Tornado damage to agricultural structures occurred near Faribault in Rice County on April 28, 2025.
Courtesy: National Weather Service, Twin Cities/Chanhassen office.
Amid many strong thunderstorms over different parts of Minnesota on Monday April 28th, one small area of intense, regenerating cells produced nearly continuous severe weather in an east-northeasterly path across southern and southeastern Minnesota. A Tornado produced damage near Faribault, and the same family of cells also produced reports of large hail and thunderstorm wind damage during the afternoon and evening.
A potent spring storm system with strong lift and a surge of humid air moved into the Upper Midwest early in the day. This system had been highly anticipated, and forecasters had seen the potential for a major outbreak of severe weather, including strong tornadoes, affecting parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Ultimately, there were fewer severe thunderstorms than had been feared, leading to fewer tornadoes and less overall damage.
The most active family of thunderstorm cells formed near the borders of southwestern Minnesota, southeastern South Dakota, and northwestern Iowa early in the afternoon, with baseball-sized hail reported near Beaver Creek in Rock County around 1:30 PM. These storms eventually became the day's "main event," with strong winds and hail reported near Windom, Jackson, and in a swath passing through Mankato, and including St. Peter, New Ulm, Albert Lea, Waseca, and Owatonna. Just south of Faribault, a tornado produced EF-1 damage to a barn, an outbuilding, and sheds. Another, weaker tornado had struck near Morristown, and as the storms continued into Wisconsin during the evening, they produced additional tornadoes near Eau Claire.
Updated May 15, 2025
KAB