June 2019 Minnesota tornado outbreak

The June 2019 Minnesota tornado outbreak was a series of tornadoes that affected central Minnesota and the Twin Cities area. It is the deadliest outbreak to affect the Twin Cities in the 21st century and the most recent occurrence of a tornado outbreak in the area.

Meteorological synopsis
On June 23, 2019, an upper-level area of low pressure and associated trough moved southeastward across the Rocky Mountains into the Great Plains. Along the base of the trough, the presence of a strong mid-level jet stream provided significant instability. Dewpoint values had ranged from the upper 70s°F to the lower 80s°F, with temperatures in the mid to high-70s°F, and CAPE predicting referring to values ranging from 3000 to 4000 J/kg. Deep layer wind shear speeds of 47–50 knots would enhance storm organization and intensity. Mesoanyalsis predicted the significant tornado parameter values to range from 3.5-4. These values resulted in the NWS to issue a high risk for central Minnesota in the convective outlook. At 3:50 PM CDT, the NWS issued a PDS Tornado Watch for Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Anoka, Scott, Carver, McLeod, Meeker, Steams and Kandiyohi Counties.

Storm development and tornado outbreak
At 4:18 PM, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for a thunderstorm over Steams County due to reports of nickle-sized hail and 60 mph wind gusts. By 4:20 PM six more severe thunderstorm warnings where issued as more storms started to pop-up. Ten minutes later the first tornado warning of the outbreak was issued for Meeker County.