A strong line of storms traveled northeast through western Wisconsin during the late afternoon of May 15th. There was one tornado in St Croix County and several locations of damaging wind including areas of significant wind damage in Dunn, Chippewa, Barron, and Rusk Counties.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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 episode as NWS MPX wrote it up.
A strong line of storms traveled northeast through western Wisconsin during the late afternoon of May 15th. There was one tornado in St Croix County and several locations of damaging wind including areas of significant wind damage in Dunn, Chippewa, Barron, and Rusk Counties. Very large hail up to 4 inches in diameter fell in Eau Claire County.
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 15, 11:53 AM CST, 2 hours 2 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1253 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Initial thunderstorm complex moves across central/southern Minnesota
through daybreak. Storms are forecast to weaken as they move
east.
- Enhanced Risk (Level 3/5) for severe weather from eastern Minnesota
through most of Wisconsin this afternoon. Very large hail,
damaging winds, and tornadoes are all possible.
- Strong southwesterly winds follow the frontal passage this
evening and continue into Friday. Wind Advisory issued across
southern Minnesota where gusts up to 50 mph are possible.
- Cooler, below normal temperatures for the weekend. Wet weather
returns early next week.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued at 1140 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025
Today...Storms expected to develop between 12 and 1pm across
western and central Minnesota, lifting northeast this afternoon
and evening. Latest 3hr SBCAPE change shows an increase of about
1500 J/kg of instability over the morning hours across southwest
Minnesota. There is an occluded frontal boundary that
transitioned to a warm front, and north of this warm front was
a stratus deck with LCLs near 1500 ft. This stratus was starting
to take on a more cumulus look in the latest satellite imagery,
and HiRes models show this as the area of initiation shortly.
The forecast parameters that support severe weather are strong
forcing aloft, and a favorable low level wind profile with
large curved hodographs. This is the main concern with regards
to the tornado threat.
The forecast parameters that are not supportive are the higher
cloud bases north of the boundary, and the fact that storms will
be moving across a narrow ribbon of instability. Also the mid
and upper level wind are weak (though divergent ahead of the
upper level wave).
For those reasons, anticipate storms developing quickly given
the strong forcing. The main tornado threat looks to be shortly
after initiation as the storms are able to tap into an
environment with lower LCLs, and still remain discrete. However
since they will be moving across the boundary, the tornadoes
should be shorter-lived but could still be strong, as indicated
by the short, yet isolated higher amounts of Updraft Helicity.
This would be early this afternoon in Minnesota, and mid to late
afternoon in Wisconsin. Steep mid level lapse rates would
support large hail, and the damaging wind component will develop
after the storms form into a line, with potential for a QLCS
and areas of embedded rotation.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 158 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025
SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE TODAY...Regional radar captures robust
convection ongoing across southeastern SD/northeastern NE. The
strongest activity was located on the nose of the instability
gradient over northeastern NE. As anticipated, upscale growth into a
mature MCS is underway. We've discussed the potential outcomes in
the track of this complex over the past few discussions. HREF's CAM
ensemble has come into pretty solid agreement that the MCS will move
into southwestern Minnesota and continue on a more northeasterly
track supported by the mid to upper level flow. Even at this near
term/nowcast forecast distance, it still seems conceivable that the
MCS takes a little bit of an easterly turn along the instability
gradient, which keeps areas like the TC Metro in play for convection
through mid-morning. This scenario is displayed by the 00z RRFS.
Isolated damaging wind gusts and large hail are possible as the
complex moves across southwest MN, though we do expect the MCS to
gradually decay as moves east with time.
The quick translation of a negatively tilted trough over the eastern
Dakotas will support the deepening of a climatologically anomalous
~980s mb surface low near the ND/SD/MN triple point. The occlusion
of the surface cyclone will send an elongated cold front rapidly
across Minnesota, which will be the focus for a potential severe
weather episode this afternoon. An EML, characterized by a narrow
plume 8-8.5C/km mid-level lapse rates, will overspread southern MN
following the morning MCS. This will effectively work to "cap" the
atmosphere, allowing for extreme instability to build aloft ahead of
the primary severe weather threat -- though it should be noted that
this window will likely be fairly short as attempts at renewed
convective initiation are expected across eastern MN as early as
late morning. Elevated convection near the surface low will likely
be ongoing across western/central MN through the mid-morning hours.
