A weak surface low that was centered across eastern North Dakota, moved slowly southeast across western Minnesota during the afternoon of Saturday, April 21st.  Afternoon sunshine, combined with a fairly sheared environment below 3 km, allowed for a few severe thunderstorms to develop along the sharp wind shift line from the southeast, to the northwest.  Enhanced wind shear in the lowest 1 km along this wind shift line, with the development of thunderstorms, caused a few tornadoes to form.  Most of the tornadoes were brief touchdowns, and damage was confined to barns and outbuildings.  Some hail also accompany the thunderstorms, which generated penny, to occasional nickel size hail.

Tornado in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 12:39:00 to 21-APR-12 12:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHOKIO
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A tornado touchdown briefly approximately 3 miles northwest of Chokio, Minnesota.  The report is based on a storm chaser's photo. No damage occurred and the tornado lifted quickly.

Funnel Cloud in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 16:10:00 to 21-APR-12 16:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORMSBY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Funnel Cloud in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 15:39:00 to 21-APR-12 15:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: RENVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A funnel cloud was reported north of Renville.

Hail in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 15:53:00 to 21-APR-12 15:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: DANUBE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tornado in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 14:28:00 to 21-APR-12 14:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: DANVERS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported a tornado briefly touched on several occasions  approximately 6 miles east-northeast of Big Bend City, Minnesota. No damage was reported.

Funnel Cloud in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 14:30:00 to 21-APR-12 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: WABASSO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm spotters sighted numerous funnel clouds across Redwood County for 15 to 20 minutes.

Funnel Cloud in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 14:55:00 to 21-APR-12 14:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLUEK
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm spotters observed a funnel cloud northwest of Clara City, Minnesota.

Hail in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 12:40:00 to 21-APR-12 12:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHOKIO
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 14:12:00 to 21-APR-12 14:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRANDON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 14:55:00 to 21-APR-12 14:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLUEK
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 14:23:00 to 21-APR-12 14:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: LUCAN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several witnesses and storm spotters observed a tornado touchdown south of Lucan, Minnesota.  The tornado tracked to the southeast and damaged a farmhouse, which included several outbuildings, a greenhouse, pole barn, and shed.  Based on damage the tornado was rated an EF0 with top winds of 80 mph.  The tornado lifted one quarter of a mile southeast of the farmhouse where debris was thrown one half mile.

Tornado in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 13:55:00 to 21-APR-12 13:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIG BEND CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several witness and the local law enforcement confirmed that a tornado touchdown approximately 3.0 miles southwest of Big Bend City, near Highway 40, and tracked southeast, for a half mile before lifting.  Based on damage from a barn and grainery, the tornado was rated an EF0 with wind speeds of 75 mph.

Tornado in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 21-APR-12 14:30:00 to 21-APR-12 14:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLMES CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement officials confirmed that a tornado briefly touched down northeast of Farwell, Minnesota.  Based on damage of a 30-40 foot pole barn, and minor damage to a second barn, the tornado was rated an EF0 with top winds of 75 mph.