NE SD...ALMOST RIGHT ALONG THE BUFFALO RIDGE.
MLCAPES SOUTH OF THE BOUNDARY IN ERN SODAK HAVE INCREASED TO
AROUND 3000 J/KG. INCREASING WINDS ALOFT AND BACKING WINDS NORTH
OF THE BOUNDARY HAVE RESULTED IN BOTH DEEP LAYER SHEAR /NOW AROUND
50 KTS/ AND 0-1KM SHEAR /25-30 KTS ALONG THE WARM FRONT/
INCREASING QUITE A BIT THIS AFTERNOON. HI-RES GUIDANCE ALL
SIMILAR WITH INITIATING CONVECTION BY 22Z ALONG THE SD/MN BORDER
AROUND YELLOW MEDICINE/LAC QUI PARLE COUNTIES. GIVEN SHEAR AND
INSTABILITY PROFILES...STORM TYPE WILL BE SUPER CELLULAR WITH A
GOOD RISK OF VERY LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...AND TORNADOES
THROUGH ABOUT 0/1Z. WHAT IS MORE WORRISOME IS WHAT HAPPENS AFTER
THESE STORMS INITIATE. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT HI-RES GUIDANCE YOU
LOOK AT...HRRR/NMM/ARW/MPX-WRF...THEY ALL CONGEAL THE STORMS OVER
CENTRAL MINNESOTA INTO A LINE AND SEND IT RACING EAST ACROSS THE
AREA TONIGHT. BIG WORRY HERE IS THAT PARAMETERS APPEAR TO BE
COMING TOGETHER FOR THE FORMATION OF A SIGNIFICANT DERECHO THIS
EVENING THAT THEN ROUGHLY FOLLOWS I-94 DOWN INTO THE TWIN CITES.
BY 6Z...THE RAP HAS MUCAPE OVER THE TWIN CITIES OF AROUND 2500
J/KG...DCAPE OF AROUND 1000 J/KG...AND MOST WORRISOME OF ALL...AN
H85 LLJ INCREASING TO BETWEEN 65 AND 70 KTS ALL POINT TO THE
POTENTIAL FOR A SIGNIFICANT DERECHO. THE BIG HOPE IS THAT
SIGNIFICANTLY RAIN COOLED AIR /TEMPS IN RAIN HAVE FALLEN INTO THE
LOW AND MID 60S/ WILL STABILIZE THE BOUNDARY LAYER ENOUGH ACROSS
ERN MN THAT BOUNDARY LAYER CAN NOT RECOVER ENOUGH TO ALLOW WINDS
TO REACH THE SFC AND WE END UP WITH AN ELEVATED MCS. EITHER WAY
YOU SLICE IT...LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE A LONG NIGHT FOR THE MPX
AREA.

TONIGHT...MODELS DRIVE A FRONT EAST OF THE AREA...WITH MONDAY NOW
LOOKING DRY DURING THE DAY AND CUT POPS OUT OF ALL BUT THE FAR SE
CWA. LATE MONDAY NIGHT...THE WARM FRONT COMES SURGING BACK
NORTH...WITH MODELS SHOWING ANOTHER ROUND OF THUNDERSTORMS COMING
INTO WRN AND CENTRAL MN MAINLY AFTER 06Z TUESDAY ON YET ANOTHER 50 KT
LLJ. THIS THEN LEADS US INTO WHAT IS LOOKING LIKE THE MOST ACTIVE
WEATHER PERIOD IN THE COMING DAYS FOR TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
GOOD NEWS HERE IS MODELS ARE NOW SHOWING BETTER AGREEMENT WITH
EACH OTHER THESE TWO DAYS...WITH THE ECMWF NOW BEING LESS
PROGRESSIVE AND SHOWING FRONTAL PLACEMENT MUCH MORE SIMILAR TO
WHAT THE GFS HAS BEEN SHOWING THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS. WILL BE
VERY WARM AND HUMID SOUTH OF THE BOUNDARY...WITH A VERY UNSTABLE
AIRMASS LIKELY IN PLACE BOTH DAYS. DURING THE DAY TUESDAY...MAY NOT
SEE MUCH ACTIVITY AS STRONG CAPPING INVERSION...WITH H7 TEMPS
INCREASING TO AROUND +14C...BUT TUESDAY NIGHT...MODELS SHOW MID
LEVEL TEMPS COOLING...WITH ALL SORTS OF CONVECTION TAKING OFF.
WORRY BOTH TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY IS THAT BESIDE ALL THE
INSTABILITY...AN IMPRESSIVE 70-90 KT SW MID-LEVEL JET WILL BE
SPLAYED OUT ACROSS CENTRAL MN...WITH PLENTY OF SHEAR PRESENT FOR
ORGANIZED/SEVERE CONVECTION. IN ADDITION...UPPER FLOW WILL BE NEARLY
PARALLEL TO THE FRONT TUES/WED...WHICH MEANS POTENTIAL FOR
TRAINING STORMS WILL BE HIGH...AND WITH PWATS UP AROUND 2 INCHES
/180 PERCENT OF NORMAL/...FLASH FLOODING WILL AGAIN BE A CONCERN.

