Faribault's Weather Page
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026

Storm log

Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018

Tornado in Faribault under a tornado warning

  • Tornado
  • Wind
  • Tornado warning
  • Severe thunderstorm warning

The National Weather Service logged 37 storm reports within 20 miles: 13 tornado and 24 wind. It issued four warnings for Rice County: three tornado warnings and a severe thunderstorm warning; two of them included Faribault.

Storm reports
37Within 20 miles
Warnings
4For Rice County
Under a warning
0 hr 56 minFaribault, under a tornado, severe thunderstorm or flash flood warning
Faribault warned
YesTwo warnings

Timeline

  1. Tornado warning, 6:19 to 7 p.m.; over Faribault
  2. Severe thunderstorm warning, 6:23 to 7:15 p.m.; over Faribault
  3. Tornado warning, 6:40 to 6:53 p.m.
  4. Tornado warning, 6:49 to 7:02 p.m.
  5. 37 storm reports, 6:26 to 7:55 p.m.

Bars: warnings, from issue to end; filled when the warning covered Faribault. Dots: storm reports at the time of each.

Faribault airport (KFBL)

  1. Temperature 61° to 70°
  2. Wind gusts to 45 mph
  3. Pressure 29.46 to 29.99 in.

High 70° at 1:55 p.m., low 61° at 1:15 a.m. Peak gust 45 mph at 6:41 p.m. Shaded: the storm's round (6:19 to 7:55 p.m.). The airport reports about every 20 minutes, so a gust between its reports isn't in this record. Pressure is its altimeter setting, in inches of mercury. Over The airport's day Midnight to midnight standard time all year (1 a.m. to 1 a.m. in daylight time): the day the airport's high and low cover. This site's report card: midnight to midnight standard time.

Map

Map of Rice County for Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018: 4 warning outlines and 37 storm reports within 20 miles of Faribault, numbered as in the reports tableFaribault1, 3245, 67, 168, 9101112, 1913, 15, 18, 361417, 30, 37202122232425, 282627293132333435
  • Tornado 13
  • Wind 24
  • Tornado warning outlines 3
  • Severe thunderstorm warning outline 1
  • Faribault
  • 20 miles

Storm reports

Within 20 miles of Faribault, from the National Weather Service; the numbers match the map.

  • Owatonna 6
  • Faribault 4
  • Northfield 4
  • Dennison 3
  • Morristown 3
  • Near Faribault 3
  • Waterville 3
  • West Concord 3
  • Dundas 2
  • Medford 2
  • Randolph 2
  • Kenyon 1
  • Waseca 1
Sort:
Storm reports within 20 miles of Faribault, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018
No.TimeReportWhereFrom FaribaultReported by
16:26 p.m.Tornado
Remark

EF1 TORNADO TRACKED 7.7 MILES NORTHEAST INTO WESTERN RICE COUNTY.

2 miles southwest of Waterville17 miles west of FaribaultNWS storm survey
26:30 p.m.Tornado
Remark

EF1 TORNADO TRACKED 27.8 MILES NORTHEAST THROUGH MEDFORD AND ENDED IN SOUTHWEST GOODHUE COUNTY. SEVERAL FARMSTEADS WERE HEAVILY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.

1 mile east of Waseca18 miles southwest of FaribaultNWS storm survey
36:30 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

NUMEROUS TREES DOWN AROUND WATERVILLE.

in Waterville16 miles west of FaribaultAmateur radio operator
46:30 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

TWEET WITH PHOTOS OF TREES DOWN AND MINOR DAMAGE TO WATERVILLE-ELYSIAN-MORRISTOWN HIGH SCHOOL.

1 mile east of Waterville15 miles west of FaribaultTV or radio
56:32 p.m.Tornado
Remark

EF2 TORNADO TRACKED NORTHEAST 25.8 MILES. SEVERAL HOMES WERE DESTROYED IN SOUTHERN MORRISTOWN.

in Morristown10 miles southwest of FaribaultNWS storm survey
66:35 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

NUMEROUS TREES DOWN FROM MORRISTOWN TO WATERVILLE.

in Morristown9 miles southwest of FaribaultAmateur radio operator
76:36 p.m.Thunderstorm wind gust 52 mph, measured
Remark

CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND GST REPORT FROM 2 W OWATONNA. REPORT RELAYED BY STEELE COUNTY EM FROM TRAINED SPOTTER.

2 miles west of Owatonna14 miles south of FaribaultMember of the public
86:38 p.m.Tornado
Remark

EF1 TORNADO TRACKED NORTHEAST 7.7 MILES.

