Tornado Confirmed in Southern Minnesota Amid Severe Outbreak

Severe thunderstorms unleashed a confirmed tornado in southern Minnesota on Monday evening, marking the start of a multiday severe weather outbreak across the central United States that threatens millions with large hail, damaging winds and additional twisters.

The tornado touched down around 7:20 p.m. CDT near Hartland in Faribault County, with videos from storm chasers and residents capturing a funnel cloud on the ground west of Amboy. A powerful supercell thunderstorm fueled the event, prompting multiple tornado warnings across Blue Earth, Steele, Rice and surrounding counties, including areas near Truman and Mankato. Officials from the National Weather Service described the volume of warnings as unusually high, reflecting the storm's intensity as it tracked eastward.

Hail emerged as a primary hazard, with reports from trained spotters and the public noting stones up to three inches in diameter, comparable to tennis balls or teacups. These impacted vehicles, roofs and crops in multiple counties, while torrential rains triggered flash flood warnings, exacerbating risks on roads and low-lying areas. No immediate injuries or widespread structural damage were reported from the...