MODELS FINALLY SHOWING WNW FLOW DEVELOPING ALOFT BY
THURSDAY...WITH THE MOISTURE AND ASSOCIATED RAIN FINALLY GETTING
KICKED OUT OF HERE. FOLLOWED THE ECMWF FOR THU/FRI...WHICH IS
DRY...BUT THE GFS DOES SHOW ANOTHER WAVE MOVING ACROSS THE AREA
THU NIGHT/FRI...JUST AS THE ECWMF SLIDES A 1020 MB HIGH ACROSS THE
AREA. BETTER AGREEMENT FOR THUNDERSTORMS SHOWS UP SATURDAY WHEN
THE ECWMF/GFS SHOW A STRONG WARM FRONT MOVING UP INTO THE MPX AREA
AS A SFC LOW WORKS ACROSS SODAK INTO IA. AS A RESULT...BROUGHT
CHANCE POPS BACK FRIDAY NIGHT THOUGH SAT NIGHT. LOOKING JUST
BEYOND THE FORECAST...THE GFS/ECMWF SHOW AN UPPER RIDGE BUILDING
IN ACROSS THE CENTRAL CONUS FOR THE LAST WEEK OF JUNE...WITH
SIGNS OF A DECENT HEAT WAVE SHOWING UP FOR THE END OF JUNE.

&&

.AVIATION... /00Z TAF ISSUANCE/

SEVERE CONVECTION FIRING OVER NORTHEAST SODAK AND INTO WC MN AT THIS
TIME.  THIS WILL QUICKLY SPREAD EAST OVERNIGHT WITH THE HIGH
PROBABILITY OF MCS AFFECTING EASTERN AREAS MAINLY AFTER 03Z-04Z
THROUGH 09Z/10Z TO THE FAR EAST.  CONTINUED WIND IN KMSP AND INTRODUCED
AT KRNH AND KSTC AS WELL. WILL LIKELY SEE SOME STRATUS DEVELOP
BEHIND SYSTEM AS IT MOVES THROUGH...WITH BEST POTENTIAL OF LOW END
MVFR CIG/BR OVER THE NORTHEAST AREA.  GUSTY SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH WIND
BECOMING SOUTHWEST TO WEST LATE TONIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING AS SYSTEM
MOVES THROUGH.  WILL HAVE TO WATCH REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OVER MAINLY
WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN IN THE AFTERNOON BEFORE FRONT MOVES THROUGH.
GUSTY WEST WINDS POSSIBLE MAINLY OVER WESTERN AREAS AFTER 18Z AS
DRIER AIR WORKS EAST OVER THE AREA.

.KMSP...INITIAL THUNDER THREAT EXITING INTO WESTERN WISCONSIN.  WILL
HAVE TO WAIT FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT WEST.  THIS SHOULD WORK INTO
CENTRAL/EASTERN MN MAINLY AFTER 03Z AS MCS WITH SIGNIFICANT WIND A
DEFINITE THREAT/  HELD ONTO THAT FOR NOW...AND SHOULD THIS WORK EAST
OF THE AREA AFTER 06Z.  MAY SEE PERIOD OF MVFR STRATUS BEHIND MCS
BUT THAT SHOULD CLEAR OUT EARLY MONDAY MORNING WITH FRONT MOVING
THROUGH BY 18Z.  WEST WINDS MAY INCREASE AND BECOME GUSTY BEHIND
SYSTEM INTO THE AFTERNOON.

