Tornado, Large Hail, and Damaging Wind Events
Time Period: 1855 UTC to 0655 UTC (approximately 1:55 PM April 13 to 1:55 AM CDT April 14). Source: Storm Prediction Center
Primary Affected Areas: Upper Midwest and central Plains (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas dominant; scattered reports in Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and Michigan) This event featured a classic severe thunderstorm outbreak with all three primary hazards. Tornadoes were concentrated in the evening/overnight hours across Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Large hail (many reports ≥2.00 inches, with several ≥3.00 inches) was widespread, especially across southern Minnesota. Damaging winds produced scattered structural impacts, with the most concentrated damage occurring overnight across southern Wisconsin.
1. Tornado Reports (15 total)Multiple tornadoes were confirmed by storm chasers, trained spotters, law enforcement, social media video/photos, and radar. Most were short-lived or rope-out phase, with generally minor reported damage (e.g., one sheet-metal shed). No significant structural or injury reports were noted in the provided data. Key tornado reports (UTC / location / details):
- 2317 – 4 ESE Hannibal, Taylor Co., WI: Tornado lifting and dropping back to ground.
- 2325 – 7 WSW Amboy, Blue Earth Co., MN: Multiple confirmations (storm chasers, fire dept., law enforcement); remained on ground at 1832 CDT.
- 2340 – 4 N Emmetsburg, Palo Alto Co., IA
- 2350 – 4 ENE Graettinger, Emmet Co., IA (location estimated)
- 0007 – Quenemo, Osage Co., KS: Delayed report; ~2 minutes on ground, damaged sheet-metal shed.
- 0015 – 3 ENE Pomona, Franklin Co., KS: Debris observed (spotter ~15 mi south).
- 0020 – 6 W Elmore, Faribault Co., MN: Tornado on video (location/time approximate).
- 0038 – 1 N Ottawa, Franklin Co., KS: Tornado observed moving east.
- 0050 – 2 NNE Webb, Clay Co., IA: Photo from emergency management.
- 0105 – 3 SE / 3 ESE Matawan, Freeborn Co., MN: Trained spotter video via social media; location/time estimated by radar and spotter.
- 0109 – Blue Mound, Linn Co., KS: Roping-out tornado as storm passed through town.
- 0116 – 2 SE Spring Hill, Miami Co., KS: Social media photo (approx. SW of town).
- 0118 – 2 SSE Hillsdale, Miami Co., KS: Spotter photo looking northwest.
- 0130 – 2 S Pleasanton, Linn Co., KS: Spotter reported tornado crossing road.
Geographic clustering: Heavy concentration in east-central Kansas (Franklin, Linn, Miami, Osage counties) and southern Minnesota / northern Iowa.
2. Hail Reports (numerous; dozens documented)Hail was the most widespread hazard. Stones of quarter size (1.00 in.) were common, but significant large-hail cores produced golf-ball to baseball+ sizes across multiple states. Reports came from spotters, mPING, social media with photos/rulers, law enforcement, and media.Maximum hail sizes recorded:
- 3.50 in. – Lake Crystal, Blue Earth Co., MN at 0016 UTC
- 3.30 in. – Dennison, Goodhue Co., MN at 2345 UTC
- 3.00 in. – Multiple reports near Lake Crystal, Blue Earth Co., MN and Waumandee, Buffalo Co., WI
- 2.75 in. (baseball) – 1 S St. Peter, Nicollet Co., MN at 2317 UTC
- 2.50 in. (tennis ball) – Multiple in Blue Earth / Watonwan / Goodhue counties, MN
Notable hail clusters:
- Southern Minnesota (Rice, Goodhue, Watonwan, Blue Earth, Nicollet, Cottonwood counties): Repeated 2.00–3.50 in. hail between ~2025–0128 UTC. Several mPING and social-media reports with photos.
- Wisconsin (Buffalo, Trempealeau, Clark, Wood, etc.): Scattered 1.25–2.50 in. hail.
- Kansas (Chase, Lyon, Osage counties): 1.75–2.75 in. hail ~2155–2335 UTC.
- Iowa / South Dakota: Several 1.50–2.00 in. reports.
Hail ≥2.00 in. was reported in at least 25 separate locations, indicating very large hail cores within the strongest supercells.
3. Wind Reports (measured gusts + damage)Thunderstorm gusts and associated damage occurred throughout the period. Measured severe gusts (≥58 mph) were relatively sparse, but numerous “unknown” speed damage reports indicated widespread straight-line wind impacts, especially overnight in Wisconsin. Highest measured gusts:
- 72 mph – 1 E Calhoun, Henry Co., MO at 0322 UTC
- 66 mph – 5 W Rotan, Fisher Co., TX (0026 UTC) and 3 NE Aspermont, Stonewall Co., TX (0102 UTC)
- 63 mph – 8 NW Colony, Crook Co., WY at 2040 UTC
- 59–61 mph – Multiple mesonet/AWOS sites in Minnesota, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois
Significant wind damage (selected):
- Early evening (IL/IN): Multiple power poles snapped, trees down near Bonfield, Chebanse, and Manteno, IL.
- Kansas: Roof and wall damage to T-Mobile store in Ottawa (0035 UTC); tree/power pole damage in Spring Hill.
- Wisconsin (overnight 0438–0655 UTC – most concentrated damage):
- Sauk Co.: Multiple sheds/pole sheds down, trees/power lines down in Loganville, Rock Springs, North Freedom, Prairie Du Sac, Merrimac.
- Columbia/Jefferson Cos.: Roof collapse at nursing home (Lodi), barn collapsed with 30–40 cattle inside (near Rosendale), numerous trees/power lines down across Jefferson, Columbus, De Forest.
- Waukesha/Racine Cos.: Large trees down, siding damage in Burlington.
- Additional scattered tree/power line damage in Fond du Lac, Monroe, and Portage counties.
- Other: Shed damage in Ohio; tree down in Missouri; power flashes in Missouri.
Overall Assessment: This was a multi-hazard severe weather event driven by strong supercells tracking across the Upper Midwest and central Plains. Tornado production was focused in KS/MN/IA with spotter-confirmed touchdowns. Hail was particularly noteworthy for its size and frequency in Minnesota. The overnight wind damage in Wisconsin stands out as the most significant structural impact reported. No fatalities or major injuries were mentioned in the reports. All data are preliminary local storm reports; official NWS surveys would be required for final tornado ratings or damage assessments.
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