There were several low-topped supercells that developed along a warm front across Southern Minnesota Wednesday evening, May 19, 2021. These storms produced 7 short-lived tornadoes and several funnel clouds across southern Minnesota. These tornadoes were weak and most rated EF0. This was a marginal CAPE, marginal wind shear environment with low cloud bases. A strengthening low-level jet led to an increase in low-level wind shear. This was able to produce a few low-topped supercells that were efficient tornado producers.

Tornado in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 18:39:00 to 19-MAY-21 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARSAW
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter took video of a brief tornado that touched down in a wooded area and knocked down large branches.  Another spotter was also monitoring the storm. The tornado was also caught on video by a MNDOT camera along I-35 near Clinton Falls, so the timing could be confirmed. A broader view of the storm suggested this tornado had some characteristics similar to that of a satellite tornado just east of a larger tornado.

Tornado in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 18:42:00 to 19-MAY-21 18:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARSAW
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotters took video of a tornado that touched down in an open field and moved northward. It struck a farmstead at the end of its path, with only large branches knocked down per a NWS damage survey.

Tornado in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 18:57:00 to 19-MAY-21 18:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLAKELEY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A brief touchdown was reported east-northeast of Henderson as it crossed Highway 19, moving from Le Sueur County into Scott County. It blew a trampoline and damaged a play set on the Le Sueur County side before moving north and damaging some trees in a grove  in Scott County per a NWS damage survey.

Tornado in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 19:13:00 to 19-MAY-21 19:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUNDAS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Two storm chasers took video of a narrow tornado.  A damage survey revealed that several trees were broken or blown down. Law enforcement and spotters were also watching the tornado.

Tornado in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 19:17:00 to 19-MAY-21 19:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: LITTLE CHICAGO
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A storm chaser took video of a tornado moving in an open field and then along a line of trees. Some of the trees were uprooted and lofted a couple hundred feet in the air. A NWS damage survey also noted uprooted trees.

Funnel Cloud in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 18:17:00 to 19-MAY-21 18:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: OWATONNA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous videos, including some from trained spotters, showed a funnel cloud west of Owatonna. Toward the end, it became rope-like and then dissipated. None of the videos were close-up, and no debris cloud was ever noted, so ground contact contact could not be confirmed by video.  Two surveys by local officials and the NWS revealed no damage anywhere. Therefore this has been recorded as a funnel cloud. Videos showed another funnel cloud close to this one, and a separate entry has been made for that funnel.

Funnel Cloud in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 18:19:00 to 19-MAY-21 18:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: OWATONNA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous videos, including some from trained spotters and a MNDOT traffic camera, showed a funnel cloud west of Owatonna. None of the videos were close-up, and no debris cloud was ever noted, so ground contact contact could not be confirmed by video.  Two surveys by local officials and the NWS revealed no damage anywhere. Therefore this has been recorded as a funnel cloud. Videos showed another funnel cloud (that was rope-like) close to this one, and a separate entry has been made for that funnel.

Funnel Cloud in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 18:11:00 to 19-MAY-21 18:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: MERIDEN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A storm chaser took video of a brief funnel cloud. It might have made ground contact but it was not possible to tell from the video, nor was there any damage noted. Therefore this has been recorded as a funnel cloud.

Tornado in LE SUEUR, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 18:56:00 to 19-MAY-21 18:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENDERSON STATION
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A brief touchdown was reported east-northeast of Henderson as it crossed Highway 19, moving from Le Sueur County into Scott County. It blew a trampoline and damaged a play set on the Le Sueur County side before moving north and damaging some trees in a grove  in Scott County per a NWS damage survey.

Tornado in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 19:53:00 to 19-MAY-21 19:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKEVILLE AIRLAKE AR
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A storm chaser took video of a brief tornado. A damage survey revealed that it touched down in a wooded area, with several trees broken and large branches downed.

Tornado in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 18:37:00 to 19-MAY-21 18:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: MEDFORD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two different trained spotters took video of a tornado that made ground contact in far northern Steele County, where about a dozen trees were broken per a NWS damage survey. It tracked north and moved into Rice County. One of the videos showed this tornado was the larger tornado, with another narrow tornado to its east that had characteristics similar to that of a satellite tornado.

Tornado in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 18:39:00 to 19-MAY-21 18:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARSAW
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two different trained spotters took video of a tornado that made ground contact in far northern Steele County, where about a dozen trees were broken per a NWS damage survey. It tracked north and moved into Rice County. One of the videos showed this tornado was the larger tornado, with another narrow tornado to its east that had characteristics similar to that of a satellite tornado.

Funnel Cloud in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAY-21 17:20:00 to 19-MAY-21 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLENCOE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A storm chaser took video of a brief funnel cloud. Ground contact was never noted.