Freeborn storm history
Storm events recorded in Freeborn, Minnesota between 1950 and 2025.
602
Total events
69
Tornadoes
149
Hail
28
Floods
18
Deaths
$156.2M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
The tornado initially moved northeast to approximately 3.5 miles west of Conger, where at about (43.6156, -93.6015), it began to move more to the east-northeast. West of Armstrong, at about (43.6597, -93.4938), it began tracking nearly due north to just west of Manchester, where …
Tornado EF3 Tornado
As the Lerdal tornado began to dissipate, it rotated around this new one west of Hollandale. This new EF-3 tornado went on to obliterate a farmstead, with virtually every outbuilding destroyed, and the farm house leveled. It continued northeast and took the roof off a house and d…
Tornado EF3 Tornado
Touchdown was near the intersection of Freeborn County Roads 14 and 20. Multiple farmsteads experienced significant structural and tree damage, including one house completely destroyed and several others heavily damaged. Many outbuildings were destroyed, hundreds of trees uproote…
Tornado F3 Tornado
Tornado F3 Tornado
Approximately three to five inches of heavy rain in three hours resulted in flash flooding. Water was reported over Highway 65 three miles southeast of Albert Lea, and over Interstate 90 five miles east and one mile north of Hayward. Heavy rain washed out a section of County Road…
Tornado first touched down on the western fringe of Glenville, and produced major damage, especially on the northwest side of Glenville. There were 25 homes that sustained major damage, and 70 with minor damage. Damage survey indicated F2 damage on northwest side of Glenville, wi…
Shortly after the Glenville tornado dissipated, another tornado formed 4 miles southwest of Oakland and dissipated about 1/2 mile before it would have crossed Interstate 90, which law enforcement had barricaded. Major damage to 3 farmsteads, minor damage to 8 others per damage su…
Blizzard Blizzard
The combination of falling snow and strong winds resulted in blizzard conditions throughout the county. MNDoT road and plow cameras showed several hours of near zero visibility throughout the county, and winds gusted around 30 to 35 mph at KAEL in Albert Lea. The Minnesota Depart…
Blizzard Blizzard
Light snow combined with strong 35 to 40 mph wind gusts caused blowing snow and reduced visibility to near zero for several hours. Emergency Management reported that whiteout conditions led to two jackknifed semis and a five-vehicle crash on I-35 SB, leading to the closure of bot…
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Light snow fell across the county during the afternoon and evening hours. CoCoRaHS observers measured 1.5 inches one mile SW of Albert Lea.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Persistent light snow lasted for over 24 hours, with strong winds gusting to 35 mph near the end of the event. Snowfall totals across the county were reported around 7 to 10 inches. The highest report was 9.5 inches 3 miles W of Hollandale.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Numerous trees and power lines were downed throughout the city of Alden.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Power lines were downed across I90 eastbound near Alden, MN.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A storm chaser took video of a tornado near its beginning, just northwest of Twin Lakes. It moved across two farms, tree groves, and fields. At the farms, two sheds were damaged from falling trees. The tornado entered the southeast edge of Albert Lea, taking down more trees and d…
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A tornado was caught on video in Faribault County, just north of Interstate 90. It moved across fields before moving into Freeborn County, where it hit some trees. Satellite imagery confirmed the tornado path. Based on the tree damage, the maximum wind speed was estimated at 80 m…
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A trained spotter took photos and video of a tornado that crossed the northern portion of Freeborn Lake. It damaged some corn on the western edge of the lake, then knocked down large branches on the east side of the lake.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
Trained spotters and some members of the public took photos of a tornado that crossed the southern portion of Freeborn Lake. Before crossing the lake, it damaged trees at an abandoned farmstead. After crossing the lake, it damaged some corn on the eastern side of the lake before …
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A trained spotter took photos and video of a tornado northwest of the city of Freeborn. It hit a grove of trees at the outset, then crossed several fields before dissipating.
Tornado EF1 Tornado
Storm chasers and trained spotters (including fire and law personnel) took photos and video of a tornado that began west-southwest of Hartland. It moved across one farm where large branches were knocked down, then moved just northwest of Hartland, barely missing the city and two …
Flood Flood
At least 12 residents in the city of Alden reported water in their basements. The City of Alden used pumps to bypass the sewer system to alleviate overload to the sewage ponds. This flooding was a result of heavy rain that occurred throughout the day on June 16th.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Hwy 109 closed between Wells and Alden due to water over the roadway. Two county roads west of Alden were damaged due to flooding (CR 61 and CR 51). One Carlston Township road (630th Av north of Hwy 109) was also damaged due to flooding.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Photo measurement of nickel sized hail near the intersection of Hwy 13 and County Rd 101.
