MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Severe weather moved through southern Minnesota Sunday night, with the strongest storms tracking east after developing in western and southwestern parts of the state. The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings as the activity pushed through the Mankato area and into nearby counties.
The Twin Cities saw the storms after 10 p.m., but forecasters said they were not severe by the time they reached the metro. Far southern Minnesota stayed under a tornado watch into early Monday.
Warnings Across the South
At 9:50 p.m., the weather service issued a tornado warning for Faribault and Freeborn counties, including Albert Lea, Wells and Clarks Grove, through 10:45 p.m. A separate warning at 9:30 p.m. covered Faribault and Martin counties through 10:15 p.m.
Earlier in the evening, a tornado warning was in effect for Martin County until 7:45 p.m. Officials said a short rope tornado touched down briefly before lifting, though the storm continued to show rotation.
Main Threat Near Mankato
By 8:30 p.m., forecasters said the main severe threat was still focused in southern Minnesota. Another line of storms was expected to move out of western Iowa and across northern Iowa and southern Minnesota between 9 and 11:30 p.m.
That line was expected to bring the best chance for severe wind gusts, along with the possibility of embedded tornado spin-ups. Far southern Minnesota remained under a tornado watch until 1 a.m. Monday.
What Forecasters Expected
Meteorologist Jared Piepenburg said people across western, central and southern Minnesota should stay sky aware Sunday night. He said far southwestern Minnesota faced an enhanced risk for severe weather, while much of the rest of the southern half of the state was under a slight risk.
Forecasters said the storms were expected to bring large hail, strong wind, an isolated tornado and heavy rain. They also said the storms should clear the Twin Cities before the Monday morning commute.
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