OUTLOOK...
MONDAY NIGHT...VFR/MVFR WITH CHC OF TSRA AFTER 06Z. WINDS SW 10KT
SHIFTING SE LATE.
TUESDAY...VFR/MVFR WITH TSRA POSSIBLE. SE TO S WINDS 20 TO 25
KTS.
WEDNESDAY...VFR/MVFR WITH TSRA POSSIBLE. WINDS NW AT 12 TO 17
KTS.

&&

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

MPG/DE

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 17, 11:49 AM CST, 5 hours 48 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1249 PM CDT SUN JUN 17 2012

MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028-
181800-
DOUGLAS-TODD-MORRISON-MILLE LACS-KANABEC-STEVENS-POPE-STEARNS-
BENTON-SHERBURNE-ISANTI-CHISAGO-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-
KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-WRIGHT-HENNEPIN-ANOKA-RAMSEY-WASHINGTON-
YELLOW MEDICINE-RENVILLE-MCLEOD-SIBLEY-CARVER-SCOTT-DAKOTA-
REDWOOD-BROWN-NICOLLET-LE SUEUR-RICE-GOODHUE-WATONWAN-BLUE EARTH-
WASECA-STEELE-MARTIN-FARIBAULT-FREEBORN-POLK-BARRON-RUSK-
ST. CROIX-PIERCE-DUNN-PEPIN-EAU CLAIRE-
1249 PM CDT SUN JUN 17 2012

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

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

A MODERATE RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXISTS ACROSS WEST
CENTRAL INTO CENTRAL MINNESOTA FOR THIS AFTERNOON...WITH A SLIGHT
RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING EAST ACROSS THE REST OF
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN THROUGH
TONIGHT.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP BETWEEN 3 PM AND 5 PM
TODAY FROM NORTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA INTO WESTERN MINNESOTA NORTH OF
A WARM FRONT. THIS ACTIVITY WILL LIKELY BE IN THE FORM OF
SUPERCELLS...WITH THE THREAT FOR VERY LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING
WINDS...AND A FEW TORNADOES EXISTING. AS THE AFTERNOON
PROGRESSES...THESE STORMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONGEAL INTO A LINE OVER
CENTRAL MINNESOTA THAT WILL THEN MOVE SOUTHEAST ACROSS THE AREA
THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT WITH AN ATTENDANT RISK FOR DAMAGING
STRAIGHT LINE WINDS AND LARGE HAIL. THE HIGHEST RISK FOR SEVERE
WEATHER TONIGHT WILL EXIST MAINLY NORTH OF A WILLMAR TO ROCHESTER
LINE.

FURTHER EAST...SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE
TO WORK ACROSS EASTERN MINNESOTA INTO WESTERN WISCONSIN THIS
AFTERNOON. THIS ACTIVITY IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE SEVERE WITH SOME
SMALL HAIL POSSIBLE WITH THE STRONGER STORMS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

THUNDERSTORM CHANCES ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE AGAIN MONDAY NIGHT
AS A WARM FRONT RAPIDLY PUSHES NORTH BACK INTO THE AREA. THIS
FRONT WILL BE STALLED OUT OVER THE AREA TUESDAY THROUGH
WEDNESDAY...WITH A FEW ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED BOTH DAYS.
SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH ANY OF THIS ACTIVITY. IN
ADDITION...TRAINING OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE MONDAY NIGHT
THROUGH WEDNESDAY...WITH THE RISK FOR FLASH FLOODING EXISTING IF
MULTIPLE STORMS CAN TRAIN OVER THE SAME LOCATION.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON IN
WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA. THE POTENTIAL NEED FOR SPOTTERS WILL SPREAD EAST
FROM CENTRAL MINNESOTA INTO EASTERN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN
WISCONSIN TONIGHT.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 17, 2:30 PM CST, 3 hours 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
330 PM CDT SUN JUN 17 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0618 PM     TSTM WND DMG     8 S FAIRMONT            43.53N 94.46W
06/14/2012                   MARTIN             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            DELAYED REPORT MACHINE SHOP ROOF DAMAGE..SEVERAL LARGE
            TREES DOWN

