Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2003

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 40, NWS Grand Forks, ND

June 21, 2003Clay County, Norman County, Minnesota

NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 21, 2003, 9:54 PM CDT for Clay County, Norman County, Minnesota. It was in force for 51 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jun 21, 2003, 9:54 PM CDT (02:54 UTC)
Expired
Jun 21, 2003, 10:45 PM CDT
In force
51 min
Issued by
NWS Grand Forks, ND
Area
Counties, with a storm outline in the text

Counties Clay County, MN, Norman County, MN

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 74 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:57 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 21, 6:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Aberdeen, SD (KABR), launched 00:00Z, 2.9 hours before the alert went out and 288 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 2003-06-22Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 4880 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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 2003-06-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 135 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
4880 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-1 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
801 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
135 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
217 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
3.6
Supercell composite
20.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

097 
WUUS53 KFGF 220254
SVRFGF
MNC027-107-220345-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS
953 PM CDT SAT JUN 21 2003

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND FORKS HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...

  CLAY COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA AND
  NORMAN COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

* UNTIL 1045 PM CDT.

* AT 952 PM...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THE
  LEADING EDGE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 36
  MILES SOUTHEAST OF GRAND FORKS TO 15 MILES SOUTHEAST OF FARGO...
  MOVEMENT WAS TO THE EAST AT 45 MPH.

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...

  MOORHEAD AT 957 PM...
  GLYNDON AT 1000 PM...
  ADA AT 1005 PM AND
  HAWLEY AT 1010 PM.

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

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM 
SUNDAY MORNING FOR NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA AND EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA.

LAT...LON 4744 9676 4667 9672 4667 9621 4748 9618

$$

RD/GJG

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 Jun 21, 8:55 PM CDT, 59 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 21, 8:55 PM CDT, 59 minutes before
FORECAST DISCUSSION FOR EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
855 PM CDT SAT JUN 21 2003

MAIN FORECAST CHALLENGE IS SVR WEATHER. CURRENT SATELLITE IMAGERY
SHOWS LARGE AREA OF CONVECTION MOVING FROM CENTRAL ND INTO E ND.
LATEST MSAS SURFACE ANALYSIS HAS SURFACE LOW CENTERED S OF MBG WITH
TROF EXTENDING THROUGH E ND ALONG A DVL TO JMS LINE. ETA AND GFS
BOTH INITIALIZED PRETTY CLOSE. AREA REMAINS UNDER GUN FOR SEVERE
WEATHER THROUGH THE NIGHT AS TROF CONTINUES MOVING SLOWLY E
OVERNIGHT. CURRENT SEVERE WEATHER REPORTS HAVE HAD WINDS UP TO 70
MPH AND HAIL UP TO 1.5 INCHES...WITH STORMS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO A
MORE MOIST ENVIRONMENT AND INTERACT WITH SHORTWAVE THAT IS PUSHING
INTO AREA. CONSEQUENTLY...WATCH UNTIL 2 AM LOOKS GOOD. AS FAR AS
WIND ADVISORY...A FEW SITES STILL GUSTING TO AROUND 35 MPH...BUT
WITH SEVERE WEATHER MAIN CONCERN...WILL LET WIND ADVISORY EXPIRE AT
9 PM CDT. ALL IN ALL...FORECAST IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE WITH ONLY MINOR
CHANGES NEEDED.

.FGF...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH ALL BUT FAR E COUNTIES UNTIL 2 AM
CDT.