Hail Hail
Photo measurement provided via social media.
Blizzard Blizzard
An estimated 5 to 7 inches of snow fell across the county. Frequent gusts over 35 mph and heavy snowfall rates resulted in several hours of 3/4 mile visibility or less. These conditions resulted in hazardous travel with public works employees reporting whiteout conditions across …
Blizzard Blizzard
An estimated 5 to 10 inches of snow fell across the county with the greatest amounts across the western portion. Frequent gusts over 35 mph and heavy snowfall rates resulted in several hours of 3/4 mile visibility or less. These conditions resulted in many roads becoming impassab…
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
A few hours with wind chill below -35 observed at KAEL.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
The AWOS located at the Albert Lea Municipal Airport recorded an extreme wind chill of -37 degrees.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Interpolated snowfall analysis from CoCoRaHS reports showed three to four inches accumulation across the county.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
A band of 1 to 1.5 inches fell across the county. 1.5 inches of snow was measured 3.4 miles SSE of Albert Lea, MN.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Dozens of mature trees were down along 810th Avenue north of Gordonsville.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees were down in Gordonsville.
Hail Hail
Tornado EF1 Tornado
A tornado hit some farms in southwestern Freeborn County. At its outset, a garden shed was destroyed and another farm shed lost part of its roof. Midway along its path, two metal sheds were destroyed and another shed lost its roof. One grain bin was destroyed and another had its …
Flash Flood Flash Flood
County Road 61 washed out near I-90 just west of Alden. At least six inches of water was flowing across 850th Avenue north of Maple Island.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A total of 2 to 4 inches of rain fell from multiple rounds of thunderstorms. CoCoRaHS observers measured 4.22 inches near Albert Lea.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
There was a photo of a downed tree in Twin Lakes. Time estimated via radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The deck of a house was damaged. A grill was blown off the deck. A shed was also damaged. A home weather station measured 79 mph. A lean-to was also torn off a horse barn at the neighboring farm.
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
A trained spotter reported to WFO ARX that a funnel cloud was southeast of Moscow, MN, near the intersection of 235th Street and 890th Ave.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees and power lines were knocked down in Albert Lea.
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 21 | 6 |
| 2024 | 18 | 1 |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 |
| 2022 | 16 | 1 |
| 2021 | 20 | 8 |
| 2020 | 20 | 1 |
| 2019 | 16 | 2 |
| 2018 | 14 | 0 |
| 2017 | 10 | 1 |
| 2016 | 13 | 1 |
| 2015 | 12 | 0 |
| 2014 | 25 | 0 |
| 2013 | 23 | 0 |
| 2012 | 10 | 0 |
| 2011 | 9 | 0 |
| 2010 | 31 | 9 |
| 2009 | 15 | 2 |
| 2008 | 30 | 0 |
| 2007 | 24 | 0 |
| 2006 | 11 | 0 |
| 2005 | 13 | 0 |
| 2004 | 23 | 2 |
| 2003 | 6 | 0 |
| 2002 | 6 | 0 |
| 2001 | 28 | 3 |
| 2000 | 9 | 0 |
| 1999 | 13 | 0 |
| 1998 | 23 | 5 |
| 1997 | 8 | 0 |
| 1996 | 18 | 0 |
| 1995 | 4 | 0 |
| 1994 | 11 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 4 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | 6 | 4 |
| 1987 | 3 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 7 | 3 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 3 | 2 |
| 1981 | 4 | 0 |
| 1980 | 5 | 1 |
| 1979 | 5 | 0 |
| 1978 | 4 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 7 | 1 |
| 1973 | 1 | 1 |
| 1972 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | 3 | 0 |
| 1970 | 2 | 0 |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | 4 | 1 |
| 1967 | 7 | 4 |
| 1966 | 3 | 1 |
| 1964 | 1 | 0 |
| 1963 | 2 | 0 |
| 1962 | 2 | 0 |
| 1960 | 4 | 1 |
| 1959 | 1 | 0 |
| 1958 | 2 | 1 |
| 1957 | 3 | 3 |
| 1953 | 1 | 1 |
| 1952 | 1 | 1 |