&&

L. SCHALLER

Special weather statement, Jun 17, 4:47 PM CST, 50 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
547 PM CDT SUN JUN 17 2012

MNZ047-048-054>056-172330-
CHIPPEWA-LAC QUI PARLE-POPE-STEVENS-SWIFT-
547 PM CDT SUN JUN 17 2012

AT 544 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED THAT THUNDERSTORMS WERE RAPIDLY
DEVELOPING NEAR BELLINGHAM. THESE STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40
MPH.

HAIL UP TO NICKEL SIZE AND WINDS UP TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE
STORMS.

* LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THESE STORMS INCLUDE...
  BELLINGHAM.
  CERRO GORDO.
  LOUISBURG.
  MILAN.
  APPLETON.
  BIG BEND CITY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS THUNDERSTORM COULD INTENSIFY QUICKLY...SO BE READY TO ACT IF A
WARNING IS ISSUED.

&&

LAT...LON 4527 9640 4526 9629 4523 9627 4523 9623
      4520 9618 4520 9612 4540 9613 4542 9625
      4552 9626 4564 9618 4534 9547 4495 9605
      4515 9646
TIME...MOT...LOC 2247Z 222DEG 33KT 4514 9624

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 158 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:34 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

25 thunderstorm wind, 22 hail, 13 heavy rain, 7 flash flood, 4 funnel cloud, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Lac Qui Parle

When: June 17, 5:37 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle County, Dawson
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.930, -96.070

Funnel Cloud, Swift

When: June 17, 5:44 PM CST
Where: Swift County, 4.59 mi ENE of Appleton Arpt
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 45.250, -95.910

The funnel was witnessed near Holloway by multiple storm chasers and trained spotters.

Hail, Stevens

When: June 17, 5:56 PM CST to 6:02 PM CST
Where: Stevens County, 0.48 mi E of Hancock
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.500, -95.790

Hail lasted for 5 to 7 minutes with the largest stone up to golf ball size.

Hail, Chippewa

When: June 17, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Chippewa County, 3.13 mi SE of Milan
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.088, -95.885

Hail, Chippewa

When: June 17, 6:09 PM CST
Where: Chippewa County, 5.98 mi NE of Watson
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 45.070, -95.720

Hail, Pope

When: June 17, 6:24 PM CST
Where: Pope County, 1.38 mi S of Starbuck Muni Arpt
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.580, -95.530

Tornado, Chippewa

When: June 17, 6:59 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Chippewa County, 11.59 mi NNE of Gluek to 11.7 mi NNE of Gluek
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.13 mi
Path width: 10 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 45.135, -95.379

The tornado touched down very briefly in a corn field. Some corn was damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Swift

When: June 17, 7:14 PM CST
Where: Swift County, 0.32 mi WSW of Appleton Arpt
Measured: 66 kt (76 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 45.228, -96.006

Thunderstorm Wind, Lac Qui Parle

When: June 17, 7:25 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle County, 0.28 mi E of Madison to 0.85 mi SE of Madison
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 45.021, -96.194

Several buildings in Madison sustained damage, with roofs ripped off and debris blocking roads. Power was out for nearly two hours.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pope

When: June 17, 7:30 PM CST to 7:40 PM CST
Where: Pope County, 2.9 mi N of Terrace to 2.67 mi SW of Grovelake
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 45.562, -95.316

Severe straight-line winds caused a widespread area of damage from north of Terrace, east-northeast through the Sedan area towards Grove Lake. Damages consisted of uprooted trees, structural damage, and damage to grain bins.

Funnel Cloud, Kandiyohi

When: June 17, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 2.07 mi ESE of Pennock
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.140, -95.140

Thunderstorm Wind, Chippewa

When: June 17, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Chippewa County, 1.2 mi SE of Milan
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.110, -95.910

Several power lines were blown down.

