Tornado sightings and damage near Rochester; weekend chill ahead



Storm damage is visible on a home

A powerful cold front spawned a line of severe storms with large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes Friday.

Several tornado sightings came in from near Rochester across southeast Minnesota.

MnDOT traffic cams captured the smaller rope tornado early in the life cycle.

The tornado grew into a more robust and dangerous tornado as it moved east.

Multiple video clips came in from damaged areas.

The line of storms ran from the North Shore through western Wisconsin into southeast Minnesota Friday. Here are just some of the many storm reports.

  • 2 ENE Two Harbors [Lake Co, MN] Public reports Hail of quarter size (M1.00 Inch) at 3:12 PM CDT — Report via social media.

  • 4 WSW Castle Danger [Lake Co, MN] Trained Spotter reports Hail of ping pong ball size (M1.50 Inch) at 3:20 PM CDT — Majority of hail was three quarters to one inch in size but some pieces as large as 1.5 inches. Photo sent to NWS Duluth. Time estimated from radar.

  • Hayward [Sawyer Co, WI] Emergency Mngr reports Tstm Wnd Dmg at 3:35 PM CDT — Hayward Laundry on Dakota Ave had its roof torn off by the wind. No injuries reported.

  • 8 WNW Minong [Washburn Co, WI] Mesonet reports Tstm Wnd Gst of M68 MPH at 3:28 PM CDT — Mesonet station MRZW3 Minong RAWS. Time of wind gust estimated from radar.

  • NNW Bay City [Pierce Co, WI] Trained Spotter reports Hail of half dollar size (M1.25 Inch) at 2:47 PM CDT — Emailed photos of large hail in backyard. Time estimated via radar.

  • 2 SW Minneapolis [Hennepin Co, MN] Public reports Hail of penny size (M0.75 Inch) at 2:18 PM CDT —

  • N Stewartville [Olmsted Co, MN] Public reports Tornado at 2:32 PM CDT — Rochester Tower reported tornado on the ground near Highway 63.

  • 1 W Hayfield [Dodge Co, MN] Emergency Mngr reports Hail of golf ball size (M1.75 Inch) at 1:36 PM CDT —

  • 2 N Elgin [Wabasha Co, MN] Public reports Tornado at 2:53 PM CDT — Tornado touched down north of Elgin where it flipped a semi. It caused damage on 2 farmsteads. Ended 1 3/4 miles north of 247 near County Rd 2.

Additional damage reports are coming in late Friday. So far I’m hopeful because I haven’t seen any injury reports yet.

Tornado watches continue along the front from Wisconsin all the way to Oklahoma Friday evening!

severe weather watch zones
Severe weather watch zones Friday evening.
NOAA

Chilly weekend ahead

The temperature contrast behind this strong front was abrupt. Saturday brings blustery winds and much colder temperatures with 40s south and 30s north. Sunday will be mellow with lighter winds and more sun, but it will still feel more like March.

Forecast high temperatures Saturday
Forecast high temperatures Saturday.
NOAA

We warm up quickly next week with 70s pushing north once again.

Forecast high temperatures Wednesday
Forecast high temperatures Wednesday.
NOAA



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A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.

Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.

A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.

Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.

“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”

Two lawmakers stand and look around
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file

A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.

The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.

There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.

According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.

Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.

He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.

Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.

Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.

He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.



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