There could be a few instances of large hail in this convection,
however the greater threat of severe weather will exist to the south
and east. While cloud debris from the morning MCS/slow-to-clear
precipitation may play a factor in the eventual outcome of today's
setup, there is high confidence that a rather volatile environment
capable of producing all severe weather hazards will take shape over
eastern MN/western WI by late morning. A quick highlight of the
expected environment across eastern MN/western WI includes MLCAPEs
of 2500+ J/kg (supporting robust updrafts), modestly steep mid-level
lapse rates, SHIP values between 2.0-2.5 (indicates the potential
for significant hail in excess of 2"), along with strong shear.
Convective mode will be a key player in the occurrence of any single
hazard, but this type of environment is capable of producing very
large hail (2"+), damaging winds (60+ mph) and tornadoes (perhaps a
few strong tornadoes). SPC made little change to the new Day 1
Outlook, as far eastern MN and all of western WI remaining under the
Enhanced Risk (3/5). Much of the remaining real estate across the
MPX coverage area (central/southern MN) are under the Slight Risk
(Level 2/5).
The threat across the Slight Risk area is somewhat conditional due
to the capping and quick turnaround from the morning convection,
which may in turn limit storm coverage. However, CAMs continue to
display an arc of robust convection developing by early afternoon
across east central MN southeast into western WI. Given the
aforementioned environment and strong synoptic support, would expect
convection to intensify quickly. Essentially the Enhanced Risk
serves as the area by which widespread coverage of numerous severe
thunderstorms are expected. So while all hazards are possible with
any storms that develop today, the greatest probabilities exist
across far eastern MN/western WI. Another item to watch will be the
upscale evolution of convection as matures with eastward movement
into WI this afternoon. Should storms grow into linear segments, a
more pronounced damaging wind threat may materialize. Conversely,
should supercells remain semi-discrete, a greater tornado scenario
is on the table. SPC has highlighted a large swath of west/central
WI under the 10% sig hatched area of tornadoes. Convection will be
moving quickly given the strong flow aloft, so we'll be able to give
a high confidence "all clear" from southwest to northeast with time
this afternoon. Today is not a "slam dunk" severe weather day in the
Twin Cities given the conditional nature of storm coverage, but it
is a day to respect the setup and be ready to respond to
Watch/Warning information should severe thunderstorms develop.
STRONG WINDS THIS EVENING/FRIDAY...Shortly after the departure of
convection, a "sting jet" scenario aims to setup across the region.
The translation of the 700mb jetstreak around the upper-low will
drive strong southwesterly winds to the surface with gusts up to 50
mph this afternoon and evening. We'll observe an increase in winds
across the entire region as this process occurs, but it's south-
central Minnesota where the forecast of strongest winds has prompted
the issuance of a Wind Advisory. Strong winds (45+ mph), lingering
deformation precipitation, and cooler temperatures will make for a
rather raw day tomorrow. The potent Spring storm system will begin
to depart Saturday, though it will still be breezy and cool with
highs in the 50s. Temperatures then climb into the 60s Sunday &
beyond, with the return of rain chances early next week. Latest NBM
already features 80%+ PoPs in the Tuesday timeframe...which is
reflective of nearly all ensemble members displaying precipitation.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1234 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
Primary concerns this period are a line of storms quickly
developing in southern and central/eastern MN, followed by very
gusty SW winds through tomorrow. Storms are starting to fire
along a cold front currently extending from near AXN to near MKT
and this line is expected to grow in coverage over the next 1-2
hours as it approaches MSP as a scattered/broken line, and a
broken/solid line as it pushes further east toward EAU around
21Z. Impacts should be short-lived, generally an hour or less,
but could be accompanied by gusty winds and hail. Once this line
passes skies will quickly become scattered VFR but that will
bring the onset of gusty southwest winds of 30-35 kts that will
last through the overnight into much of Friday. Western MN should
see gusts over 40 kts. Rain and MVFR cigs will slowly move in
from west to east Friday morning and afternoon.