Funnel Cloud, Pope

When: June 17, 7:37 PM CST
Where: Pope County, 2.51 mi WNW of Grovelake
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.630, -95.200

Tornado, Chippewa

When: June 17, 7:43 PM CST to 7:45 PM CST
Where: Chippewa County, 5.32 mi SSE of Hagen to 5.37 mi SSE of Hagen
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 45.077, -95.746

A small shed and a playhouse were blown into a corn field. About two dozen trees were broken or toppled.

Hail, Chippewa

When: June 17, 7:45 PM CST to 7:50 PM CST
Where: Chippewa County, 5.34 mi NE of Watson
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.077, -95.746

The hail dented vehicles, a roof and siding. The ground was white from several minutes of hail.

Hail, Kandiyohi

When: June 17, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 0.69 mi S of Willmar
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.120, -95.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Kandiyohi

When: June 17, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 0.69 mi S of Willmar
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.120, -95.050

Several large tree limbs were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kandiyohi

When: June 17, 8:03 PM CST to 8:13 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 3.16 mi NNE of Kandiyohi to 1.51 mi ENE of Atwater
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 45.175, -94.935

A line of severe straight-line winds, estimated over 75 mph, occurred north of Kandiyohi, then southeast to the city of Atwater. Numerous trees were uprooted, several barns were damaged or destroyed, windows were blown out in several communities, and power was out for several hours.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: June 17, 8:13 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 0.54 mi ENE of Paynesville Arpt
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 45.372, -94.739

Thunderstorm Wind, Meeker

When: June 17, 8:15 PM CST to 8:25 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 3.53 mi NW of Grove City to 3.16 mi NE of Grove City
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 45.186, -94.752

Estimated severe straight-line winds of 75 mph caused major damage centered one mile south of Grove City, approximately 5 miles wide (east & west) to 6 miles north of Grove City. Damage was associated with dozens of trees, multiple power lines snapped and blown down, 14 buildings reported or found damaged moderately to severe to include over 1 half dozen metal barns, sheds, grain bins and one house with 1/2 roof torn off. Grove City High School bleachers blown over as well.

Hail, Meeker

When: June 17, 8:20 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 0.89 mi E of Grove City
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 45.150, -94.682

Thunderstorm Wind, Meeker

When: June 17, 8:35 PM CST to 8:37 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 0.69 mi N of Cosmos to 0.54 mi ENE of Cosmos
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.940, -94.700

A line of severe straight-line winds caused numerous large trees to snap off, and power poles to bend over around Cosmos.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: June 17, 8:57 PM CST
Where: Wright County, 2.06 mi ESE of Silver Creek
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 45.310, -93.940

Several large trees were uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: June 17, 8:58 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, 1.37 mi NW of Hutchinson Arpt to 0.28 mi SSW of Hutchinson
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 44.883, -94.401

The southwestern portion of Hutchinson lost power due to numerous power lines blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: June 17, 9:00 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, 0.85 mi NW of Stewart
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 44.730, -94.490

Several power lines were blown down causing power outages around Stewart.

Thunderstorm Wind, Yellow Medicine

When: June 17, 9:05 PM CST
Where: Yellow Medicine County, 5.9 mi N of Hazel Run
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 44.835, -95.707

Several utility poles, north of Hazel Run, were snapped off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Renville

When: June 17, 9:11 PM CST
Where: Renville County, 1.46 mi WNW of Sacred Heart
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.789, -95.377

A tractor trailer was blown over on Highway 212 west of Sacred Heart.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: June 17, 9:20 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, 0.49 mi E of Lester Prairie
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.880, -94.040

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: June 17, 9:20 PM CST to 9:22 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, 0.66 mi N of Lester Prairie to 0.49 mi E of Lester Prairie
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 44.889, -94.051

Several very large trees were uprooted in Lester Prairie.

Thunderstorm Wind, McLeod

When: June 17, 9:25 PM CST
Where: McLeod County, Glencoe
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 44.770, -94.150

Several very large trees were uprooted in Glencoe.

