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Last Updated on Sunday, 10 January 2010 01:15 Written by Roger Hill

2001

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The day of May 1, 2001 will live a long time in my mind. The day started out with a potentially explosive situation in northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota. A strong low with associated warm front was approaching the area from South Dakota, as well as a pronounced dry punch from Nebraska. Our thoughts were to get in position at the nose of the dry punch. Several tornadic supercells developed in Minnesota before we could make it there. However, little did we know that the tail end storm, the Glenville storm, was to be the most spectacular show of the day, and maybe of the season. The cell developed in Winnebago county, Iowa and intensified as it crossed the border into Minnesota. It rapidly developed one of the most incredible large rotating wall clouds I have ever seen, followed by an awesome tornado. Unfortunately it hit parts of the town of Glenville. A second even larger tornado developed after an occlusion near the town of Austin, Minnesota, followed by a third "Wizard of Oz" type tornado near Rosebud, Minnesota. Check out the pics below of this incredible event!

The Glenville supercell during its early stages. Notice the tail cloud already forming.	Nice striated updraft. This occurred about 30 minutes before tornadogenesis.
Large wall cloud develops and takes on a blocky appearance.	The wall cloud starts rapidly rotating.
Intense cascading and differential motion develops as a funnel forms.	Tornado forms!!
Check out the awesome structure to this beast, complete with clear slot.	Debris cloud is very visible.
Power flashes are seen in the town of Glenville.	The condensation funnel lifts leaving a nice truncated cone.
Cone fills in with condensation again.	Beautiful sight. My favorite photo!!!
The F2/F3 damage this tornado causes, only 300 yards from our location.	More damage with the departing tornado in the background.
Second tornado, almost 1/2 mile wide forms near Austin, Minnesota.	The partially rain wrapped monster directly to our east near Austin, Minnesota.
Another shot of this HUGE tornado!!	The next tornado forms near Rosebud, Minnesota.
Classic rope tornado!	Another funnel forms, but does not become tornadic.