Morning thunderstorms around 6AM October 25th 2012

A big variation in weather across the area as a frontal system pushed through. Early this morning with fairly mild temperatures in the 50s and 60s throughout the area strong to severe thunderstorms developed along a cold front that was moving east. Some of these storms became severe in Western Winona county where quarter sized hail was reported at St Charles. Most of the storms remained below severe limits but still brought torrential downpours and vivid and frequent lightning. Beneficial rainfall amounts of rain were seen with many places getting over 1 inch. In some cases near 3 inches were seen. Temperatures were quick to drop  by mid morning cold air was pouring into the area with northwest winds that gusted to near 40MPH in some areas. Temperatures fell 15 to 20 degrees over the course of the day, starting off in the middle 50s at midnight and ending up in the upper 30s by 1pm. This temperature drop was enough to produce the 1st snow of the season at some spots. Cannon Falls reported light snow, and I personally observed snow falling while traveling between Zumbrota and Cannon Falls.  There were no other reports of snow from any other areas.

Severe Weather Reports

St Charles 1.00″ quarter sized hail. 

Rainfall Reports & Wind gusts

 Red Wing 2.91″  29MPH

Preston 1.52″ 36MPH

 Cannon Falls 1.46″  32MPH

 Lake City 1.38″

Byron 1.30″ 39MPH

Dodge Center 1.28″ 37MPH

Grand Meadow 1.27″

Zumbrota 1.12″ 32MPH

 Austin 1.13″ 39MPH

West Downtown Rochester-My Station 1.10″

Elgin 0.86″

Rochester Airport 0.84″ 37MPH

Winona 0.78″ 36MPH

Wabasha 0.68″