Steele storm history
Storm events recorded in Steele, Minnesota between 1950 and 2025.
407
Total events
28
Tornadoes
76
Hail
27
Floods
0
Deaths
$99.1M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
Tornado EF3 Tornado
This tornado developed just north of the Steele/Freeborn County line, shortly after the dissipation in Freeborn County of the Newry tornado. This new tornado moved northeast, and initially, occasional trees were broken. Damage intensified somewhat when it hit a farm on State High…
Tornado F3 Tornado
Tornado F3 Tornado
Flood waters from the Straight River impacted businesses in Owatonna.
Numerous roads were closed due to excessive rainfall that fell on September 22nd and 23th. The major areal flooding didn't recede until late Saturday when most of the small streams and creeks had crested and only mainstem rivers remained flooded. Residents in Owatonna, Minnesota,…
Three to five inches of rain fell over Owatonna, resulting in flooding of roads, homes and businesses. A city storm sewer also backed up, causing basements to flood in about 40 homes. This event began September 30, 2007 at 2200 CST (see September 2007 Storm Data).
A Presidential Disaster Declaration was signed for Steele County in the wake of major flooding and damage. Large areas of Owatonna were reported under two to three feet of water. Water completely covered a few roads, and was above car doors in some areas. Maple Creek at Dartt's P…
Blizzard Blizzard
Strong winds and heavy snow resulted in blizzard conditions throughout the county, with the worst conditions during the evening of the 28th. MNDoT road and plow cameras showed several hours of near zero visibility in the southern portion of the county, and winds gusted around 35 …
Winter Weather Winter Weather
The AWOS at Owatonna Degner Regional Airport reported an hour of freezing precipitation which made for slippery travel conditions for the morning commute. A CoCoRaHS observer reported in Owatonna that their snowboard as glazed over with ice.
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. An inch of snow was measured in Owatonna.
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 estimated around 6 to 9 inches. The highest report was 8.4 inches in Ellendale.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
A combination of snow and strong winds impacted the county Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Snowfall amounts around 1 to 3 inches were estimated across the county, and wind gusts around 35 to 45 mph were measured throughout the event at Owatonna Regional Airport.
Hail Hail
Report of a large amount of hail, the largest around quarter sized.
Hail Hail
Golf ball size hail on Hwy 30 west of Blooming Prairie.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
The city of Ellendale conducted emergency pumping for their sewer treatment plant over night Saturday into Sunday. One house was barricaded with sandbags due to rising flood waters.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
The Emergency Manager reported that Hoffman Drive in Owatonna had emergency barricading in place due to water over the road Saturday night. The water had since receded by Sunday morning.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Cocorahs station MN-SE-3 Ellendale 0.3 SW. 72 hour storm total of 5.31 inches.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Hail Hail
Measurement provided via social media.
Hail Hail
Hail measurement provided via phone.
Blizzard Blizzard
An estimated 0 to 4 inches of snow fell across the county with the highest amounts in the southern portion. There was a very stark difference in conditions across the county with areas north of Owatonna observing little to no impact from the snow, and areas south observing heavy …
Blizzard Blizzard
An estimated 7 to 12 inches of snow fell across the county. Frequent gusts over 35 mph and heavy snowfall rates resulted in several hours of 1/2 mile visibility or less. These conditions resulted in many county roads becoming impassable or travel not advised (including MN-14) Tue…
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Several hours with wind chill ranging from -39 to -35 observed at KOWA each morning.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
The AWOS located at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport recorded several hours of extreme wind chills with a minimum recording of -42 degrees.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Interpolated snowfall analysis from CoCoRaHS reports showed four to five inches accumulation across the county.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
A band of 1 to 2 inches fell across the county.
Hail Hail
A picture on X showed 1 inch hail in Owatonna.
Hail Hail
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Maple Creek overflowed and flooded roads in and around Mineral Springs Park.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A total of 3 to 5 inches of rain fell from multiple rounds of thunderstorms. CoCoRaHS observers measured 4.07 inches near Owatonna.
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
A video was provided showing a brief funnel cloud north of Medford. It was not possible to determine if there was any ground contact.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees were downed along County Road 3.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Multiple bands consisting of rain mixed with snow moved through and produced generally 1 to 2 inches of snow and 35 mph wind gusts.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Winds gusted 35 mph at the Owatonna airport, with blowing snow and reduced visibilities.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Two to 4 inches of snow fell across the county. A total of 3.2 inches was measured near Owatonna in Steele County.
Hail Hail
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Warm environmental temperatures in the mid 90s combined with high dewpoint values in the upper 70s caused high heat indices exceeding 105F for approximately five hours. The AWOS Station located in Owatonna, MN recorded an apparent temperature of 114F at 3:30 PM (CST).
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Winter Storm Winter Storm
This is a continuation of the winter storm that began on March 31. A wintry mix with a couple hours of very heavy snow and strong northwest winds produced hazardous driving conditions. Based on surrounding reports, radar, ASOS observations, and MNDOT road conditions, this event v…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A wintry mix with a couple hours of very heavy snow and strong northwest winds produced hazardous driving conditions. Based on surrounding reports, radar, ASOS observations, and MNDOT road conditions, this event verified at 0300 CST on April 01, before the snow ended during the e…
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Multiple measurements of 3 to 4 inches of snow across the county. A Winter Storm Warning was in effect, but it did not verify.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Multiple bands of snow moved across the county. Sustained winds increased out of the northeast near 20-25 mph with gusts near 30-35 mph per the Owatonna Airport ASOS observations. Across the county, Interpolated Snowfall Analysis using the National Gridded Snowfall Analysis (NGSA…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
A band of heavy snow lifted up from Iowa and produced 5 to 6 inches across the county, with a few locations picking up just over 6 inches. Most of the snow fell between midnight and 6 AM on the 19th.
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18 | 0 |
| 2024 | 11 | 0 |
| 2023 | 9 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 0 |
| 2021 | 14 | 2 |
| 2020 | 9 | 0 |
| 2019 | 15 | 2 |
| 2018 | 11 | 2 |
| 2017 | 12 | 1 |
| 2016 | 10 | 0 |
| 2015 | 6 | 0 |
| 2014 | 22 | 0 |
| 2013 | 9 | 0 |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 |
| 2011 | 6 | 0 |
| 2010 | 21 | 5 |
| 2009 | 12 | 0 |
| 2008 | 13 | 0 |
| 2007 | 15 | 0 |
| 2006 | 15 | 0 |
| 2005 | 11 | 0 |
| 2004 | 14 | 0 |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 |
| 2002 | 14 | 1 |
| 2001 | 14 | 1 |
| 2000 | 5 | 0 |
| 1999 | 13 | 1 |
| 1998 | 10 | 0 |
| 1997 | 9 | 1 |
| 1996 | 20 | 0 |
| 1995 | 5 | 2 |
| 1994 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | 3 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 4 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 2 | 2 |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 2 | 0 |
| 1973 | 2 | 1 |
| 1970 | 1 | 0 |
| 1969 | 4 | 0 |
| 1968 | 2 | 1 |
| 1967 | 4 | 2 |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 |
| 1965 | 1 | 0 |
| 1962 | 1 | 1 |
| 1957 | 1 | 0 |