6 miles north-northeast of Morristown7 miles west of FaribaultNWS storm survey
96:39 p.m.Tornado
Remark

TORNADO SPUN UP 6 WNW FARIBAULT, TRACKED ACROSS ROBERDS LAKE AND I-35, BEFORE ENDING 5 N FARIBAULT. THE MOST EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OCCURRED ON THE EAST SIDE OF ROBERDS LAKE WHERE NUMEROUS HOMES, BOATS, AND TREES WERE DAMAGED. WITNESS STATED THE WATER WAS BEING BLOWN WESTWARD BEFORE QUICKLY RETURNING TO THE EAST AS THE TORNADO PASSED. HIGH TENSION WIRES WERE DOWN ALONG I-35.

6 miles west-northwest of Faribault6 miles west of FaribaultNWS storm survey
106:39 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

PUBLIC REPORT OF TREES UPROOTED AND SNAPPED AT THE BASE IN MEDFORD.

in Medford8 miles south of FaribaultMember of the public
116:42 p.m.Tornado
Remark

CALLED IN TO REPORT TREES DOWN AND UPROOTED. A ROOF WAS BLOWN OFF A SHED AND THERE ARE ROAD BLOCKAGES. RADAR CONFIRMED TORNADO.

3 miles north-northeast of Medford6 miles south of FaribaultTrained storm spotter
126:42 p.m.Thunderstorm wind gust 110 mph, estimated
Remark

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WINDS OCCURRED FROM ABOUT 4 NW OF MORRISTOWN EAST TO THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE NORTHWEST FARIBAULT TORNADO, (INCLUDING THE FARIBAULT AIRPORT AREA), TO CANNON FALLS. WINDS WERE MOST EXTREME NEAR THE AIRPORT WITH ESTIMATED SPEEDS AROUND 110 MPH. TORNADOES MAY HAVE SPUN UP WITHIN THIS SWATH, BUT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED.

3 miles northwest of Faribault3 miles northwest of FaribaultNWS storm survey
136:43 p.m.Tornado
Remark

SECOND-HAND RELAY FROM STORM SPOTTERS OF A TORNADO CROSSING I-35 NEAR FARIBAULT. NO PHOTO PROVIDED.

1 mile northwest of FaribaultIn FaribaultMember of the public
146:43 p.m.Tornado
Remark

EF1 TORNADO TRACKED NORTHEAST 14.3 MILES.

6 miles west-southwest of Dundas7 miles north of FaribaultNWS storm survey
156:43 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

TWEET WITH PHOTOS OF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO METCON BUILDING AND SIGNIFICANT TREE DAMAGE NEARBY.

1 mile north of FaribaultIn FaribaultTrained storm spotter
166:43 p.m.Thunderstorm wind gust 52 mph, measured
Remark

REPORT RELAYED BY STEELE COUNTY EM FROM TRAINED SPOTTER.

2 miles west of Owatonna14 miles south of FaribaultMember of the public
176:44 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage1 mile northeast of Owatonna13 miles south of FaribaultMember of the public
186:44 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM FARIBAULT. PUBLIC REPORT OF NUMEROUS TREES DOWN IN FARIBAULT. MAXIMUM DIAMETER ESTIMATED TO BE 2 FEET. NO PHOTOS PROVIDED.

in FaribaultIn FaribaultMember of the public
196:45 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AT FARIBAULT AIRPORT. PLANES FLIPPED. OTHER DAMAGE REPORTS JUST COMING IN TO RICE COUNTY EM.

3 miles northwest of Faribault3 miles northwest of FaribaultEmergency management
206:48 p.m.Tornado
Remark

EF0 TORNADO TRACKED 3.8 MILES TO DUNDAS.

3 miles west-southwest of Dundas8 miles north of FaribaultNWS storm survey
216:50 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

SEVERAL TREES DOWN PER SKYWARN GROUP ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

1 mile southeast of Owatonna15 miles south of FaribaultMember of the public
226:50 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

FROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED PHOTO OF DESTROYED RED BARN PIZZA PLACE.

2 miles southeast of Northfield12 miles northeast of FaribaultNWS employee
236:51 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.

6 miles west-northwest of Randolph18 miles north of Faribault911 call center
246:52 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

FROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED FROM RELATIVES THAT MANY LARGE PINE TREES WERE DOWN AND A CAMPER WAS MOVED.

4 miles west of Dennison11 miles northeast of FaribaultNWS employee
256:52 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

FROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED FROM RELATIVES THAT A SHED HAD BLOWN AND LARGE TREES HAD BEEN BLOWN DOWN.

3 miles north-northwest of Dennison15 miles northeast of FaribaultNWS employee
266:52 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

FROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED FROM RELATIVES THAT A LARGE GRAIN LEG WAS DOWN AND BINS WERE DAMAGED.

4 miles east-northeast of Northfield15 miles northeast of FaribaultNWS employee
276:53 p.m.Tornado
Remark

EF1 TORNADO TRACKED EASTWARD 8.9 MILES.

