EF1 tornado in Stearns County, Minnesota

A tornado touched down on the edge of a corn field and moved east-northeast, missing the city of Elrosa by less than a mile. However, it hit several farms, including one where several metal sheds were destroyed. The tornado also knocked down or uprooted many trees and also severely damaged crops, especially corn that was ready for harvest.

A strong and potent upper level disturbance, combined with a cold front sweeping across the eastern Dakotas, fired a line of severe thunderstorms that moved eastward into western Minnesota toward midnight. This line of storms continued to progress east-northeast across southern and central Minnesota, which produced fast-moving tornadoes, severe measured wind gusts, and hail as large as tennis balls. This line slowly weakened as it moved into far eastern Minnesota, with general, non-severe thunderstorms as the line progressed into west central Wisconsin after 3 am.