Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2002

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 169, NWS Grand Forks, ND

August 1, 2002Cass County, North Dakota; Clay County, Norman County, Minnesota

NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 1, 2002, 1:33 AM CDT for Cass County, North Dakota; Clay County, Norman County, Minnesota. It was in force for 42 min. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Aug 1, 2002, 1:33 AM CDT (06:33 UTC)
Expired
Aug 1, 2002, 2:15 AM CDT
In force
42 min
Issued by
NWS Grand Forks, ND
Area
Whole counties

Counties Clay County, MN, Norman County, MN, Cass County, ND

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:33 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Aug 1, 1:35 AM CDTHail 1Gardner, ND
Aug 1, 2:00 AM CDTHail 0.75Perley, MN
Aug 1, 2:00 AM CDTHail 0.75Georgetown, MN

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in.

The nearest sounding before it

Aberdeen, SD (KABR), launched 00:00Z, 6.6 hours before the alert went out and 272 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Aberdeen, SD at 00:00Z on 2002-08-01Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 3338 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Aberdeen, SD at 00:00Z on 2002-08-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 160 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
3338 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-198 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1589 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
160 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
235 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
6.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

229 
WUUS53 KFGF 010633
SVRFAR
MNC027-107-NDC017-010715-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS
133 AM CDT THU AUG 1 2002

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND FORKS HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...

  NORTHERN CLAY COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA...
  SOUTHERN NORMAN COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA AND
  NORTHEASTERN CASS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA.

* UNTIL 215 AM CDT.

* AT 128 AM...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM OVER GARDNER...OR ABOUT 21 MILES NORTH OF
  FARGO...MOVEMENT WAS TO THE EAST AT 50 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...

  PERLEY AT 135 AM...
  GEORGETOWN AT 140 AM...
  BORUP AT 155 AM AND
  ULEN AT 205 AM.

REMEMBER SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE
TORNADOES WITH LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING.

23
NNNN

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Grand Forks, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 31, 8:55 PM CDT, 4 hours 38 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 31, 8:55 PM CDT, 4 hours 38 minutes before
FORECAST DISCUSSION FOR EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
855 PM CDT WED JUL 31 2002

FORECAST CHALLENGE FOR TONIGHT IS SEVERE WEATHER. KMVX HAS NUMEROUS
SEVERE STORMS MOVING THROUGH E ND INTO NW MN. WITH COLD FRONT
EXTENDING THROUGH ND ALONG A LANGDON TO BAKER TO BISMARCK LINE...
STILL HAVE A LONG TIME TO GO BEFORE EXPECT SEVERE TO BE OUT OF AREA.
WITH WATCH OVER DEVILS LAKE AREA EXPECTED TO EXPIRE AT 9 PM...AND
LINE OF SEVERE CLOSE TO EXIT THAT AREA...TIMING FOR WATCH EXPIRATION
LOOKS GOOD. REMAINDER OF AREA STILL UNDER SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH
UNTIL 1 AM...WITH LOADED GUN SOUNDINGS...STRONG SURFACE BOUNDARY...
JET SUPPORT...DARKENING ON WATER VAPOR STARTING TO SHOW UP...ETC
...SO WATCH FOR REMAINDER OF AREA UNTIL 1 AM STILL LOOKS GOOD.
CONSEQUENTLY...CURRENT FORECAST WELL IN HAND. WILL ONLY NEED TO MAKE
MINOR CHANGES.

.FGF...NONE.

NG

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 31, 7:47 PM CDT, 5 hours 46 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
747 PM CDT WED JUL 31 2002

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0639 AM    CHURCHS FERRY             ND   .75 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   RAMSEY

0610 PM    5 N LEEDS                 ND   1.75 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   BENSON

0618 PM    LEEDS                     ND   1.00 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   BENSON

0618 PM    4 E LEEDS                 ND   2.00 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   BENSON

0627 PM    CHURCHS FERRY             ND   .75 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   RAMSEY

0720 PM    2 N DEVILS LAKE           ND   .75 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   RAMSEY                         WALL CLOUD

0720 PM    MADDOCK                   ND   1.00 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   BENSON                         GROUND COVERED TOTALLY
                                          WHITE

0730 PM    2 NW DEVILS LAKE          ND   1.00 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   RAMSEY

ME
Local storm report, Jul 31, 7:47 PM CDT, 5 hours 46 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
747 PM CDT WED JUL 31 2002

...CORRECTED TIME OF FIRST REPORT...

