Tornado and Damaging Winds in Minnesota, May 15, 2025

Name: Tornado and Damaging Winds in Minnesota, May 15, 2025
Start: 2025-05-15T14:00
End: 2025-05-15T16:10
Location: Minnesota

May 15, 2025 · NWS FGF · 17 events in 8 counties and zones

Severe thunderstorms produced frequent severe wind gusts across portions of west central Minnesota, northwest Minnesota, and eastern North Dakota.

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 17

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 FGF wrote it up.

Severe thunderstorms produced frequent severe wind gusts across portions of west central Minnesota, northwest Minnesota, and eastern North Dakota.

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 Grand Forks, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 15, 12:40 PM CST, 1 hour 20 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, especially south of Highway 2.
Showers continue on Friday with much cooler temperatures.
There is a 60 percent chance for at least 1 inch of rain over eastern North Dakota today through Friday. Best chances west of the Red River.

Area forecast discussion, May 15, 12:40 PM CST, 1 hour 20 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
Issued by National Weather Service Bismarck ND
140 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon,
  especially south of Highway 2.

- Showers continue on Friday with much cooler temperatures.

- There is a 60 percent chance for at least 1 inch of rain over
  eastern North Dakota today through Friday. Best chances west
  of the Red River.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 137 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

...Synopsis...

A strong upper low, and the corresponding shortwave, will traverse the area
today through Friday. This will bring widespread rain chances to eastern North
Dakota, northwest Minnesota, and west-central Minnesota. A few of todays storms
could become severe. Heading into Friday, look for continuing rainfall and much
cooler temperatures. Highs are only expected to reach the 40s and 50s. Cooler
temperatures remain in place this weekend as high temperatures reach the upper
40s Saturday, then climb into the 50s for Sunday. Highs will then be in the 60s
through the first half on next week.

...Severe Storms Possible Today...

H5 upper low continues to approach southeastern North Dakota this afternoon.
Soundings indicate the presence of CAPE values ranging from 1500 J/Kg to 2500 J/Kg.
Low level shear, both in the 0-1km and 0-3km layers looks supportive of low top
supercells or cluster/supercell hybrid mode. As such, the risk for brief tornadoes
and hail up to 1 inch is worth a mention. Additionally, funnels are possible as the
upper low passes through the area.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1251 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected to
continue moving through the region today, primarily from south
to north. MVFR to IFR visibility, strong and erratic wind gusts,
and possibly MVFR ceilings can be expected with the strongest
storms today. Later this afternoon into tonight, low ceilings
are forecast to spread across the area from southwest to
northeast, mostly IFR west of KGFK and KFAR, and MVFR elsewhere.
Winds will mostly be out of the southeast to northeast around
10-20 kts through the forecast period, strongest this afternoon.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...Wind Advisory from 7 AM Friday to 1 AM CDT Saturday for
     NDZ006>008-014>016-024-026>030-038-039-049-052>054.
MN...Wind Advisory from 7 AM Friday to 1 AM CDT Saturday for
     MNZ001>004-007.

&&

DISCUSSION...Lynch
AVIATION...ZH/Hollan

Hazardous weather outlook, May 15, 1:16 PM CST, 44 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
Issued by National Weather Service Bismarck ND
216 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

MNZ004-007-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-026>029-054-161930-
Kittson-West Marshall-Towner-Cavalier-Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-
Eastern Walsh-Eddy-Nelson-Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Western Walsh-
216 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest
Minnesota, northeast North Dakota, and southeast North Dakota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Friday...A Wind Advisory is in effect from 7 AM Friday to 1 AM CDT
Saturday.

Saturday night...Frost risk.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

MNZ029>032-040-161930-
Wilkin-West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-
216 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Minnesota and west central Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

A Tornado Watch is in effect until 8 PM CDT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Saturday night...Frost risk.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

MNZ015>017-022-023-027-161930-
East Polk-North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen-
South Clearwater-West Becker-
216 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Minnesota and northwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

There is a Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms this
afternoon. Expected hazards include hail up to the size of
quarters, wind gusts to 60 mph, and a tornado or two.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Saturday night...Frost risk.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

MNZ005-006-008-009-013-014-161930-
Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington-
Red Lake-
216 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Minnesota and northwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Saturday night...Frost risk.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

MNZ024-028-161930-
Hubbard-East Becker-
216 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Minnesota and northwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

There is a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms this
afternoon. Expected hazards include hail up to the size of
quarters, wind gusts to 60 mph, and a tornado or two.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Saturday night...Frost risk.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

MNZ001>003-NDZ030-038-039-049-052-053-161930-
West Polk-Norman-Clay-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland-
216 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest
Minnesota, west central Minnesota, and southeast North Dakota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

There is a Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms this
afternoon. Expected hazards include hail up to the size of
quarters, wind gusts to 60 mph, and a tornado or two.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Friday...A Wind Advisory is in effect from 7 AM Friday to 1 AM CDT
Saturday.

