EF1 Tornado — Swift, Minnesota

2022-05-30 · near Danvers, Swift, Minnesota

Event narrative

This tornado developed about 5 miles southwest of Danvers and tracked north until an outflow boundary caught up with it, then the tornado tracked northeast to 7 miles northwest of Clontarf. It originated in Swift County, then moved through the southeast corner of Stevens County, then into Pope County, where it dissipated. Several wooden poles with electrical transmission lines were snapped. Irrigation systems were overturned, trees were damaged, and some structural damage to homes and farm outbuildings also resulted. Maximum winds were estimated at 100 mph.

Wider weather episode

A strong synoptic cyclone swinging into the Northern Plains set the stage for a late Spring severe weather outbreak on May 30th. Discrete and semi-discrete supercells developed during the afternoon ahead of an arcing cold front and a nearby surface low. These storms quickly traveled northeast while gradually growing upscale into bowing line segments as storms merged together and new cells formed. During this time, hail and tornadoes occurred; the strongest being an EF2 through Forada, MN. The bowing line segments became dominant and a wind event unfolded.

Strong and broad synoptic lift, little capping, and questionable mid-level shear likely allowed for upscale growth. This caused storm interactions and competing updrafts which may have limited mesocyclone longevity and strength. While property was damaged, no lives were lost on the last day of a holiday weekend when many people were outdoors camping or doing other recreational activities.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (45.2212, -95.8281)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1019736. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.