KMSP...Scattered line of storms developing near KMKT will grow
in coverage and intensity, reaching MSP around 19Z. Duration
will last 30-45 minutes. Line should be scattered to broken in
nature when it arrives, so some impacts at KMSP are likely, and
if a stronger cell moves overhead there could be gusts as high
as 50 kts and hail. Winds will quickly become SWerly behind the
line, initially around 190-200 degrees veering to around 220-230
by 22Z. Gusts over 30kts are likely this afternoon through
tomorrow outside of some slight decrease early Fri morning.
Gusts as high as 40 kts are possible, particularly around
22Z-00Z this evening.
/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
SAT...MVFR mrng cigs likely. Wind NW 10-15G20-25 kts.
SUN...VFR. Wind NE 5-10 kts.
MON...Mainly VFR. Chance MVFR/SHRA. Wind ESE 10-15G25kts.
&&
.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...Wind Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for Blue Earth-Brown-
Chippewa-Faribault-Freeborn-Lac Qui Parle-Le Sueur-Martin-
Nicollet-Redwood-Renville-Sibley-Steele-Waseca-Watonwan-
Yellow Medicine.
WI...None.
&&
UPDATE...JRB
DISCUSSION...Strus
AVIATION...DPHHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 334 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025 MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028- 160830- 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- 334 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central and southern Minnesota, and west central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms can be expected over western Minnesota this morning. A few storms may be strong to severe, possibly producing large hail, damaging winds or a tornado or two. After a late morning into early afternoon lull, additional thunderstorms can be expected over central and eastern Minnesota into western Wisconsin late this afternoon and evening. A few storms may be strong to severe over eastern MN into western WI, possibly producing large hail, damaging winds or a few tornadoes. There is an Enhanced (Level 3 of 5) Risk of severe thunderstorms over eastern MN into western WI, a Slight (Level 2 of 5) Risk of severe thunderstorms over central MN and a Marginal (Level 1 of 5) Risk of severe thunderstorms over western and far southern MN today. Strong south to southwest winds, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph, can be expected this afternoon over southern and southwestern Minnesota this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Strong west winds, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph, will be possible on Friday across western through southern Minnesota. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SKYWARN spotter activation may be needed this morning in western MN and this afternoon and evening in eastern MN into western WI.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1024 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025
MNZ045-151545-
Kanabec MN-
1024 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN KANABEC COUNTY
UNTIL 1045 AM CDT...
At 1024 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
over Brunswick, or 16 miles north of Cambridge, moving north at 40
mph.
HAZARD...Nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Mora, Brunswick, Quamba, Mora Airport and Lewis Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 4573 9340 4597 9334 4596 9314 4586 9314
4573 9323
TIME...MOT...LOC 1524Z 188DEG 34KT 4576 9327
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
PVPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
122 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0116 PM Tornado 2 E Danvers 45.28N 95.72W
05/15/2025 Swift MN Trained Spotter
Location estimated based on spotter report.
Time is approximate. Photo provided.
&&
PVPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
146 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0135 PM Funnel Cloud 3 SSE Benson 45.28N 95.58W
05/15/2025 Swift MN Trained Spotter
Large funnel SE of Benson. Location is an
estimate from phone call. Photo on X.
&&
PVPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
149 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0138 PM Tornado 1 W Benson 45.32N 95.62W
05/15/2025 Swift MN Trained Spotter
Debris visible.
&&
PVPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
150 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0140 PM Tornado 2 N Benson 45.34N 95.60W
05/15/2025 Swift MN Trained Spotter
debris reported.
&&
PVSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
236 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
MNZ041-042-048-049-152000-
Todd MN-Pope MN-Douglas MN-Stearns MN-
236 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT DOUGLAS...NORTHEASTERN POPE...
SOUTHERN TODD AND NORTHWESTERN STEARNS COUNTIES UNTIL 3 PM CDT...
At 236 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Sauk Centre, or 18 miles southeast of Alexandria,
moving north at 60 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Alexandria, Sauk Centre, Melrose, Long Prairie, Freeport,
Evansville, Carlos, Brandon, Swanville, Grey Eagle, Lake Osakis,
Little Sauk, Holmes City, Round Prairie, Leaf Valley, Miltona,
Garfield, Belle River, New Munich and Grove Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4576 9552 4588 9576 4593 9576 4603 9577
4611 9577 4611 9515 4615 9515 4601 9465
4593 9465 4593 9464 4545 9464 4541 9476
4541 9485
TIME...MOT...LOC 1935Z 175DEG 52KT 4572 9510
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
BEDThe La Crosse radar (KARX), 103 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:52 UTC.
