tornadoes

A tornado was confirmed to have touched down in rural Benton County near Gilman earlier this week. Meteorologist Megan Moulford from the National Weather Service joined me on WJON. She says severe weather in Central Minnesota can occur as early as April and continue through August or early September.

The National Weather Service says at least three to as many as six tornadoes touched down as severe storms moved through south-central Minnesota.

High winds, large hail, and the threat of tornadoes were all in a line of strong storms that moved across central Minnesota Monday. Parts of Stearns, Morrison and Todd Counties were all under tornado and thunderstorm warnings. Parts of Benton and Sherburne counties had severe thunderstorm warnings issued.

When it comes to tornadoes, it was a pretty average year in Minnesota. The Minnesota State Climatology Office says we will finish the year with 37 confirmed tornadoes, which is one more than the statewide average.

I was joined today by Weather Eye Meteorologist Megan Moulford to explain why tornadoes form, what is considered a tornado, the conditions that are right to form a tornado and more.

Recent tornado warnings across the Tri-County area gave staff at some of our community's larger facilities a chance to put their storm preparedness into action.