First Severe Storm of 2026 Brings Funnel Cloud, Large Hail and Strong Winds to Southeast Minnesota
Undated (KROC-AM News)- The first severe storm system of 2026 brought a funnel cloud, hail and strong winds to southeast Minnesota.
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The Storm Prediction Center had placed most of southeast Minnesota in a risk level three of five for severe weather on Monday.
Preliminary reports indicate the notable weather events hit the area between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Officials took three tornado reports across southern Minnesota.
Severe Storm System Produces Funnel Cloud Near Wabasha, Large Hail and Strong Winds in Southeast MN
A preliminary report indicates a funnel cloud was spotted near Wabasha around 6 p.m. Monday.Information available Tuesday morning does not indicate the funnel touched down.
The other tornado reports originated west of Interstate 35 and south of Hwy. 30.
Large Hail Falls in Southeast Minnesota
The largest-sized hail stones were reported in Faribault where stones as large as three inches in diameter were reported shortly before 4 p.m.
Shortly before 6 p.m., 2.5-inch hail was reported in Bellchester, which is west of Lake City in Goodhue County.
Two-inch hail plunged from the sky in rural western Lake City, also around 6 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Multiple Strong Wind Gusts Recorded in Southeast MN
The damaging winds hit portions of Olmsted, Fillmore and Goodhue Counties. As of Tuesday morning two 59 mph gusts were measured on Monday.
One was reported shortly before 6 p.m. along Hwy. 63 southwest of Lake City in Goodhue County. The other happened shortly before 10 p.m. between Preston and Spring Valley in Fillmore County.
Spring Valley saw a wind gust of 58 mph shortly before 9:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service recorded a 55mph gust in Dodge Center shortly after 8 p.m.
The strongest wind gust measured at the Rochester Airport was 54 mph. It was reported shortly before 9:15 p.m., according to the weather service.
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