Freak EF0 Tornado in Minneapolis... But weather will get better

Well, that was sure an interesting Wednesday as almost out of nowhere a EF0 tornado pops down in south Minneapolis and tracks northward along 35W before dissipating as it reached downtown. There was basically no warning of a tornado happening. Heres what happened: An upper-level disturbance (in other words: a counterclockwise-rotating swirl of unusually cold air 4-8 miles aloft with was associated with a low pressure center) sparked a widespread deluge of rain, almost resembling an MCS (meso-convective system) which typically form at night. Even though it was cool ( it was only in the upper 60s) there was just enough instability, wind shear, and pure spin in the atmosphere thanks to the low pressure center to whip up brief, strong, rotating thunderstorms capable of hail and tornadoes, that were capable of dropping small, mainly weak tornadoes that didn't last long. There was little instability, but just enough spin in the lower atmosphere to allow this to happen. It wasn't expected to be a severe weather day, which is the main reason why this came almost out of no where.



This is an image from the SRV (Storm Relative Velocity) radar from the Chanhassen Weather Office. In this image, it shows air moving toward the radar site in green, and air moving away from the radar in red. As you can see, we do have a small ball of red in the sea of green, indicating strong rotation. The images at the beginning are as the tornado touched down around 2 pm, and as we move along a Tornado Warning is finally issued (box in red) soon after the ball dissipates as it reaches downtown, which is likely when the tornado dissipated itself. It appears that the circulation possibly passed over WCCO TV... brings up eerie thoughts if the tornado was still on the ground at that time what it would have done to the downtown area.

Check out this video posted up to Youtube from a security camera located at East Lake and 4th Street. You can literally see the pond at the center of the screen temporarily drain and a tree in the upper right land on a van. You even see the EF0 tornado pass right in front.

But this was definitely an moment where you would go "SHIT!" as the tornado formed without warning 1 mile from the MSP International Airport and 1-2 miles from downtown Minneapolis. Sure it was a weak tornado, but a tornado no matter what is a big deal, especially when it is in a popluated area, especially a downtown area. There is always the rumor that a tornado can't hit a metro area. This tornado definitely eliminates this theory, besides the fact that we had a tornado in Atlanta last year, and in 1999 had tornadoes hit Salt Lake City and Oklahoma City -- besides the fact that a tornado hit south Minneapolis at least 3 other times in history, the last being in 1981.

A study that was issued a few years ago took a fine focus on the Chicago area and what might happen if a major, F3-F5 tornado struck during rush hour. The projections were something you might otherwise see if you watched a horror movie: 3,000 to 5,000 people dead, 20,000-50,000 injured, damage in the BILLIONS of dollars.

Meanwhile, a couple hours later a weak EF1 tornado struck the town of Cottage Grove, an EF0 hit Hudson, WI, and an EF0 hit . Read more on all the tornadoes from the National Weather Service's statement below the forecast.

There is one thing that we need to take out of yesterdays Minneapolis tornado: We are quickly reminded that weather is not an exact science. Nor is our radar systems. Not every small tornado will be picked up by radar as it happens. Not all real threats can be captured by humans or technology as it happens. The human being is responsible for their own safety, not the National Weather Service nor your local meteorologist. My theory is that if there was a tornado elsewhere BEFORE this Minneapolis tornado, the meteorologists would have been on the ball and probably would have caught the circulation on radar of the Minneapolis tornado. Maybe not. But you never know.

But there is something else you can take away from this: Mark it on the calendar, the Storm Prediction Center was wrong again this season. Honestly, they were pretty good last year with predicting stuff, but this year they just seem to be wrong very often. They had a Slight Risk out at 8 AM, but revoked it from the area at 11:30 AM, and only put it back in a 3 PM AFTER the tornado had struck... and then it was almost 5 PM before they ever put out a Tornado Watch!!! Good grief!!!

D.J.'s Weird Theory of the Day: Ok, I came up with this at around 1 AM, so its a little out there. But is this Mother Natures way of getting back at us for such a late start of the severe weather season? Remember, we got to June before we had our first tornadic storm and for the first warning in general to be issued for the 7 county metro area. I know, its out there... but you never know I guess...

Upcoming forecast: Things are starting to clear out right now, but more showers are quite likely later tonight into Friday. The system should finally let its grip go on the area by tomorrow night and skies will clear out and sunshine will be back and with us for the weekend! Some rain might be possible by late Monday, the start of school at SCSU.

Tonight: Mix of clouds and stars early, showers likely moving back in by morning. Low 54.

Friday: Mostly cloudy and rain likely, with the best chance occurring around midday. High 67.

Saturday: Sunny, dry. High 74.

Sunday: Continued sunshine -- almost perfect day to be outside! High 80.

Monday: Increasing clouds, especially in the afternoon. Shower possible late. High 82.

Tornadoes

Minneapolis, MN Area EF-0 Tornado

A damage assessment team from the National Weather Service in Chanhassen surveyed storm damage in the Minneapolis area. They confirmed that a tornado touched down in south Minneapolis, initially near East 53rd Street and Park Avenue around 150 PM CDT. The tornado then moved north from that location toward downtown, and eventually lifted near the Convention Center around 200 PM CDT. Damage was most intense and concentrated from East 45th Street north to East 38th Street, generally along Park, Oakland, Portland, and 5th Avenues. The track shifted slightly west of due north with time. The most intense damage was consistent with EF0 intensity, with wind speeds between 75 and 85 MPH. Numerous trees were downed in the area, with damage to a number of homes and structures as well. Much of the structural damage was due to falling trees. The tornado track was approximately 4.5 miles in length, although it may have lifted for a brief time between East 29th Street and the Convention Center area. Maximum track width was approximately 500 yards, although the most intense damage occurred along a path approximately 250 yards wide.

Cottage Grove, MN Area EF-1 Tornado

A National Weather Service assessment team also surveyed storm damage from the Cottage Grove, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin areas today. They confirmed that a tornado touched down near 122nd Street just west of Highway 61 in southern Washington county around 240 PM CDT on the afternoon of August 19th, where it initially produced EF0 damage to a roof, playground equipment, and a garage door. The tornado then tracked northwest across Lofton and Lockridge Avenues just west of Highway 61 in Cottage Grove, where it produced low end EF1 damage. The tornado either uprooted or sheared off a swath of large trees, many that were 2 to 3 feet in diameter. The approximate path length of this tornado was 1200 yards, and the maximum width was 75 yards. Estimated maximum winds with this tornado were 90 to 100 MPH.

Hudson, WI Area EF-0 Tornado

Damage from another tornado was found near County Road UU and Larson Lane near Hudson, Wisconsin. This tornado produced EF0 damage, and touched down shortly after 3 PM CDT. The tornado moved north-northeast and either downed or uprooted several 1 to 2 foot diameter trees, and also caused minor roof damage to multiple houses. The approximate path width was 25 yards, and the length was about 600 yards. Estimated maximum winds with this tornado were 80 to 85 MPH.

North Branch, MN EF-0 Tornado

The assessment team also confirmed that a tornado touched down in North Branch just southeast of the middle school. It tracked north-northwest through fields into a neighborhood near 2nd and 3rd Avenues and Cedar Street, then lifted near Rivercrest and Riverview Courts. The track was approximately 1 mile in length with a maximum width of approximately 200 yards. Damage was consistent with EF0 intensity, with winds between 70 and 80 MPH.

Southwest and South Central, MN

Skywarn spotters witnessed tornadoes briefly touch down in rural portions of Brown and Blue Earth counties on Wednesday, but only minor crop damage was found in open areas.