Major tornado outbreak

Update 9:15pm

NWS survey teams will be counting up the number and classifying the intensity of the tornadoes from Thursday, but it looks like this will be one of the regions most significant tornado outbreaks in decades.

We'll update the (tragic) numbers as they come in over the next few days.

PH

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Warnings and storm reports: (Note: Always rely on NWS for official warnings...I'll post these as I have time today! PH)

-Twin Cities NWS

-Grand Forks NWS

-Duluth NWS

-Sioux Falls NWS

Warnings and storm reports below:

DLH: 5 W Grantsburg [Pine Co, MN] law enforcement reports TORNADO at 08:55 PM CDT -- tornado crossed hwy 70, a 1/2 mile west of the mn/wi state line. three injuries have been reported. hwy 70 is closed due to debris and powerlines over the road. time estimated from radar.

ARX: Rochester [Olmsted Co, MN] emergency mngr reports TSTM WND DMG at 09:03 PM CDT -- on the northwest side of rochester...several roofs were blown off buildings and a retail building sustained heavy damage. time of event estimated from radar data.

DLH continues Tornado Warning for Pine [MN] and Burnett [WI] till 9:30 PM CDT ...AT 908 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR GRANTSBURG...OR 19 MILES SOUTHEAST OF HINCKLEY...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH

DLH: 3 W Grantsburg [Burnett Co, WI] storm chaser reports TORNADO at 09:00 PM CDT -- powerlines down and damage to a home observed near grantburg on highway 70. likely tornado damage.

ARX: 1 Se Byron [Olmsted Co, MN] emergency mngr reports TSTM WND GST of M80 MPH at 09:04 PM CDT --

ARX: Rock Dell [Olmsted Co, MN] amateur radio reports TSTM WND GST of M75 MPH at 09:00 PM CDT --

arxchat 2010/06/17 9:01 PM iembot ARX: 1 Se Byron [Olmsted Co, MN] amateur radio reports TSTM WND GST of E75 MPH at 09:00 PM CDT --

ARX: Rock Dell [Olmsted Co, MN] trained spotter reports TSTM WND GST of M70 MPH at 08:57 PM CDT --

DLH issues Tornado Warning for Pine [MN] and Burnett [WI] till 9:00 PM CDT ...* AT 831 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF ROCK CREEK...OR 26 MILES SOUTH OF HINCKLEY...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

ARX: 5 S Claremont [Dodge Co, MN] trained spotter reports TORNADO at 08:35 PM CDT -- moving northeast

MPX issues Tornado Warning for Chisago [MN] till 9:00 PM CDT ...* AT 832 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A STORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE STORM WAS 4 MILES SOUTHWEST OF RUSH CITY...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

MPX issues Tornado Warning for Steele [MN] till 8:45 PM CDT ...* AT 809 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BIXBY...OR ABOUT 3 MILES WEST OF BLOOMING PRAIRIE. RADAR SHOWED THE TORNADIC STORM MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH. A SECOND TORNADIC STORM WAS LOCATED SOUTH OF OWATONNA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

MPX: Waseca [Waseca Co, MN] trained spotter reports FLASH FLOOD at 08:00 PM CDT -- moving water over sidewalks.

MPX continues Tornado Warning for Freeborn, Steele [MN] till 8:15 PM CDT ...AT 756 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR AND STORM SPOTTERS WERE TRACKING A LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 5 MILES NORTH OF HOLLANDALE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

* AT 751 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A LARGE TORNADO

2 MILES NORTHWEST OF STEELE CENTER. RADAR SHOWED THE TORNADIC

STORM MOVING NORTH AT 30 MPH.

MPX: 2 Nnw Ellendale [Steele Co, MN] amateur radio reports TORNADO at 07:50 PM CDT -- farm damaged looks like 1/4 mile wide

MPX: 2 S Ellendale [Freeborn Co, MN] law enforcement reports TORNADO at 07:35 PM CDT --

MPX: Elk River [Sherburne Co, MN] trained spotter reports TSTM WND DMG at 07:23 PM CDT -- one inch diameter tree branches down.

