Tornado, large hail reported across southern Minnesota causing power outages Tuesday
(FOX 9) - The FOX 9 Weather Team received confirmed reports of a tornado on the ground northeast of Garden City in Blue Earth County Tuesday evening as part of a storm system that affected much of southern Minnesota.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for much of southern Minnesota, which carried with it large hail for areas along and to the east of I-35 near Geneva, Clarks Grove, and Riceland, just north of Albert Lea. A radar-indicated rotation was also spotted in a system in Mower County, Minn.
A band of severe weather moved near the Mankato area and the southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin area was put under a tornado warning Tuesday, including Waseca and Blue Earth Counties. Another confirmed report of a tornado was spotted between Pemberton and Waldorf, Minn.
There was an enhanced risk for severe storms across southern Minnesota and into Wisconsin late Tuesday afternoon into the evening hours. The Twin Cities metro had a slight risk for scattered, severe storms.
Xcel Energy reported 207 power outages affecting 7,701 customers across the FOX 9 viewing area Tuesday night as a result of the storms.
Storms developed in west-central Minnesota Tuesday afternoon and intensified as they traveled to the southeast into an above-average, hot and humid environment. They reached peak strength and coverage across southern and southeastern Minnesota.