2 miles east of Northfield14 miles northeast of FaribaultNWS storm survey
286:54 p.m.Tornado
Remark

MPING REPORT OF A TORNADO.

3 miles east of Northfield14 miles northeast of FaribaultMember of the public
296:54 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

RELAYED REPORT VIA NWSCHAT OF SEVERAL TREES SNAPPED AND CEMENT STAVE STYLE SILO BLOWN DOWN ON FARM. NO PHOTOS PROVIDED.

2 miles north of Dennison15 miles northeast of FaribaultTrained storm spotter
306:55 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

CORRECTS TIME - REPORT FROM 1 NNW OWATONNA. STEELE COUNTY EM CALLED TO REPORT NUMEROUS 6-12 INCH TREES SNAPPED AND DOWN IN OWATONNA.

1 mile north-northwest of Owatonna13 miles south of FaribaultEmergency management
316:56 p.m.Tornado
Remark

EF0 TORNADO TRACKED EAST NORTHEASTWARD 19.4 MILES. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS TO CORN FIELDS.

4 miles east of Kenyon18 miles east of FaribaultNWS storm survey
326:57 p.m.Tornado
Remark

GOODHUE COUNTY 911 CENTER REPORTS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AT STANTON AIRPORT. RADAR CONFIRMED A TORNADO IN THE AREA.

4 miles south of Randolph18 miles northeast of FaribaultOfficial NWS observation
336:57 p.m.Thunderstorm wind gust 48 mph, measured
Remark

REPORTED BY WEST CONCORD FIRE DEPT

5 miles west of West Concord17 miles southeast of FaribaultEmergency management
346:58 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

TREES BLOWN DOWN

2 miles west of West Concord19 miles southeast of FaribaultEmergency management
356:59 p.m.Thunderstorm wind gust 60 mph, measured
Remark

REPORTED BY WEST CONCORD FIRE DEPT

3 miles north-northwest of West Concord19 miles east of FaribaultFire department or rescue squad
367:40 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

PUBLIC REPORT OF NUMEROUS TREES DOWN IN FARIBAULT. MAXIMUM DIAMETER ESTIMATED TO BE 2 FEET. NO PHOTOS PROVIDED.

in FaribaultIn FaribaultMember of the public
377:55 p.m.Thunderstorm wind damage
Remark

STEELE COUNTY EM CALLED TO REPORT NUMEROUS 6-12 INCH TREES SNAPPED AND DOWN IN OWATONNA.

1 mile north-northwest of Owatonna13 miles south of FaribaultEmergency management

Warnings

How much warning Faribault had: 24 minutes. The tornado warning over Faribault began at 6:19 p.m.; tornado was reported in Faribault at 6:43 p.m. The site's measure: from the warning's start to the first report of its kind, at warning size, in town while it was in effect.

Each opens to its details. “What happened” is this site's own check, not the National Weather Service's verification: a report of the warning's kind, at warning size, inside its outline while it was in effect.

  1. Tornado warning 6:19 to 7 p.m. Included Faribault
    Issued
    6:19 p.m.
    In effect until
    7 p.m.
    Area
    The outline the weather service drew (on the map)
    Faribault
    Yes, inside its area.
    What happened (the site's check)
    Yes: tornado 1 mile northeast of Smiths Mill at 6:19 p.m.
  2. Severe thunderstorm warning 6:23 to 7:15 p.m. Included Faribault
    Issued
    6:23 p.m.
    In effect until
    7:15 p.m.
    Area
    The outline the weather service drew (on the map)
    Faribault
    Yes, inside its area.
    What happened (the site's check)
    Yes: thunderstorm wind damage in Elysian at 6:23 p.m.
  3. Tornado warning 6:40 to 6:53 p.m. Faribault outside
    Issued
    6:40 p.m.
    In effect until
    6:53 p.m.
    Area
    The outline the weather service drew (on the map)
    Faribault
    No, outside its area.
    What happened (the site's check)
    Yes: tornado 3 miles north-northeast of Medford at 6:42 p.m.
  4. Tornado warning 6:49 to 7:02 p.m. Faribault outside
    Issued
    6:49 p.m.
    In effect until
    7:02 p.m.
    Area
    The outline the weather service drew (on the map)
    Faribault
    No, outside its area.
    What happened (the site's check)
    Yes: tornado 2 miles east of Northfield at 6:53 p.m.

Days like this one

  • Aug. 29, 2025: Landspout 5 miles east-southeast of Kenyon
  • Aug. 27, 2018: Wind damage in Faribault; tornado warning nearby
  • Aug. 24, 2006: Tornado 1 mile east of Kilkenny; Faribault under a tornado warning

Storm days since 2005 whose first tag is Tornado, as this one's is, nearest in time of year; never within two days of this one.

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