Excessive Rainfall in the Southern Plains; Extreme Heat Coming to the Southwest U.S.

Heavy to severe thunderstorms may bring areas of excessive rainfall and flooding over parts of the southern Plains through Friday. A Slight Risk of excessive rainfall has been issued. Dangerously hot temperatures are forecast across parts of southern Arizona and far southeastern California Saturday through Monday. An Extreme Heat Watch has been issued. Read More >

Overview

May 6, 1965 was one of the worst tornado outbreaks in Minnesota history. Six tornadoes affected six counties around the Twin Cities with 13 fatalities and over 500 injured. The tornado outbreak lasted three hours and caused $51 million in damage. There were four F-4s, one F-3, and one F-2. Two of the F-4s crossed paths, causing even more damage. These tornadoes developed due to low pressure in North Dakota/Canada and unstable air behind a warm front over the Twin Cities region.

Weather Bureau, local officials, and the outstanding communications by local radio and television stations. Many credit the announcers of WCCO-AM with saving countless lives. It was also the first time in Twin Cities history that civil defense sirens were used for severe weather.

Top row: Minnetonka tornado (left) and Glencoe tornado (right)

Bottom row: Fridley tornado (left) and Hamburg tornado (right)

Tornado
Photos
Radar
Storm Reports
Environment

Tornadoes:

Tornado - Cologne
Carver and Hennepin Counties

Date	6 May 1965
Time (Local)	6:08 PM-6:40 PM CST
F Rating	F-4
Path Length	12.3 miles
Injuries/Deaths	3 fatalities, 175 injured
Summary: This tornado touched down east of Cologne, moved northeast, and dissipated northeast of Minnetrista and Orono.

Track Map

Tornado - Chanhassen, Minnetonka, Deephaven
Carver and Hennepin Counties

Date	6 May 1965
Time (Local)	6:27 PM-6:43 PM CST
F Rating	F-4
Path Length	6.9 miles
Injuries/Deaths	None
Summary: This tornado touched down near Lake Susan in Chanhassen and traveled north through Minnetonka and Deephaven.

Track Map

Tornado - New Auburn, Lester Prairie
Sibley and McLeod Counties

Date	6 May 1965
Time (Local)	6:34 PM-7:01 PM CST
F Rating	F-3
Path Length	15.5 miles
Injuries/Deaths	None
Summary: This tornado touched down three miles east of New Auburn, traveled northeast near Glencoe, and dissipated west of Lester Prairie.

Track Map

Tornado - Green Isle, Hamburg, Waconia
Sibley and Carver Counties

Date	6 May 1965
Time (Local)	6:43 PM-7:04 PM CST
F Rating	F-2
Path Length	11.2 miles
Injuries/Deaths	1 fatality, 175 injured
Summary: This tornado touched down two miles east of Green Isle, moved northeast near Hamburg and Norwood Young America, and dissipated two miles southwest of Waconia.

Track Map

Tornado - Fridley, Blaine
Anoka County

Date	6 May 1965
Time (Local)	7:06 PM-7:21 PM CST
F Rating	F-4
Path Length	6.8 miles
Injuries/Deaths	3 fatalities, 175 injured
Summary: This tornado touched down in the southwestern corner of Fridley, traveled northeast through Fridley, and dissipated northeast of Laddie Lake in Blaine.

Track Map

Tornado - Golden Valley, Fridley, Mounds View
Hennepin, Anoka, Ramsey Counties

Date	6 May 1965
Time (Local)	8:14 PM-9:02 PM CST
F Rating	F-4
Path Length	17.3 miles
Injuries/Deaths	6 fatalities, 158 injured
Summary: This tornado touched down in Golden Valley, traveled across north Minneapolis and into Fridley, through Mounds View, and finally dissipated west of Centerville.

Track Map

In 1965, the Fujita (F) Scale was used to classify tornadoes into the following categories:

F0 Weak <73 mph	F1 Moderate 73-112 mph	F2 Significant 113-157 mph	F3 Severe 158-206 mph	F4 Extreme 207-260 mph	F5 Catastrophic 261-318 mph

Photos:


Damage in Fridley	Airplane damage in Blaine/Anoka Co. Airport	Damage in Norwood Young America (SW of Minneapolis)	Damage in Waconia

Radar:


Radar image of supercells on May 5 at 1910 LST	Radar image of supercells on May 6 from 1836-1845 LST	Radar image of supercells on May 6 from 1855-2038 LST

Storm Reports

Environment

On the morning of May 6, two upper-level low pressure systems were situated over the western U.S. and the North Dakota/Canada border. The flow/circulation associated with these lows created favorable conditions for instability. Later in the evening, warm moist air was located behind the warm front over the Twin Cities area. This environment led to convection and tornadic supercells.


500 mb analysis on morning of May 6	500 mb analysis on evening of May 6	Surface analysis on evening of May 6

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Excessive Rainfall in the Southern Plains; Extreme Heat Coming to the Southwest U.S.

Summary of May 6, 1965 Twin Cities Tornadoes