A frontal boundary that lied across central Minnesota, was the focus for showers and thunderstorms that developed near Alexandria, and moved to the east-southeast during the afternoon, and evening hours. Other thunderstorms developed across southern Minnesota during the afternoon, and early evening and produced mainly large hail. Tornadoes occurred during the mid afternoon hours, and mainly confined to areas south and east of Glenwood, Minnesota. These tornadoes were brief and caused only minor damage to local trees.

Tornado in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 15:56:00 to 01-MAY-12 15:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: PADUA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Spotters and multiple storm chasers observed a tornado that tracked for approximately 1 mile, from 1 mile southeast of the intersection of 310th Street and 453rd NE, to the intersection of 310th Street and 453rd NE.  The tornado was rated an EF0 and only affected farmland.

Tornado in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 15:48:00 to 01-MAY-12 15:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEDAN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Spotters and multiple storm chasers reported a brief tornado touchdown north of Sedan, Minnesota. It was rated an EF0 with no damage.

Tornado in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 16:05:00 to 01-MAY-12 16:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELROSA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Several spotters and storm chasers observed a tornado touch down approximately 2 miles southwest of Elrosa, and moved northeast across the southeast part of town.  The tornado was rated an EF0, with top winds of 85 mph. The tornado demolished a mobile home, toppled trees (one of the trees landed on top of a wood working shop), and it also blew out a garage door.

Tornado in WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 16:40:00 to 01-MAY-12 16:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENFIELD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A weak tornado briefly touched down in an open field and kicked up some dust. The tornado was filmed by the storm chaser.

Funnel Cloud in BENTON, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 17:30:00 to 01-MAY-12 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARENT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 15:40:00 to 01-MAY-12 15:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: GROVELAKE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 15:53:00 to 01-MAY-12 15:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAUK CENTRE ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 16:01:00 to 01-MAY-12 16:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAC QUI PARLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 16:19:00 to 01-MAY-12 16:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: MELROSE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 16:30:00 to 01-MAY-12 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREEPORT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 16:30:00 to 01-MAY-12 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAGEN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 17:10:00 to 01-MAY-12 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST JOSEPH
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 19:30:00 to 01-MAY-12 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAMBERTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 17:34:00 to 01-MAY-12 17:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARENT
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind speed measured by a private weather station.

Heavy Rain in BENTON, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 18:00:00 to 01-MAY-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAUK RAPIDS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported 2.50 inches of rainfall in a short period of time.

Thunderstorm Wind in MILLE LACS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 18:20:00 to 01-MAY-12 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRINCETON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A large tree was uprooted on Highway 95, west of Princeton, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind in WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 18:45:00 to 01-MAY-12 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUFFALO MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A large tree fell on a road and blocked it near Buffalo, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind in ISANTI, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 18:42:00 to 01-MAY-12 18:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPENCER BROOK
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

In addition to a private weather station that measured 75 mph peak wind gust, Spencer Brook had damage associated with a micro-burst.  The severe winds caused three large trees to blow down, along with damage to a homes roof and siding.

Thunderstorm Wind in ISANTI, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 19:10:00 to 01-MAY-12 19:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLOMFORD
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A storm survey was conducted in eastern Isanti County and revealed storm damage to areas east of Blomford, Minnesota.  Several trees were uprooted east of Blomford, Minnesota.

Hail in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 17:45:00 to 01-MAY-12 17:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALNUT GROVE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm Wind in MILLE LACS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 18:20:00 to 01-MAY-12 18:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRINCETON
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Several street lights and large trees blew down across Princeton, Minnesota, some knotted down several power poles on the east side of the city.

Hail in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 19:25:00 to 01-MAY-12 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREEN ISLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 18:35:00 to 01-MAY-12 18:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINSTED
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several large tree branches caused damage to power lines around the city.

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 16:45:00 to 01-MAY-12 16:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALBANY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Golf ball size hail lasted for several minutes and caused extensive damage across the city, including numerous cars and home windows shattered.

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 17:07:00 to 01-MAY-12 17:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST JOSEPH
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 17:18:00 to 01-MAY-12 17:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: SARTELL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in SHERBURNE, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 17:30:00 to 01-MAY-12 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CABLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 17:14:00 to 01-MAY-12 17:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: SARTELL
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were several reports of nickel, and up to golf ball size hail around Sartell, Minnesota.

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 17:25:00 to 01-MAY-12 17:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST CLOUD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several reports of dime, nickel and quarter size hail was reported around St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Hail in BENTON, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 17:47:00 to 01-MAY-12 17:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUELM
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 15:11:00 to 01-MAY-12 15:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLENWOOD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 01-MAY-12 16:24:00 to 01-MAY-12 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREEPORT
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Large hail stones, up to two inches in diameter, pelted the town of Freeport, Minnesota for several minutes and caused damage to electrical lines, and cars.  The hail also  accumulated up to 7 inches deep in some areas of town.