Thunderstorm Wind, Renville

When: June 17, 9:26 PM CST
Where: Renville County, 1.2 mi NW of Renville
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.810, -95.240

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: June 17, 9:30 PM CST to 9:34 PM CST
Where: Carver County, 2.44 mi NNW of New Germany to 2.02 mi NE of New Germany
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.912, -93.992

North of the city of New Germany, severe straight-line winds caused damage to five sheds, with two completely destroyed. In addition, three corn bins were damaged, one turned over, one was wrapped around a tree, and one damaged by another falling on it.

Thunderstorm Wind, Renville

When: June 17, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Renville County, 2.02 mi E of Renville Arpt
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.797, -95.159

Funnel Cloud, Renville

When: June 17, 9:35 PM CST
Where: Renville County, 2.16 mi N of Danube
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.811, -95.098

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: June 17, 9:35 PM CST
Where: Carver County, 1.38 mi S of Hollywood
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.910, -93.930

Severe straight-line winds caused a home to lose 50 percent of their roof.

Hail, Renville

When: June 17, 10:20 PM CST
Where: Renville County, 0.85 mi SE of Hector
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.740, -94.710

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When: June 17, 10:20 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, 0.69 mi S of Little Canada
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.010, -93.100

A measured wind gust from a hand held anemometer.

Thunderstorm Wind, Renville

When: June 17, 10:28 PM CST to 10:33 PM CST
Where: Renville County, 1.59 mi N of Buffalo Lake to 2.08 mi ENE of Buffalo Lake
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.753, -94.616

Several trees were blown down north and east of Buffalo Lake.

Hail, Renville

When: June 17, 10:30 PM CST
Where: Renville County, 1.47 mi E of Buffalo Lake
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 44.730, -94.590

Flash Flood, McLeod

When: June 17, 10:30 PM CST to June 18, 1:30 AM CST
Where: McLeod County, 0.88 mi WNW of Glencoe to 0.83 mi WSW of Glencoe
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 44.776, -94.166

The city of Glencoe had significant street flooding which caused some streets to close.

Flash Flood, McLeod

When: June 17, 10:30 PM CST to June 18, 1:30 AM CST
Where: McLeod County, 0.85 mi NW of Biscay to 0.51 mi NW of Biscay
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.840, -94.290

Highway 22, between County Road 11 and 67, northwest of Biscay was closed due to flooding. The public reported up to 5 feet of water over the roadway.

Flash Flood, Le Sueur

When: June 17, 10:30 PM CST to June 18, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Le Sueur County, 1.25 mi WSW of Le Sueur to 1.11 mi SW of Le Sueur
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.462, -93.923

The underpass on Bridge Street was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Carver

When: June 17, 10:30 PM CST to June 18, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Carver County, 1.5 mi SSE of Cologne to 1.6 mi S of Benton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.751, -93.765

Due to approximately 3.5 inches of rainfall during a short period of time, Maplewood Road in Dahlgren Township, between Market Ave and County Road 41 was closed due to a culvert wash-out.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dakota

When: June 17, 10:33 PM CST
Where: Dakota County, 3.39 mi SE of Burnsville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.760, -93.280

A few power lines were blown down in Burnsville causing isolated power outages.

Hail, Renville

When: June 17, 10:36 PM CST
Where: Renville County, 4.49 mi E of Buffalo Lake
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.725, -94.529

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: June 17, 10:40 PM CST to 10:41 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 3.29 mi E of St Patrick
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 44.599, -93.433

A measured wind gust northwest of New Market.

Flash Flood, Rice

When: June 17, 11:00 PM CST to June 18, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Rice County, 1.38 mi S of Northfield to 1.97 mi SSW of Northfield
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 44.450, -93.170

Significant street flooding caused some roads to close around Northfield and Dundas.

Flash Flood, Rice

When: June 17, 11:30 PM CST to June 18, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Rice County, Lonsdale to 1.16 mi SSE of Little Chicago
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.470, -93.430

Several roads were closed in northeast Rice County due to water over the road. Specifically, County Road 3, west of Webster, and County Road 42 and Kellogg Ave, south of Highway 19 was closed, with the shoulders washed out.

