A line of strong thunderstorms moved rapidly northward across southern Minnesota during the late afternoon and early evening hours of Monday, March 19th. Some of the storms became severe near Albert Lea, and Elysian, or east of Mankato, Minnesota. One of the storms produced an EF0 tornado near Elysian, which traveled approximately 6.5 miles to the north before lifting.  Most of the damage was associated downed trees and roof damage.  As the storms moved north, some of the stronger storms produced wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph across the western Twin Cities Metro, with minor damage reported in Carver.

Tornado in LE SUEUR, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAR-12 17:29:00 to 19-MAR-12 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELYSIAN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The EF-0 tornado that formed in northern Waseca County continued to move northward across the western sections of Elysian in Le Sueur County, where two small empty grain bins were blown into a field. Also, a small metal shed was blown across Highway 60 in the same area.
As the tornado continued to track north of Lake Francis, the damage pattern became more complex, and some damage signatures were associated with downburst winds. However, the damage pattern was such that it impossible to discern between the tornado damage and any downburst damage.  Therefore there is no separate entry for thunderstorm wind damage at this point.
The path length of the tornado in Le Sueur County was approximately 3.7 miles, which ended at the St. Peters Church two miles north of Lake Francis. Although most of the damage was associated with uprooted trees and roof damage to homes, numerous boat docks and lifts along the northern shore of Lake Francis were picked up and tossed into the adjacent properties.
Based on damage, winds were estimated at 80 mph, and the total path length across Waseca and Le Sueur Counties was 6.54 miles.

Thunderstorm Wind in FREEBORN, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAR-12 17:08:00 to 19-MAR-12 17:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: (AEL)ALBERT LEA ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Severe thunderstorm winds caused a grain bin, approximately 15 feet tall, to collapse north of Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind in TODD, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAR-12 17:02:00 to 19-MAR-12 17:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAGLE BEND
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Severe thunderstorm winds caused damage to a barn, and a few trees to snap off near Eagle Bend, Minnesota.

Tornado in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAR-12 17:25:00 to 19-MAR-12 17:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: JANESVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-0 tornado touched down just south of Elysian Lake Road, just south of 412th Avenue, in northern Waseca County. The tornado tracked north for approximately 2.8 miles while paralleling the eastern shore of Elysian Lake and Elysian Lake Road. It crossed Elysian Lake near 427th Ave, before moving into southern Le Sueur County.
Damage was primarily associated with uprooted trees and roof damage. The worst damage occurred to a farmstead which had a metal storage shed collapse along Elysian Lake Road.
Based on trees uprooted and structural damage to a metal storage shed, winds were estimated around 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in ANOKA, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAR-12 18:50:00 to 19-MAR-12 18:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: NOWTHEN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large tree blew down at the intersection of Armstrong Blvd NW and 173rd Ave NW in Ramsey, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind in ANOKA, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAR-12 18:48:00 to 19-MAR-12 18:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: COON RAPIDS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large tree blew down at the corner of 111th Ave and Hanson Blvd in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAR-12 18:12:00 to 19-MAR-12 18:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTHFIELD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several power poles and a street light were blown down in Northfield, Minnesota, due to severe thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAR-12 18:07:00 to 19-MAR-12 18:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUNDAS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A 50 foot tree was blown down and landed on an automobile in Dundas, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAR-12 18:05:00 to 19-MAR-12 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARVER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Severe wind gusts caused a roof of a gas station to blow down in Carver, Minnesota.  The damage was confined to gas pumps and a metal roof.