In the evening hours of June 17, 2010, a large and powerful multi-vortex tornado moved across Freeborn County, located in the state of Minnesota.

On June 16, 2010, 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; however, warm-air aloft was expected to limit the extent of convective development.

Moderate to strong deep layer wind shear along with steep lapse rates would allow for the development of supercell thunderstorms with large hail (greater than 2 in (5.1 cm) in diameter).

The supercells eventually reached the Wisconsin border later that evening and reformed into a squall line, rapidly ending the severe weather outbreak.

[7] The tornado continued to move to the northeast, carving a path through Freeborn County and producing intense crop damage.

[7] The tornado continued to the northeast across County Road 4, where field raking was documented and several trees were ripped out of the ground.

[7] As the main tornado crossed County Road 74, it hit a farmstead at EF2 intensity, killing a woman who was sheltering inside and another west of Albert Lea.