Hail, Scott

When: June 17, 11:49 PM CST
Where: Scott County, New Prague
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.550, -93.570

Hail, Carver

When: June 17, 11:50 PM CST
Where: Carver County, 0.49 mi W of Waconia
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.850, -93.790

Hail, Le Sueur

When: June 17, 11:55 PM CST
Where: Le Sueur County, 1.38 mi S of New Prague
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.530, -93.570

Hail, Rice

When: June 18, 12:03 AM CST
Where: Rice County, Lonsdale
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 44.470, -93.430

Hail, Rice

When: June 18, 12:06 AM CST
Where: Rice County, Lonsdale
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 44.470, -93.430

Hail, Rice

When: June 18, 12:11 AM CST
Where: Rice County, Webster
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.530, -93.350

Hail, Rice

When: June 18, 12:15 AM CST
Where: Rice County, Lonsdale
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.470, -93.430

Hail, Rice

When: June 18, 12:17 AM CST
Where: Rice County, 1.38 mi S of Northfield
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 44.450, -93.170

Hail, Rice

When: June 18, 12:23 AM CST
Where: Rice County, 1.95 mi NE of Bridgewater
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.399, -93.221

Hail, Rice

When: June 18, 12:26 AM CST
Where: Rice County, 0.99 mi E of Dundas
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 44.430, -93.200

Hail, Goodhue

When: June 18, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Goodhue County, 2.57 mi WSW of Nansen
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 44.340, -92.980

Flash Flood, Goodhue

When: June 18, 1:30 AM CST to 3:30 AM CST
Where: Goodhue County, Cannon Falls to 0.62 mi WSW of Cannon Falls
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 44.520, -92.900

Flooding was observed on Highway 52 near Cannon Falls, with some flooding reports on County Road 1, 14 and 18.

Heavy Rain, Scott

When: June 18, 4:30 AM CST
Where: Scott County, Jordan
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.670, -93.630

An observer measured 3.12 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Kandiyohi

When: June 18, 5:00 AM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 1.38 mi N of Willmar
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 45.150, -95.050

An observer measured 3.43 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Goodhue

When: June 18, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Goodhue County, Cannon Falls
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.520, -92.900

An observer measured 3.31 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Kandiyohi

When: June 18, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 1.19 mi SE of Willmar
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 45.120, -95.030

An observer measured 3.30 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Kandiyohi

When: June 18, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 6.91 mi N of Pennock
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 45.250, -95.180

An observer measured 3.01 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Kandiyohi

When: June 18, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 5.28 mi WSW of New London
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 45.270, -95.050

An observer measured 3.21 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Sibley

When: June 18, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Sibley County, 1.2 mi NW of Green Isle
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 44.690, -94.040

An observer measured 3.78 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Dakota

When: June 18, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Dakota County, 2.07 mi S of Hampton
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 44.590, -93.000

An observer measured 3.29 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Dakota

When: June 18, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Dakota County, 1.47 mi SSW of Lakeville
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 44.650, -93.260

An observer measured 3.06 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Chippewa

When: June 18, 6:30 AM CST
Where: Chippewa County, 1.69 mi NW of Watson
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.040, -95.840

An observer measured 2.90 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Carver

When: June 18, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Carver County, 0.49 mi W of Hamburg
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.730, -93.960

An observer measured 4.26 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Scott

When: June 18, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Scott County, 2.13 mi SSW of Merriam
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.700, -93.590

An observer measured 3.70 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Stearns

When: June 18, 9:00 AM CST
Where: Stearns County, 5.17 mi ESE of Paynesville
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.340, -94.640

An observer measured 2.20 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
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.
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.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Minnesota in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 2012 Warnings in Minnesota, June 2012

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: 382992, 377483, 377496, 377495, 377498, 377497, 393252, 382966, 382955, 383015, 377488, 382954, 377489, 393257, 393260, 377499, 382956, 382959, 382967, 382960, 383303, 382961, 382962, 382973, 382964, 392849, 382963, 382969, 382971, 382965, 382972, 382978, 383273, 377492, 382980, 377500, 382975, 383283, 377502, 383322, and more.