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0639 PM    CHURCHS FERRY             ND   .75 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   RAMSEY

0610 PM    5 N LEEDS                 ND   1.75 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   BENSON

0618 PM    LEEDS                     ND   1.00 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   BENSON

0618 PM    4 E LEEDS                 ND   2.00 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   BENSON

0627 PM    CHURCHS FERRY             ND   .75 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   RAMSEY

0720 PM    2 N DEVILS LAKE           ND   .75 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   RAMSEY                         WALL CLOUD

0720 PM    MADDOCK                   ND   1.00 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   BENSON                         GROUND COVERED TOTALLY
                                          WHITE

0730 PM    2 NW DEVILS LAKE          ND   1.00 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   RAMSEY

ME
Local storm report, Jul 31, 11:43 PM CDT, 1 hour 50 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
1143 PM CDT WED JUL 31 2002

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0735 PM    LANKIN                    ND   FLOOD
07/31/02   WALSH                          STREET FLOODING DUE TO
                                          HEAVY RAINS

0737 PM    LANKIN                    ND   70 MPH TSTORM WIND
07/31/02   WALSH

0740 PM    DEVILS LAKE               ND   .75 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   RAMSEY                         FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED BY
                                          COOPERATIVE OBSERVER

0805 PM    LANKIN                    ND   1.00 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   WALSH                          WIND DAMAGE

0902 PM    GRAFTON                   ND   FLOOD
07/31/02   WALSH                          STREET FLOODING DUE TO
                                          HEAVY RAINS

ME
Local storm report, Jul 31, 11:43 PM CDT, 1 hour 50 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
1143 PM CDT WED JUL 31 2002

...CORRECTED TIME OF SECOND REPORT...

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0735 PM    LANKIN                    ND   FLOOD
07/31/02   WALSH                          STREET FLOODING DUE TO
                                          HEAVY RAINS

0757 PM    LANKIN                    ND   70 MPH TSTORM WIND
07/31/02   WALSH

0740 PM    DEVILS LAKE               ND   .75 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   RAMSEY                         FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED BY
                                          COOPERATIVE OBSERVER

0805 PM    LANKIN                    ND   1.00 INCH HAIL
07/31/02   WALSH                          WIND DAMAGE

0902 PM    GRAFTON                   ND   FLOOD
07/31/02   WALSH                          STREET FLOODING DUE TO
                                          HEAVY RAINS

ME

The office that day

Everything else NWS Grand Forks, ND issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 31, 7:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFRamsey42 min
Jul 31, 7:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFCavalier41 min
Jul 31, 7:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBenson42 min
Jul 31, 7:36 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFRamsey39 min
Jul 31, 7:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFWalsh50 min
Jul 31, 8:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFGrand Forks54 min
Jul 31, 8:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFNelson51 min
Jul 31, 8:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFWalsh49 min
Jul 31, 11:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFEddy49 min
Aug 1, 12:09 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFGriggs51 min
Aug 1, 12:40 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBarnes, Steele, Traill50 min
Aug 1, 12:53 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFCass37 min
Aug 1, 1:37 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBarnes23 min
Aug 1, 2:11 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFCass49 min
Jul 31, 8:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFKittson46 min
Jul 31, 8:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFMarshall39 min
Jul 31, 9:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBeltrami44 min
Jul 31, 10:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFMarshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake49 min
Jul 31, 10:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBeltrami29 min
Jul 31, 11:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFClearwater, Polk30 min
Aug 1, 12:00 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBecker, Hubbard45 min
Aug 1, 12:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFWadena36 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Minnesota, 2002Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Dakota, 2002Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2002

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.