A cluster of early morning storms developed on the nose of steeper mid-level lapse rates and marginally strong elevated wind shear across far southeast South Dakota. Multicell convection produced spotty large hail moving into southwest Minnesota. During the afternoon, convection re-ignited near an advancing mesoscale convective vortex and moved northeast from eastern Nebraska into southwest Minnesota.  With greater surface-based instability with a MLCAPE of 2000-3000 J/kg and deep-layer shear of 40-50 knots, storms quickly organized into a QLCS structure and produced hail up to ping-pong ball size, wind to 90 mph, and a few tornadoes across southwest Minnesota. Presidential Disaster Declarations were granted to Cottonwood and Nobles Counties for damages to public infrastructure.

Hail in LYON, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 11:36:00 to 11-MAY-22 11:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: COTTONWOOD
Magnitude: 1.25 
Crop damage: 27.00K
Reported by: Public

Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Tornado in MURRAY, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:33:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: LIME CREEK
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado spun up just west of 280th Avenue around one-half mile south of 51st Street, where several tree limbs were broken in a tree line. The tornado tracked northeast across the Des Moines River where more limbs were downed into the river near 290th Avenue.  As the tornado took a slightly more north-northeast turn for about one-third mile, the most significant damage occurred at a farmstead where one silo was toppled and another damaged, along with numerous downed tree limbs.  The tornado continued more northeastward for around one mile where it damaged the north end of a barn and spread debris around one-quarter mile to the northeast into Cottonwood County. The tornado continued in Cottonwood County for less than one-third mile before dissipating at 1637CST. The tornado was rated EF1 while in Murray County, and EFU in Cottonwood County. The estimated maximum wind speed was 90 mph and the average path width in Murray County was 50 yards.

Thunderstorm Wind in NOBLES, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:26:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: PFINGSTEN
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Power poles were snapped by thunderstorm winds. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Hail in JACKSON, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:53:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: OKABENA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Crop damage: 24.00K
Reported by: Public

Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Thunderstorm Wind in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:42:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTBROOK
Magnitude: 76.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Thunderstorm winds lofted two corn cribs onto adjacent bins, as well as snapped a large pine tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in NOBLES, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:49:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: (OTG)WORTHINGTON ARP
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several power poles were snapped by strong thunderstorm winds, which downed powerlines across Interstate 90. A car stopped on the roadway to avoid crossing downed powerlines, and was struck from behind by a tractor trailer, resulting in the (indirect) fatality of one vehicle passenger and injury of the other three passengers in the car as well as one from another car.

Hail in LINCOLN, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 11:00:00 to 11-MAY-22 11:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARCO
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

Hail in LYON, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 10:50:00 to 11-MAY-22 10:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: GHENT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 17:00:00 to 11-MAY-22 17:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: JEFFERS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous 8 to 10 inch limbs downed by thunderstorm winds.

Hail in LINCOLN, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 07:59:00 to 11-MAY-22 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: TYLER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

Hail in LYON, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 10:50:00 to 11-MAY-22 10:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: MINNEOTA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in LYON, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 11:03:00 to 11-MAY-22 11:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREEN VLY
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Public

Hail in LYON, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 11:36:00 to 11-MAY-22 11:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: COTTONWOOD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in LYON, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 11:37:00 to 11-MAY-22 11:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: COTTONWOOD
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in NOBLES, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:43:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: (OTG)WORTHINGTON ARP
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

A thunderstorm wind gust of 63 mph was measured by Automated Weather Observing System KOTG 2 miles north-northeast of Worthington.

Thunderstorm Wind in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:43:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTBROOK
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Thunderstorm winds blew out part of a hoop barn, damaged fencing, and damaged a portion of the roof on a home.

Thunderstorm Wind in NOBLES, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:22:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: (OTG)WORTHINGTON ARP
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm winds broke off numerous 2 to 4 inch branches.

Thunderstorm Wind in NOBLES, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:16:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSHMORE
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

A thunderstorm wind gust to 60 mph was measured at Minnesota Road Weather Information System site MN006 1 mile northeast of Rushmore.

Thunderstorm Wind in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 17:10:00 to 11-MAY-22 17:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINDOM MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

A thunderstorm wind gust of 76 mph was measured by Automated Weather Observing System site KMWM 3 miles north of Windom.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 17:42:00 to 11-MAY-22 17:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALPHA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several branches up to 2 inches in diameter were removed by strong thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:41:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTBROOK
Magnitude: 67.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A 20 foot by 60 foot cattle barn, which was open to the south, was lofted to the north and destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:50:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: STORDEN
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Thunderstorm winds caused collapse of a cattle barn.

Thunderstorm Wind in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:51:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: STORDEN
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Six wooden power poles were either leaning or down due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:52:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: STORDEN
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Thunderstorm winds caused uplift of the south facing roof of a machine shed.  The south facing door on a Morton building was also dented inward.

Tornado in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:46:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: STORDEN
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A video showed a weak tornado briefly touching down in an open field. The tornado caused no damage from which the NWS could assign an EF-scale rating.

Tornado in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:47:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: STORDEN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado spun up around one mile west-southwest of Storden just southeast of the intersection of State Highway 30 and 370th Avenue.  The tornado tracked northeast and crossed a slough where grasses exhibited a convergent pattern. The tornado then moved into the northwest edge of Storden where it destroyed a 500,000 bushel commercial grain bin and tossed the debris onto an adjacent office structure.  The tornado lifted before reaching County Road 5. The estimated maximum wind speed was 95 mph and the average path width was 50 yards.

Tornado in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 17:10:00 to 11-MAY-22 17:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: DELFT
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A video showed a weak tornado briefly touching down in an open field. The tornado caused no damage from which the NWS could assign an EF-scale rating.

Thunderstorm Wind in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:45:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: STORDEN
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A gustnado along the leading edge of damaging wind gusts estimated at 75 mph caused damage to a garage, garden shed, and shingles on a home.

Tornado in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 11-MAY-22 16:36:00 to 11-MAY-22 16:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTBROOK
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado formed 5 miles east-northeast of Fulda in Murray County, and entered Cottonwood County around 6 miles south-southwest of Westbrook. The tornado tracked northeast over open fields for less than a minute before dissipating.  While in Murray County, it was rated EF1, but was rated EFU in Cottonwood County. Average path width in Cottonwood County was 50 yards.