MNDOT traffic cam captures wall cloud Camera 790

I-94 @ Co Rd 8 7:25pm near Monticello

MPX: Conger [Freeborn Co, MN] trained spotter reports TORNADO at 06:55 PM CDT -- time estimated house damaged

MPX: Monticello [Wright Co, MN] trained spotter reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 06:56 PM CDT -- wall cloud nw of monticello

MPX continues Tornado Warning for Blue Earth, Nicollet [MN] till 7:15 PM CDT ...AT 701 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR GOOD THUNDER...OR 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MANKATO...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

MPX: 1 Se Eagle Lake [Blue Earth Co, MN] public reports TORNADO at 05:45 PM CDT -- citizen flagged law enforcement..some property damage at 60088 206th st.

MPX: Crystal [Hennepin Co, MN] public reports TSTM WND DMG at 06:40 PM CDT -- 4 in branches down at fairview and w broadway

MPX: Milaca [Mille Lacs Co, MN] trained spotter reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 06:37 PM CDT -- cr 12 and 1 s of town low hanging slowly rotating wall cloud.

MPX issues Tornado Warning for Blue Earth, Nicollet [MN] till 7:15 PM CDT ...* AT 638 PM CDT...RADAR WAS TRACKING A SEVERE STORM WITH STRONG ROTATION. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE STORM WAS 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF VERNON CENTER...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

MPX: Kiester [Faribault Co, MN] law enforcement reports TORNADO at 06:17 PM CDT -- just south and west of 20th st and 505th ave. half mile wide tornado.

FGF: 4 N Fisher [Polk Co, MN] trained spotter reports TORNADO at 06:08 PM CDT -- shed destroyed.

mpxchat 2010/06/17 6:13 PM iembot MPX: 15 W Kiester [Faribault Co, MN] trained spotter reports TORNADO at 06:10 PM CDT -- with debris

mpxchat 2010/06/17 6:12 PM iembot MPX: 3 Sw Walters [Faribault Co, MN] trained spotter reports TORNADO at 06:11 PM CDT -- on the ground now

MPX: Buffalo [Wright Co, MN] trained spotter reports TORNADO at 06:05 PM CDT -- north side of buffalo. confirmed debris. tornado is occasionally lifting.

MPX: Buffalo [Wright Co, MN] law enforcement reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 05:39 PM CDT -- spotter could not tell if it was reaching the ground due to trees. funnel to their ne.

FGF: 5 Se East Grand Forks [Polk Co, MN] trained spotter reports TORNADO at 05:57 PM CDT --

MPX: 5 Se Blue Earth [Faribault Co, MN] storm chaser reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 05:58 PM CDT --

MPX: 2 Ne Blue Earth [Faribault Co, MN] trained spotter reports TSTM WND GST of M61 MPH at 05:44 PM CDT -- plus 1 inch hail

MPX: 2 Ne Blue Earth [Faribault Co, MN] trained spotter reports TSTM WND GST of M61 MPH at 05:44 PM CDT -- plus 1 inch hail

MPX: 3 Nw Cokato [Wright Co, MN] trained spotter reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 05:10 PM CDT --

MPX: 3 N Clear Lake [Sherburne Co, MN] trained spotter reports HAIL of tennis ball size (E2.50 INCH) at 05:35 PM CDT --

MPX issues Tornado Warning for Benton, Sherburne [MN] till 6:30 PM CDT ...* AT 538 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A STORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE STORM WAS 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CLEAR LAKE...OR ABOUT 3 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CLEARWATER...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH. HAIL TO THE SIZE OF TENNIS BALLS HAS BEEN REPORTED WITH THIS STORM...AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE LIKELY.

MPX: Winsted [Mcleod Co, MN] emergency mngr reports TORNADO at 05:28 PM CDT

MPX: Winsted [Mcleod Co, MN] trained spotter reports HAIL of ping pong ball size (E1.50 INCH) at 05:19 PM CDT --

MPX: 1 N Cokato [Wright Co, MN] trained spotter reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 05:07 PM CDT -- wall cloud that is non rotating and not well defined

MPX continues Tornado Warning for Faribault [MN] till 5:30 PM CDT ...AT 510 PM CDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 3 NORTHWEST OF ELMORE...OR ABOUT 9 MILES SOUTH OF BLUE EARTH...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 15 MPH.

