Watonwan County, Minnesota
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1962 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
24
Tornado reports
101
Hail reports
19
Floods since 1996
402
All events
0
Deaths
$19.0M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Watonwan County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 24 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated
Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
Tornado F4 Tornado
Tornado moving through southern Brown county brushed extreme northwest Watonwan county. See Brown county narrative.
Initial damage occurred at farmstead just east of the Watonwan/Cottonwood line. Damage included the partial removal of roofs off two large sheds, along with scattered downed trees. The tornado then moved across corn and bean fields. Another farmstead was hit just southwest of the…
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.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A trained spotter reported multiple 8'10-inch diameter trees blown down or snapped in half in St. James, MN, along with the roof partially blown off a metal commercial/work shed. The AWOS Station located at the St. James municipal airport measured a 60mph thunderstorm wind gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
St. James Municipal Airport AWOS recorded a 60-mph wind gust.
Hail Hail
Photo report of half dollar sized hail shared by broadcast media.
Tornado EFU Tornado
This tornado was witnessed by multiple storm chasers. The location is approximate and based on video from various chasers. It crossed open fields and appeared to not hit any damage indicators.
Tornado EFU Tornado
This tornado was witnessed by multiple storm chasers. The location is based on video from various chasers. It crossed open fields while in Watonwan County and appeared to not hit any damage indicators. Once it moved into Blue Earth County, it hit several farms. The tornado was al…
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Blizzard Blizzard
KJYG measured visibilities at or below 1/4 mile for over 18 hours on Sunday as heavy snow fell and sustained winds were 15 to 25 mph with frequent gusts over 35 mph. The 2-day snowfall estimates ranged from about 6 to 8 inches throughout the county. The DOT issued a travel adviso…
High Wind High Wind
Strong northwest winds were sustained around 35 to 45 mph overnight, with frequent gusts over 50 mph. A max wind gust of 63 mph was recorded at KJYG around 2:30am.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Snowfall measurements ranged between 1 to 3 inches across the county with the highest amounts likely occurring in the eastern portion of the county.
Blizzard Blizzard
The AWOS station located in St. James Municipal Airport reported several hours of blizzard conditions with visibility less than one quarter mile and a max wind gust of 41 mph.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
KJYG reported wind gusts as high as 30 mph during the evening as air temperatures dropped from -15F to -20F overnight. The lowest measured wind chill was -46F at 2AM on the 23rd.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
The combination of very strong winds and light snow showers resulted in reduced visibility from blowing snow. Occasional near blizzard conditions were reported at the height of the storm. The AWOS at KJYG noted visibility as low as 1/4 mile and wind gusts between 30 to 40 mph.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Strong winds gusting to 45 mph and scattered snow showers resulted in periodic reductions in visibility as low as a 1/4 mile at times. The worst conditions were during the afternoon.
Blizzard Blizzard
The combination of falling snow and very strong northwest winds gusting to around 40 to 45 mph at KJYG, resulted in several hours of visibilities at or below 1/4 mile. The falling snow was intermittent, which allowed for occasional improvements in visibility throughout the event,…
Blizzard Blizzard
The combination of falling snow and strong winds resulted in blizzard conditions throughout the county. Surface visibilities reported at KJYG in St James dropped to 1/4 mile or less for several hours, and winds gusted around 40 to 50 mph while snow was falling throughout much of …
Blizzard Blizzard
Light snow combined with strong 40 to 50 mph wind gusts caused blowing snow and whiteout conditions for multiple hours. The AWOS station located at St. James Municipal Airport recorded a 51 mph wind gust.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
The AWOS located at the St. James Municipal Airport reported gusty winds over 30 mph and visibility briefly falling below one-quarter mile due to blowing snow.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Light snow fell across the county during the afternoon and evening hours. Snowfall rates forced visibilities to fall to one half mile at times at the St. James Municipal Airport. Between 1 to 2 inches of snowfall fell across the county.
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.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
A combination of snow and strong winds impacted the county Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Snowfall amounts around 1 to 2 inches were estimated across the county, and wind gusts around 40 to 50 mph were measured throughout the event at St James Municipal Airport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tree fell on a power line, taking out power in Godahl.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Blizzard Blizzard
An estimated 3 to 6 inches of snow fell across the county with the greatest amounts across the southeast portion. Frequent gusts over 35 mph and heavy snowfall rates resulted in several hours of 1/4 mile visibility or less. These conditions resulted in many roads becoming impassa…
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Several hours with wind chill ranging from -40 to -35 observed at KJYG each morning.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
The AWOS located at the St. James Municipal Airport recorded several hours of extreme wind chills with a minimum recording of -37 degrees.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Interpolated snowfall analysis from CoCoRaHS reports showed three to four inches accumulation across the county.
Tornado EF1 Tornado
The tornado mostly moved across corn and bean fields, with non-continuous crop damage. It did move across a farmstead where it uprooted numerous trees, but there was little damage to nearby structures. A power pole was damaged. Several storm chasers took video of the tornado, inc…
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
A funnel cloud was caught on video. It was not possible to see if there was any ground contact. The county Emergency Manager surveyed the area and found no evidence of any tree, crop, or structural damage, and there were no reports of any damage, nor were there any other pictures…
Hail Hail
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Numerous roads were flooded across the county.
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.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
The St James airport observed a wind chill of -46 degrees.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Winds gusted to 46 mph at the St James airport, with blowing snow and reduced visibilities.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
A dusting to a half inch of snow fell across the county.
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 six hours. The AWOS Station located in St. James, MN recorded an apparent temperature of 115F at 4:55 PM (CST).
Hail Hail
There was also a report of power out in Odin.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Powerlines were reported down in St. James.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 | 2 |
| 2025 | 12 | 0 |
| 2024 | 9 | 1 |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 | 0 |
| 2021 | 8 | 0 |
| 2020 | 12 | 0 |
| 2019 | 15 | 1 |
| 2018 | 8 | 0 |
| 2017 | 3 | 0 |
| 2016 | 14 | 0 |
| 2015 | 5 | 1 |
| 2014 | 21 | 2 |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 |
| 2011 | 8 | 0 |
| 2010 | 27 | 2 |
| 2009 | 7 | 0 |
| 2008 | 5 | 0 |
| 2007 | 7 | 0 |
| 2006 | 17 | 3 |
| 2005 | 17 | 1 |
| 2004 | 8 | 0 |
| 2003 | 7 | 0 |
| 2002 | 5 | 0 |
| 2001 | 14 | 0 |
| 2000 | 13 | 0 |
| 1999 | 20 | 0 |
| 1998 | 10 | 1 |
| 1997 | 11 | 0 |
| 1996 | 22 | 0 |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 5 | 0 |
| 1990 | 4 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | 6 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 | 5 | 2 |
| 1980 | 3 | 1 |
| 1979 | 7 | 1 |
| 1978 | 5 | 0 |
| 1977 | 5 | 1 |
| 1971 | 1 | 1 |
| 1968 | 1 | 1 |
| 1963 | 1 | 1 |
| 1962 | 2 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Watonwan County, measured to its path.
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