Minnesota encountered bad weather on Wednesday when the National Weather Service (NWS) Twin Cities/Chanhassen issued several tornado warnings and flash flood warnings in south-central and east-central areas, including Albert Lea, Mankato, Minneapolis, and Rochester.
Humid Air Mass Triggers Storm Hazards Across Minnesota
The warnings, fueled by a humid, unstable air mass, mark increased tornado and flooding hazards that place residents in tension throughout an unstable storm season, as stated in the NWS press release.
At 4:16 PM CDT, a tornado warning was still in effect for northeastern Blue Earth and southeastern Le Sueur counties, around Mankato, with a severe thunderstorm that could produce a tornado moving northeast at 27 knots near Madison Lake, according to NWS.
Waterville, Elysian, Sakatah Lake Under Risk
Radar-indicated spin was dangerous for Waterville, Elysian, and Sakatah Lake State Park, including hazards of flying objects, mobile home loss, and tree damage. A tornado warning for northwestern Freeborn and southwestern Steele counties, including Albert Lea, was previously canceled by 4:19 PM as the storm dissipated, according to NWS.
Another individual warning close to Albert Lea earlier corroborated a tornado close to Hartland, traveling northeast at 35 mph. Rochester and the surrounding Olmsted County were under a tornado watch until 10 PM, with risk for funnel clouds.
Flash Flood Warnings for Twin Cities Metro and Beyond
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning at 3:51 PM for southeastern Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, and parts of Carver and Washington counties, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, effective until 7:45 PM.
Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms dropping 1–2 inches of rain per hour, leading to urban flooding in low-lying areas such as highways and underpasses. Areas such as Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, and Woodbury experienced flooded roads, with an additional 1–3 inches predicted.
Another flood warning at 3:02 PM targeted Minneapolis and St. Paul, warning of ponding water affecting the evening commute, per NWS. Renville County saw 3–5 inches of rain, triggering a flood warning until 5:45 PM.