MPX: 3 Nw Elmore [Faribault Co, MN] law enforcement reports TORNADO at 05:10 PM CDT --

MPX: South Haven [Wright Co, MN] trained spotter reports HAIL of quarter size (M1.00 INCH) at 05:05 PM CDT --

FGF: Wadena [Wadena Co, MN] storm chaser reports TORNADO at 05:02 PM CDT -- multiple vortex tornado confirmed in wadena.

FGF: 3 W Thompson [Grand Forks Co, ND] law enforcement reports TORNADO at 04:10 PM CDT -- time approximate. tornado damage of welding building destroyed.

FGF: 11 Nw Grand Forks [Grand Forks Co, ND] trained spotter reports TORNADO at 04:54 PM CDT -- large tornado with debris moving north.

FGF: Hope [Steele Co, ND] law enforcement reports TORNADO at 04:40 PM CDT -- tree damage at the hope golf course.

FGF: Emerado [Grand Forks Co, ND] law enforcement reports TORNADO at 04:35 PM CDT -- debris damage at emerado trailer park. funnel lifted off the ground as it crossed northward over highway 2.

FGF: 4 E Dazey [Barnes Co, ND] law enforcement reports TORNADO at 04:35 PM CDT --

FGF: 3 W Hope [Steele Co, ND] law enforcement reports TORNADO at 04:30 PM CDT --

FGF continues Tornado Warning for Otter Tail, Wadena [MN] till 5:00 PM CDT ...AT 429 PM CDT...STORM SPOTTERS OBSERVED AND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A TORNADO. THE DANGEROUS STORM WAS LOCATED 4 MILES NORTH OF BLUFFTON...OR 35 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DETROIT LAKES...MOVING TO THE NORTH AT 45 MPH. A TORNADO HAS BEEN REPORTED WITH THESE STORMS.

FGF issues Tornado Warning for Marshall, Polk [MN] and Grand Forks, Walsh [ND] till 5:15 PM CDT ...* AT 424 PM CDT...STORM SPOTTERS OBSERVED AND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A TORNADO. THE DANGEROUS STORM WAS LOCATED 4 MILES SOUTH OF EMERADO...OR 13 MILES WEST OF GRAND FORKS. RADAR SHOWED THE TORNADO WAS MOVIN TO THE NORTH AT 30 MPH.

FGF: 1 Nw Fosston [Polk Co, MN] trained spotter reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 04:22 PM CDT --

MPX issues Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Nicollet, Sibley [MN] till 5:00 PM CDT

MPX issues Severe Thunderstorm Warning for McLeod, Renville, Sibley [MN] till 5:15 PM CDT

FGF: 2 S Deer Creek [Otter Tail Co, MN] trained spotter reports TORNADO at 04:08 PM CDT -- wedge tornado

MPX issues Severe Thunderstorm Warning for McLeod, Renville, Sibley [MN] till 5:15 PM CDT

FGF: Dazey [Barnes Co, ND] trained spotter reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 04:05 PM CDT --

MPX: 2 E Fairfax [Renville Co, MN] trained spotter reports HAIL of tennis ball size (M2.50 INCH) at 04:07 PM CDT --

MPX continues Tornado Warning for Douglas [MN] till 4:15 PM CDT ...AT 403 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED THE INITIAL STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAD MOVED INTO OTTER TAIL COUNTY. HOWEVER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM STILL CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BRANDON...OR 13 MILES NORTHWEST OF ALEXANDRIA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

MPX: St James [Watonwan Co, MN] trained spotter reports HAIL of nickel size (M0.88 INCH) at 03:51 PM CDT --

MPX issues Tornado Warning for Brown, Nicollet, Renville, Sibley [MN] till 4:30 PM CDT ...* AT 347 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A STORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE STORM WAS 11 MILES SOUTHWEST OF ST GEORGE...OR ABOUT 3 MILES NORTH OF SLEEPY EYE...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

