Minnesota Led The Nation For 2010 Tornadoes

By Bruce Hagevik, NewsRadio 830 WCCO

ALBERT LEA, Minn. (WCCO) -- Minnesota had more reported tornadoes in 2010 than any state in the nation with 145. The preliminary numbers were issued by the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center.

Texas took second place with 105 reports.

But there's a difference between reported and confirmed tornadoes.

"Those are preliminary numbers where sometimes multiple spotters report the same tornado," said meteorologist Todd Krause of the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service.

"As it turns out Minnesota in this year wound up with 104 (confirmed) tornadoes," he added.

Krause says the 145 figure no doubt will be reduced in the final count.

"The same is true of other states as well," said Krause.

Still, Minnesota will likely retain its number-one position.

Forty-eight tornadoes were spotted in the state June 17, which set a one-day record. There were also tornadoes in Wisconsin, North Dakota and Iowa, totaling 74 including Minnesota.

"That places it in second in the country all time for summertime tornadoes," said Krause. "'Summertime' being June, July, August."

There were 24 tornadoes in the state in all of 2009.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Bruce Hagevik Reports