Severe Storms Threaten Upper Midwest With Strong Tornadoes

Severe Storms Threaten Upper Midwest With Strong Tornadoes \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Upper Midwest braced Monday for severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong EF-2 tornadoes or worse, especially in southern Minnesota, northern Iowa, and western Wisconsin. Cities activated emergency protocols, closed schools, and urged residents to prepare for outages and dangerous winds. Early storms brought heavy rain, with more volatile conditions expected by evening.

Quick Looks

• Southern Minnesota, northern Iowa, and western Wisconsin face highest tornado risks.
• National Weather Service issues Level 4 (out of 5) threat rating.
• Tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail expected in late afternoon and evening.
• Minneapolis activates emergency operations center; closes public buildings.
• Schools in Minnesota and Iowa cancel evening activities.
• Early storms bring heavy rains and large hail near Beaver Creek, MN.
• Tornado derails BNSF coal train in Nebraska; no injuries reported.
• Severe weather risk extends southward into parts of Texas and Oklahoma.

Deep Look

The Upper Midwest faced a critical weather emergency on Monday as a major storm system barreled across the region, bringing threats of destructive tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds capable of disrupting daily life and causing widespread destruction.

Communities in southern Minnesota, northern Iowa, and western Wisconsin were at the epicenter of the threat, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a Level 4 out of 5 risk alert — a rare and sobering designation signaling the potential for strong EF-2 tornadoes or greater, significant property damage, and life-threatening conditions.

A High-Risk Weather Setup

Meteorologists warned of a particularly volatile atmosphere over the Upper Midwest:

• Warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico surged northward.
• Strong upper-level winds created significant wind shear — a critical ingredient for tornado formation.
• Two rounds of storms were expected, with the late afternoon and evening hours posing the greatest danger.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma, issued tornado watches covering vast stretches of the region, while emergency officials urged residents to take preparations seriously and remain alert.

“The most dangerous period is likely during the late afternoon and evening when strong tornado potential should be maximized,” forecasters said. “Scattered large to very large hail and damaging winds are likely as well.”

This system, meteorologists warned, had the potential to produce long-track, strong tornadoes — storms capable of staying on the ground for extended distances, causing significant devastation.

Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Surrounding Areas Prepare

In a proactive move:

• Minneapolis officials closed non-emergency city buildings at 2 p.m.
• The city’s emergency operations center was activated.
• Residents were instructed to secure outdoor furniture, charge electronic devices, prepare flashlights, and ensure they had multiple ways to receive emergency alerts, including NOAA radios and mobile apps.

The first wave of storms swept through Minneapolis in the morning, bringing ominous skies and brief heavy rain but no major warnings.
The main threat, however, loomed for the evening, when energy levels in the atmosphere were expected to peak.

Schools across Minnesota and Iowa, including major districts like Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Bloomington, canceled evening activities to ensure the safety of students and families.

In southwestern Minnesota, severe weather already began materializing by early afternoon.
The NWS reported hailstones nearly 3 inches (7 centimeters) wide near Beaver Creek, a clear sign that the atmosphere was primed for explosive storm development.

Broader Threat Zone: Southward to Texas and Oklahoma

While the most extreme conditions were focused on the Upper Midwest, the storm system’s instability extended far south.
The SPC warned that parts of northern Texas and Oklahoma could also see isolated severe thunderstorms, though the tornado threat there was somewhat lower.

This expansive risk area reflected the size and power of the system — one of the more significant severe weather outbreaks of the 2025 spring season.

Sunday’s Tornadoes: A Grim Preview

The threat was underscored by real-world damage already inflicted:

• On Sunday evening, a tornado more than one mile wide derailed an empty BNSF coal train near Ashby in northwestern Nebraska.
• Approximately 130 train cars were derailed, many overturned and scattered along the tracks.
• Miraculously, there were no injuries, and the locomotive itself remained upright.

This incident served as a stark warning that the conditions driving these storms were capable of causing massive destruction.

Emergency Management: Response and Challenges

Emergency operations across Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin were fully activated as officials worked to:

• Track storm cells in real-time.
• Coordinate rapid deployment of first responders.
• Monitor for flash flooding risks in areas expecting heavy rainfall.

Authorities urged residents to shelter in basements or interior rooms without windows during tornado warnings and to avoid traveling once storms approached.

Additionally, power companies warned of potential outages due to strong winds and downed trees, and advised residents to stock up on water, food, and battery-operated light sources.

Historic Context: Echoes of Past Midwest Outbreaks

The Midwest is no stranger to dangerous spring weather, but Monday’s storm setup invoked comparisons to past deadly outbreaks:

• The Twin Cities area has not faced a widespread Level 4 threat since the destructive outbreaks of 2010.
• In May 2011, a powerful tornado killed dozens in Joplin, Missouri, just south of Monday’s primary threat zone.

Historically, mid-May often marks peak severe weather season for this region, making Monday’s threat both seasonally expected and unusually potent.

Meteorologists emphasized that this outbreak could serve as a reminder of how rapidly conditions can turn deadly — even with today’s advanced radar and warning technologies.

Conclusion: A Critical Night Ahead

As the afternoon gave way to evening, anxiety grew across the Upper Midwest.

• Would the worst-case scenario materialize?
• Would early warnings save lives?
• Would communities be spared the devastation seen in Nebraska the night before?

Whatever the outcome, Monday’s events served as a powerful reminder that preparation saves lives.
The combination of meteorological vigilance, strong community response, and individual preparedness will determine whether this night becomes a historic disaster or a near-miss.

For now, all eyes remained on the skies — and all hopes focused on getting through the night safely.

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