NG
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 21, 5:47 AM CDT, 16 hours 7 minutes before
MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-
026>030-038-039-049-052>054-211400-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS
547 AM CDT SAT JUN 21 2003

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS EASTERN NORTH
DAKOTA...NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA...WEST
CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT
THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS ALL OF EASTERN
NORTH DAKOTA...NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH SUNDAY. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAY DEVELOP BY 3 PM THIS
AFTERNOON IN EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA...THEN MOVE EAST INTO MINNESOTA
THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. THE MAIN THREAT WILL BE LARGE HAIL AND
DAMAGING WINDS...ALTHOUGH THERE IS THE CHANCE FOR A FEW ISOLATED
TORNADOES LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING ACROSS EASTERN NORTH
DAKOTA AND EXTREME NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA. IN ADDITION
...SOME THUNDERSTORMS MAY PRODUCE LOCALIZED HEAVY RAINFALL.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EASTERN NORTH
DAKOTA AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA ON SUNDAY. THERE IS A MODERATE RISK
OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ON SUNDAY ALONG AND SOUTH OF A LIDGERWOOD TO
WAHPETON TO WADENA LINE. THE MAIN THREAT WILL BE LARGE HAIL AND
DAMAGING WIND...WITH ISOLATED TORNADOES IN THE MODERATE RISK AREA.
THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD DIMINISH SUNDAY MORNING...BUT ONCE AGAIN
DEVELOP EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION AND PERSIST
THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT. HEAVY RAIN IS ONCE AGAIN POSSIBLE...WHICH MAY
CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING...ESPECIALLY TO AREAS RECEIVING HEAVY RAIN
ON SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT.

THERE IS THE CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE REGION MONDAY NIGHT
AND TUESDAY...THEN AGAIN ON FRIDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED LATER THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT ACROSS THE AREA.

KELLENBENZ

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 21, 8:11 PM CDT, 1 hour 43 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
811 PM CDT SAT JUN 21 2003

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

0809 PM    BROCKET                   ND   1.00 INCH HAIL
06/21/03   RAMSEY                         REPORTED BY FIRE
                                          DEPARTMENT.

MML
Local storm report, Jun 21, 8:25 PM CDT, 1 hour 29 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
825 PM CDT SAT JUN 21 2003

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

0820 PM    DEVILS LAKE               ND   70 MPH WIND GUST
06/21/03   RAMSEY

0822 PM    DEVILS LAKE               ND   WIND DAMAGE
06/21/03   RAMSEY                         POWER OUTAGES REPORTED BY
                                          LAW ENFORCEMENT.

MML
Local storm report, Jun 21, 8:37 PM CDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
837 PM CDT SAT JUN 21 2003

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

0825 PM    LITCHVILLE                ND   60 MPH WIND GUST
06/21/03   BARNES                         REPORTED BY PUBLIC.

MML
Local storm report, Jun 21, 8:55 PM CDT, 59 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
855 PM CDT SAT JUN 21 2003

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

0845 PM    ORISKA                    ND   WIND DAMAGE
06/21/03   BARNES                         3 TREE LIMBS
                                          BROKENREPORTED BY PUBLIC.

MML
Local storm report, Jun 21, 9:20 PM CDT, 34 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
920 PM CDT SAT JUN 21 2003

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

0855 PM    FINLEY                    ND   .75 INCH HAIL
06/21/03   STEELE                         REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT.

MML
Local storm report, Jun 21, 9:47 PM CDT, 7 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
947 PM CDT SAT JUN 21 2003

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

0942 PM    GRAND FORKS               ND   67 MPH WIND GUST
06/21/03   GRAND FORKS                    REPORTED AT NWS FGF.

0945 PM    GRAND FORKS               ND   WIND DAMAGE
06/21/03   GRAND FORKS                    LARGE TREES DOWN. REPORTED
                                          BY OFF DUTY NWS EMPLOYEE.

NG

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 21, 9:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFPolk23 min
Jun 21, 10:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFPolk, Red Lake44 min
Jun 21, 10:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFPennington40 min
Jun 21, 10:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFPolk44 min
Jun 21, 10:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFMahnomen41 min
Jun 22, 5:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFGrant42 min
Jun 22, 6:03 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningFGFClay, Wilkin12 hr
Jun 22, 6:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFClearwater36 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Minnesota, 2003Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2003

Sources

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