MPX: Millerville [Douglas Co, MN] trained spotter reports HAIL of M4.25 INCH at 03:45 PM CDT --

MPX issues Tornado Warning for Brown, Nicollet, Renville, Sibley [MN] till 4:30 PM CDT ...* AT 347 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A STORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE STORM WAS 11 MILES SOUTHWEST OF ST GEORGE...OR ABOUT 3 MILES NORTH OF SLEEPY EYE...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

mpxchat 2010/06/17 3:48 PM iembot MPX: 3 N Leaf Valley [Douglas Co, MN] trained spotter reports TORNADO at 03:45 PM CDT --

MPX: Brandon [Douglas Co, MN] trained spotter reports HAIL of tennis ball size (M2.50 INCH) at 03:32 PM CDT --

FGF issues Tornado Warning for Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk [MN] till 4:30 PM CDT ...* AT 324 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THE STORM WAS LOCATED 5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF FLOM...OR 23 MILES NORTHWEST OF DETROIT LAKES...MOVING TO THE NORTH AT 35 MPH.

MPX continues Tornado Warning for Douglas [MN] till 3:30 PM CDT ...AT 316 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS DANGEROUS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR BRANDON...OR 15 MILES NORTHWEST OF ALEXANDRIA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH. THIS STORM IS ALSO CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TENNIS BALL SIZE HAIL. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER STORM WITH INCREASING ROTATION TO THE SOUTH...NEAR BRANDON...WHICH IS MOVING NORTH.

MPX: Millerville [Douglas Co, MN] trained spotter reports HAIL of egg size (M2.00 INCH) at 03:14 PM CDT --

FGF issues Tornado Warning for Otter Tail, Wadena [MN] till 4:00 PM CDT ...* AT 306 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THE STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MILLERVILLE...OR 30 MILES SOUTHEAST OF FERGUS FALLS... MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

MPX continues Tornado Warning for Douglas [MN] till 3:30 PM CDT ...AT 301 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS DANGEROUS STORM WAS LOCATED 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BRANDON...OR 15 MILES WEST OF ALEXANDRIA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH. LARGE HAIL TO THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS IS ALSO EXPECTED WITH THIS TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM.

MPX issues Tornado Warning for Douglas [MN] till 3:30 PM CDT ...* AT 248 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A STORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE STORM WAS 4 MILES NORTHWEST OF KENSINGTON...OR ABOUT OVER HOFFMAN...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

Tornado watch posted until 9pm tonight.

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 334

NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK

155 PM CDT THU JUN 17 2010

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A

TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

WESTERN IOWA

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

EASTERN NEBRASKA

EASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA

EFFECTIVE THIS THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 155 PM UNTIL

900 PM CDT.

TORNADOES...HAIL TO 3 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND

GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE

AREAS.

THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 90 STATUTE

MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 25 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF

ALEXANDRIA MINNESOTA TO 15 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF OMAHA

NEBRASKA. FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE

ASSOCIATED WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU4).

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR

TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH

AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR

THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS

AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 332...WW 333...

DISCUSSION...THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY INTENSIFY THIS

AFTERNOON OVER EXTREME EASTERN SD/EASTERN NEB AND TRACK EASTWARD

INTO PARTS OF MN/IA. SHEAR PROFILES ARE FAVORABLE FOR SUPERCELLS

CAPABLE OF VERY LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...AND A FEW TORNADOES.

STORMS ARE EXPECTED TO EVENTUALLY ORGANIZE INTO A SQUALL LINE AND

SPREAD ACROSS THE WATCH AREA THIS EVENING.

AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL

SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 3 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE

WIND GUSTS TO 70 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO

500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24035.

...HART

Hazard Tornadoes EF2+ Tornadoes

Likelihood Moderate Moderate

Severe Wind 65 kt+ Wind

High Moderate

Severe Hail 2"+ Hail

High Moderate

Another watch is posted for eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

And northeast Minnesota!

PH