16 thunderstorm wind, 7 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Report of several downed trees near the town of Pepin.
Report of a downed tree west of Durand.
A tornado touched down near a property along 110th Ave, uprooting multiple trees. The tornado tracked north toward County Road E, snapping tree trunks along the way. It then started to track more to the northeast, destroying a farm outbuilding along with multiple uprooted trees at a property along 160th Street. The debris from this outbuilding was found along the rest of the tornado track. The most substantial damage occurred at a property along 165th Street, where multiple trees were snapped and a silo sustained significant damage. The silo was shifted, had one side caved in, and had its top removed. After this, the tornado tracked north of 140th Avenue before roping out and dissipating before reaching County Road G.
Part of a roof blown off shed. This was thunderstorm wind damage in the area of the rear flank downdraft as the tornado dissipated southeast of New Richmond around the same time.
Tree down along 105th St in Amery.
Quarter sized hail report via MPING near Elk Mound.
Two rounds of hail fell near Deerfield Road south of Eau Claire over the course of about 15 minutes. The largest hail report was 2 inches in diameter around the intersection of Deerfield and State Highway 93.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of 150th St and 220th Ave, east of the village of Milltown.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of 120th St and 220th Ave in the village of Luck.
Two rounds of hail fell on the south side of Eau Claire near Golf Road. The largest report of 2.75 inches came from the WQOW studio around 4:18 PM.
Report of trees down in the village of Frederic.
Several reports of large hail fell near US-35 between Eau Claire and Altoona. The largest report was up to 4 inches in diameter. There was also a report of damage to siding due to the large hail.
Two rounds of hail fell near Lake Hallie, with the largest report up to 2 inches in diameter.
Multiple reports of hail on the northeast side of Eau Claire along North Crossing. The largest report was up to 2.25 inches in diameter.
Report of downed tree blocking a lane on US-53 in New Auburn. The wind speed measured with a car anemometer was 65-75 mph.
Report of golf ball sized hail in the city of Chippewa Falls.
Report of damage to the siding of a house.
A storm survey discovered a half dozen tall pine trees snapped near the intersection of 17th Street and 18th Avenue. There was other tree damage on a neighboring property. Wind speeds estimated up to 65 mph.
A tree was downed, blocking 18th Street near 22 1/2 Avenue northwest of Rice Lake.
There were multiple reports of downed trees west of Cornell, with some partially blocking roads.
A storm survey determined an area of significant thunderstorm wind damage along County Highway P southeast of Ladysmith. There were several downed trees and snapped or leaning power poles. The most significant damage was near the intersection of Roses Road and County Highway P where a house incurred roof damage and loss of soffits, and the house was moved slightly. Wind gusts were estimated to be near 100 mph.
A storm survey determined significant thunderstorm wind damage near the Flambeau River and Dairyland Reservoir. There were several downed trees as well as twisted and moved docks. A pontoon had been partially lifted onto a nearby pontoon in Groothousen Bay.
A storm survey determined a downburst produced damage along a 4 mile long path, with a swath that broadened out to two miles wide. Winds were estimated at 75 to 85 mph. Many dozens of trees were toppled or broken. Part of a barn roof was blown off and another barn was shifted off its foundation. Two homes had some shingles blown off along with damaged fascia and gutters. A flagpole rated for 80 mph was snapped.
A storm survey found many dozens of trees (possibly several hundred) were downed, mostly along the north side of Pine Lake and on the east side of Holcombe Flowage, northwest of the village of Holcombe. Some trees landed on sheds, houses, and vehicles.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Wisconsin, 2025Warnings in Wisconsin, May 2025
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: 1265507, 1265506, 1245911, 1265545, 1264954, 1265508, 1265510, 1264957, 1264970, 1265514, 1264965, 1265524, 1265535, 1265531, 1265539, 1265536, 1265551, 1265572, 1265568, 1265542, 1265586, 1265591, 1264788, 1264791.