A line of thunderstorms that originally developed across South Dakota Thursday evening, September 16th, quickly moved eastward over southern Minnesota after midnight. A series of surges along this line caused localized severe wind gusts that produced numerous downed trees and power lines across southern Minnesota. One of the storms produced an EF0 tornado south of Henderson in far southeast Sibley County.
As this line moved across the southern Metro of the Twin Cities, three tornadoes briefly spun-up leading to multiple power outages, plus major damage to Savage public works building and a large transformer for the city of Savage. In addition, the power outages caused local schools to close temporarily Friday morning. Another area of tornado damage occurred in Apple Valley and Burnsville. Most of this damage was due to trees falling on houses and vehicles.
A 64 mph wind gust was measured by the ASOS at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. At MSP Airport, with the strong winds and possibly brakes not being applied and/or improper chocking, two Sun Country aircraft slid into each other and into jetways H3 and H4, causing fairly significant damage.
Outside the tornadic activity, several sources of private and public weather sensors measured wind speeds of 40 to 55 mph across a wide swath of southern Minnesota. These winds coupled with heavy rainfall, caused numerous downed small trees and large branches across a 25 to 50 mile wide area from Redwood Falls, to St James, then northeast to New Ulm, Shakopee, St. Paul, and into parts of west central Wisconsin.
In addition, near Mankato, MN around 0730 UTC, a 4-year old girl was killed when a tree branch fell on the tent where she and her family were camping. There were  approximately 80,000 people without power during the peak of the severity that moved through the metro area.

Thunderstorm Wind in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:08:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: LITTLE CHICAGO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A semi-trailer flipped over on I-35 north of Highway 19. There was a wind gust of 58 mph near Elko New Market near the time of the incident.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 01:53:00 to 17-SEP-21 01:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHAKOPEE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

There was a downed tree and a bent light post in Shakopee, west of St. Francis Hospital.

Thunderstorm Wind in ISANTI, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 01:32:00 to 17-SEP-21 01:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: BODUM
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several tree branches were blown down between Cambridge and Isanti. Based on several wind sensors near the area, the highest wind gusts were around 40 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 01:18:00 to 17-SEP-21 01:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: NICOLLET
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several trees were damaged or uprooted in Nicollet. The highest wind speeds around the area were between 45 and 55 mph.

Tornado in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 01:34:00 to 17-SEP-21 01:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENDERSON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EFO tornado tracked through a corn field and knocked down a few large branches in a grove of trees toward the end of the path. The path length was 1.6 miles with a width of 50 yards. Maximum wind speeds were 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 01:30:00 to 17-SEP-21 01:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANKATO
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A tree branch fell onto a tent at the Land of Memories Park. A family was in the tent and a 4 year old girl was killed from injuries of the fallen tree branch.

Tornado in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:00:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRIOR LAKE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EFO tornado touched down near Highway 13 and Connelly Parkway and moved east for 2.1 miles. There was sporadic damage along this path with maximum winds of 85 mph. Most of the damage was due to trees falling on houses and vehicles. The worst damage occurred near the intersection of Connelly Parkway and Dakota Avenue South where roof damage occurred at the Savage Public Works and Light. The city of Savage transformer station also had damage near this intersection, and most of the street lights and signs were damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:04:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLOOMINGTON
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large tree blew down in Bloomington.

Tornado in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:08:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAGAN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF0 tornado touched down near the intersection of Highway 13, and Cliff Road in Burnsville. The path length was approximately 1 mile and most of the damage was due to trees falling on houses and vehicles.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:06:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICHFIELD
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several trees were blown down or uprooted in Richfield. There was also significant tree damage in the Fort Snelling cemetery. At least 50 mature trees were damage or uprooted in the cemetery adjacent to the MSP airport.

Tornado in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:08:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSEMOUNT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF0 tornado touched down near Cedar Avenue and 145th Street West in Apple Valley. The path length was approximately 0.8 miles with a maximum wind speed of 80 mph. Most of the damage was due to trees falling on houses and vehicles.

Thunderstorm Wind in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:17:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: (STP)ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AIRPORT HOLMAN FIELD
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A few tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 01:15:00 to 17-SEP-21 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW ULM ARPT
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:05:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAVAGE
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A weather sensor had a wind gust of 58 mph near the intersection of Highway 13 and County Road 42. Several small tree limbs also blew down in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:09:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: MSP INTL ARPT
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A 64 mph wind gust was measured by the ASOS at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. At MSP Airport, the force of the winds was so strong that two Boeing 737 airplanes belonging to Sun Country Airlines slid into each other and slammed into jet bridges, despite being secured with wheel chocks. There were reports of storm-related damage to other structures, vehicles, and equipment at the airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:11:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAGAN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Numerous trees were blown down between Lexington and Pilot Knob Road, and along Cliff Road in Eagan. A few of the trees landed on roofs and cars.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:16:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELKO NEW MARKET
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A private weather station measured a wind gust of 50 knots.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:13:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSEMOUNT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A few large trees were blown down in Rosemount.

Thunderstorm Wind in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:17:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: (STP)ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AIRPORT HOLMAN FIELD
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:06:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURNSVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large tree was uprooted near I-35 and Nicollet Avenue in Burnsville.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 01:56:00 to 17-SEP-21 01:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRMONT ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:06:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKEVILLE
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large tree branch was blown down in Lakeville.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:00:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LYDIA
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A private weather station measured a wind gust of 50 knots near Lydia.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:06:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKEVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several trees were uprooted near I-35, south of the old Burnsville Center.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 01:55:00 to 17-SEP-21 01:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: LYDIA
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A private weather sensor measured a wind gust of 50 knots southwest of Prior Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:11:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: MENDOTA HGTS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Multiple trees were uprooted or blown down near I-494 and I-35E in Eagan.

Thunderstorm Wind in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 01:15:00 to 17-SEP-21 01:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW ULM
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A large tree was blown down in the city of New Ulm. The regional airport reported a wind gust of 61 mph as the storms moved through the city.

Strong Wind in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 02:24:00 to 17-SEP-21 02:24:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 0.20K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

One tree was snapped in half near Hastings.

Thunderstorm Wind in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 01:09:00 to 17-SEP-21 01:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANSKA
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An outbuilding was blown down near Hanska. A couple wind sensors near the area had a peak wind gust of 45 mph near Hanska, and 53 mph near Madelia.

Strong Wind in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 17-SEP-21 01:59:00 to 17-SEP-21 01:59:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 0.20K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Minor tree damage occurred west of the tornado near Highway 13, and County Road 42. in Savage.