Severe thunderstorms developed during the evening of June 17th along a warm front that was lifting north through southern Minnesota and northeast Iowa. These severe thunderstorms produced the first tornadoes of 2010 for southeast Minnesota with three confirmed tornadoes. Two of these occurred in rural portions of Dodge County while the third moved through the northwest side of Rochester (Olmsted County). The tornadoes in Dodge County were rated EF0 and EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale while the tornado in Rochester was rated EF1. The tornado in Rochester was the first to occur within the city limits since August 1995. As the storms progressed east, they became prolific wind producers with wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph across Olmsted and Winona Counties. Numerous buildings were damaged or destroyed with most of this occurring from Rochester east through the Winona area (Winona County).  Federal Disaster Declarations for public assistance were designated for Olmsted and Houston Counties in southeast Minnesota.

Hail in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 19:21:00 to 17-JUN-10 19:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAREMONT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 19:59:00 to 17-JUN-10 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BYRON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

The hail ranged from the size of a nickel up to a quarter.

Thunderstorm Wind in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 19:45:00 to 17-JUN-10 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CENTER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Dodge County emergency manager reported an estimated wind gust of 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 21:17:00 to 17-JUN-10 21:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARMONY
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Harmony fire department reported a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 20:53:00 to 17-JUN-10 20:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOODVIEW
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 95.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Thunderstorm winds damaged at least a dozen mobile homes in the Hidden Valley mobile home park. One home was destroyed when a large tree was uprooted and fell on the home. No injuries occurred as the family decided to stay the night with friends. In addition, the roof of a cattle slaughtering plant was damaged in the Bethany area.

Thunderstorm Wind in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 20:21:00 to 17-JUN-10 20:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAIRD
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet automated reporting station recorded a peak wind gust of 72 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 20:35:00 to 17-JUN-10 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST CHARLES
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Winona County emergency manager reported a large grain bin blown over along with power lines down.

Hail in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 18:50:00 to 17-JUN-10 18:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAYFIELD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Employees at a gas station reported the hail fell for a few minutes.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOUSTON, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 21:30:00 to 17-JUN-10 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWHOUSE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were blown down across Highway 44.

Thunderstorm Wind in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 19:46:00 to 17-JUN-10 19:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAYFIELD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A peak wind gust of 60 mph occurred.

Hail in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 21:46:00 to 17-JUN-10 21:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: NODINE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 20:37:00 to 17-JUN-10 20:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST CHARLES
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 65.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Winona County emergency manager reported railroad crossing guard rails and trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 20:54:00 to 17-JUN-10 20:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINONA
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The automated weather observing equipment at the Winona airport reported a peak wind gust of 61 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 19:57:00 to 17-JUN-10 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCK DELL
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotters and amateur radio operators reported measured wind gusts of 70 to 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 19:57:00 to 17-JUN-10 20:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: BYRON
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trained spotters, amateur radio operators and the Olmsted County emergency manager reported several wind gusts ranging in speed from 60 to 80 mph.

Tornado in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 19:28:00 to 17-JUN-10 19:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAYFIELD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 2.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado developed over Steele county and briefly moved north-northeast into Dodge County before dissipating southwest of Claremont. The tornado traveled across rural areas of Dodge County with little damage.

Tornado in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 19:30:00 to 17-JUN-10 19:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAYFIELD
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 30.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This was the second tornado of the night to hit Dodge County. It formed over Steele County where it was rated an EF2, and then moved into Dodge County affecting rural areas of the county northeast of Blooming Prairie. Most of the damage occurred near County Roads 3 and 4 where roofs were partially torn off buildings and trees were blown down.

Tornado in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUN-10 20:03:00 to 17-JUN-10 20:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: DOUGLAS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 1.90M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF1 tornado produced intermittent damage starting near 50th Ave NW just south of the Northern Hills Golf Course northeast almost to the intersection of 55th St NW and and 23rd Ave NW in the city of Rochester. The path of the tornado took it through a residential area where several homes were damaged. It also struck a Menards store doing extensive damage before dissipating a few minutes later. According to media reports, the tornado damaged at least 30 homes, one of which was destroyed.