Lightning over the skies of Rochester,Minnesota Friday Sept 2nd

Thunderstorms developed and raced across the entire area early this morning, embedded in this was a line of severe storms that produced alot of wind damage first along and near the Iowa border in Mower County, then it spread and extended northeast across much of Fillmore and Southeastern Winona counties. The complex started in parts of Northwest Iowa, and weakened and pulsed back up multiple times before reaching Southeastern Minnesota. It entered the local area first at Mower county and produced penny sized hail at Lyle, then moved Northeast and caused tree damage with reported wind gusts 50 to 60MPH in Spring Valley, near Harmony and Winona before it exited the area into Western Wisconsin which it continued to produce damage. These storms had a lot of moisture to work with becuase temperatures were in the upper 70s with mid 70 degree dew points at that time.

The rest of the area did see thunderstorms this morning but the came as non severe and provided somewhat beneficial rains. Here in Rochester we got lots of lightning and some heavy downpours with a bit of a westerly breeze. My gauge here in West Downtown had 0.27″ as of 11AM on Friday, which was the highest rainfall I’ve measured in the last 3 since I moved here. This should really help things green back up in drought stressed areas.

Damage Reports

Lyle, Penny sized hail

Spring Valley, Large branches down in city and a tree down over county road 1

4 miles Northwest Mable, Several branches down and lawn furniture blown around.

4 miles SW Winona measured 60MPH wind gust.