Saturday night...Frost risk.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 200 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:01 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

16 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: May 15, 2:00 PM CST to 2:05 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, 1.46 mi SSW of Parkers Prairie
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.150, -95.330

Multiple large tree limbs blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norman

When: May 15, 2:20 PM CST to 3:25 PM CST
Where: Norman County, 2 mi WNW of Flom
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.180, -96.170

Large tree limbs blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: May 15, 2:28 PM CST to 2:32 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, 0.69 mi N of New York Mills
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.530, -95.380

Several big trees blown down. Several cattle sheds blown down. A semi-trailer was blown over on highway 10 in similar area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wadena

When: May 15, 2:34 PM CST to 2:37 PM CST
Where: Wadena County, 2.13 mi SSW of Wadena
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.420, -95.140

Large trees snapped SSW of Wadena.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: May 15, 2:35 PM CST to 2:40 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, 1.38 mi S of Grand View Hgts
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.600, -95.520

Substantial tree damage east of Perham.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wadena

When: May 15, 2:43 PM CST to 2:47 PM CST
Where: Wadena County, 2.13 mi SSW of Wadena
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.420, -95.140

Large trees snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: May 15, 2:45 PM CST to 2:50 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 6.54 mi ENE of Euclid
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 48.020, -96.510

Power lines down resulting in power outages northwest of Red Lake Falls.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: May 15, 2:50 PM CST to 2:54 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 1.16 mi NW of Eldred
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 47.690, -96.820

Thunderstorm wind gust measured 2 west Eldred. Mesonet station 211549 Eldred MN.

Thunderstorm Wind, Becker

When: May 15, 2:50 PM CST to 2:55 PM CST
Where: Becker County, 2.13 mi SSW of Audubon
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.840, -95.980

Large branches cracked off trees. East side of pump house lost most shingles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When: May 15, 2:56 PM CST to 3:05 PM CST
Where: Pennington County, 0.46 mi E of (Tvf)thief Rvr Falls
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 48.070, -96.170

Gust measured at awos station KTVF.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: May 15, 2:57 PM CST to 3:02 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, 1.46 mi NNW of Underwood
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 46.300, -95.880

Wind gust measured by 33 ft ndawn sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind, Becker

When: May 15, 2:57 PM CST to 3:02 PM CST
Where: Becker County, 8.29 mi N of Lake Park
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.000, -96.100

Large trees damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Becker

When: May 15, 2:57 PM CST to 3:02 PM CST
Where: Becker County, 5.88 mi ESE of Rochert
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.860, -95.610

Trees blown over on Highway 34.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When: May 15, 3:05 PM CST to 3:07 PM CST
Where: Pennington County, 0.69 mi S of Thief River Falls
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.120, -96.180

Road sign damaged by wind and twisted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: May 15, 3:06 PM CST to 3:08 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, 4.66 mi E of Rosewood
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.190, -96.180

Trees uprooted east of Rosewood.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: May 15, 3:12 PM CST to 3:17 PM CST
Where: Clay County, 0.47 mi E of Ulen
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.080, -96.260

Trees blown down.

Tornado, Polk

When: May 15, 4:09 PM CST to 4:10 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 2.58 mi N of Burwell
Rating: EFU
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 10 yd
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 47.787, -96.528

Polk county law enforcement reported a tornado. Two videos online showed a dusty circulation with no funnel cloud moving across a 260th St SW. No damage reported or seen via satellite.

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.
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 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 2025 Warnings in Minnesota, May 2025

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: 1267925, 1267893, 1267918, 1267917, 1267921, 1267914, 1267906, 1266736, 1267904, 1267806, 1267803, 1267907, 1267913, 1267916, 1267912, 1267898, 1268689.