Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 35, NWS Grand Forks, ND

July 11, 2008Clearwater County, Mahnomen County, Minnesota

NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this tornado warning at Jul 11, 2008, 3:34 PM CDT for Clearwater County, Mahnomen County, Minnesota. It was in force for 41 min. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 11, 2008, 3:34 PM CDT (20:34 UTC)
Expired
Jul 11, 2008, 4:15 PM CDT
In force
41 min
Issued by
NWS Grand Forks, ND
Area
Storm-based polygon
Emergency
Tornado emergency

Counties Clearwater County, MN, Mahnomen County, MN

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 134 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:35 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
Jul 11, 3:45 PM CDTTORNADO5 S Mahnomen, MNTORNADO OBSERVED MOVING ACROSS HIGHWAY 59 AND LIFTING ABOUT 5 NNE OF WAUBUN AROUND 349 PM CDT. TORNADO APPEARED TO PASS JUST SOUTH OF THE MAHNOMEN COUNTY AIRPORT.
Jul 11, 4:00 PM CDTTORNADO2 Se Beaulieu, MNTORNADO TRACKED TO THE NORTH NORTHEAST FOR ABOUT 13 MILES. NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER POLES WERE SNAPPED ALONG THE PATH. FARM SHEDS WERE BLOWN DOWN AND MACHINERY FLIPPED. THE TORNADO APPEARED TO HAVE LIFTED NEAR THE POLK COUNTY LINE ABOUT 2 MILES EAST OF SAND LA
Jul 11, 4:00 PM CDTTORNADO4 E Mahnomen, MN

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 11, 2:26 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

International Fa, MN (KINL), launched 12:00Z, 8.6 hours before the alert went out and 215 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, International Fa, MN at 12:00Z on 2008-07-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, International Fa, MN at 12:00Z on 2008-07-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 115 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1039 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
43 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
115 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
183 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS53 KFGF 112034
TORFGF
MNC029-087-112115-
/O.NEW.KFGF.TO.W.0035.080711T2034Z-080711T2115Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
334 PM CDT FRI JUL 11 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND FORKS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHERN CLEARWATER COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA...
  SOUTHERN MAHNOMEN COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA...

* UNTIL 415 PM CDT

* AT 330 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 4 MILES
  NORTHWEST OF WAUBUN...OR 29 MILES NORTH OF DETROIT                 
  LAKES...MOVING   TO THE NORTHEAST AT 32 MPH.  FUNNEL CLOUDS HAVE   
  BEEN REPORTED WITH THIS STORM. 

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  BEAULIEU AT 355 PM CDT...
  MAHKONCE AT 405 PM CDT...
  ROY LAKE AT 415 PM CDT...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO ABANDON CARS AND MOBILE HOMES
FOR A STURDY BUILDING.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING
FOR NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA AND EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA.

LAT...LON 4756 9525 4726 9522 4716 9604 4727 9605
TIME...MOT...LOC 2034Z 246DEG 28KT 4722 9597

$$

DTR
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS53 KFGF 112051
SVSFGF

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
351 PM CDT FRI JUL 11 2008

MNC029-087-112115-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-080711T2115Z/
MAHNOMEN MN-CLEARWATER MN-
350 PM CDT FRI JUL 11 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
CLEARWATER AND SOUTHERN MAHNOMEN COUNTIES...

AT 349 PM CDT...LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO. THE TORNADO WAS 
LOCATED JUST EAST OF HIGHWAY 59 ABOUT 1 MILES SOUTH OF MAHNOMEN.... 
OR 33 MILES NORTH OF DETROIT LAKES...MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT 31 
MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  BEAULIEU BY 355 PM CDT...
  7 MILES NORTHWEST OF NAYTAHWAUSH BY 405 PM CDT...
  MAHKONCE BY 410 PM CDT...
  PINE BEND...ROY LAKE AND 7 MILES WEST OF LOWER RICE LAKE BY 415 PM
  CDT...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO ABANDON CARS AND MOBILE HOMES
FOR A STURDY BUILDING.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING
FOR NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA AND EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA.

LAT...LON 4756 9525 4726 9522 4716 9604 4727 9605
TIME...MOT...LOC 2050Z 240DEG 27KT 4729 9585

$$

DTR
000 
WWUS53 KFGF 112059 RRA
SVSFGF

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
359 PM CDT FRI JUL 11 2008

MNC029-087-112115-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-080711T2115Z/
MAHNOMEN MN-CLEARWATER MN-
358 PM CDT FRI JUL 11 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
CLEARWATER AND SOUTHERN MAHNOMEN COUNTIES...

AT 353 PM CDT...LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO. THE TORNADO WAS
LOCATED 3 MILES WEST OF NAYTAHWAUSH...OR 32 MILES NORTH OF DETROIT 
LAKES...MOVING TO THE EAST AT 37 MPH. AT 357 PM CDT..LAW ENFORCEMENT 
REPORTED A LARGE TORNADO 3 MILES WEST OF NAYTAHWAUSH. PERSONS IN 
NAYTAHWAUSH SHOULD SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY. 

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  ROY LAKE BY 405 PM CDT...
  LOWER RICE LAKE BY 410 PM CDT...
  ZERKEL...7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF UPPER RICE LAKE AND 9 MILES SOUTHWEST
  OF ALIDA BY 415 PM CDT...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO ABANDON CARS AND MOBILE HOMES
FOR A STURDY BUILDING.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING
FOR NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA AND EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA.

LAT...LON 4756 9525 4726 9522 4716 9604 4727 9605
TIME...MOT...LOC 2058Z 251DEG 32KT 4727 9562

$$

DR/BB
000 
WWUS53 KFGF 112106
SVSFGF

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
406 PM CDT FRI JUL 11 2008

MNC029-087-112115-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-080711T2115Z/
MAHNOMEN MN-CLEARWATER MN-
404 PM CDT FRI JUL 11 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
CLEARWATER AND SOUTHERN MAHNOMEN COUNTIES...

AT 403 PM CDT...LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO. THE TORNADO WAS
LOCATED 2 MILES EAST OF BEAULIEU...OR 36 MILES NORTH OF DETROIT 
LAKES...MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT 36 MPH. LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS 
CONFIRMED A LARGE TORNADO JUST EAST OF BEAULIEU MOVING EAST. A 
TORNADO EMERGENCY IS IN EFFECT FOR MAHKONCE AND PINE BEND. PERSONS 
IN THESE COMMUNITIES SHOULD SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY. 

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  MAHKONCE BY 410 PM CDT...
  PINE BEND...ROY LAKE AND 7 MILES WEST OF LOWER RICE LAKE BY 415 PM
  CDT...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO ABANDON CARS AND MOBILE HOMES
FOR A STURDY BUILDING.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING
FOR NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA AND EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA.

LAT...LON 4756 9525 4726 9522 4716 9604 4727 9605
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 247DEG 31KT 4734 9574

$$

DR/BB

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 10, 10:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFOtter Tail, Wilkin67 min
Jul 10, 11:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFGrant, Otter Tail57 min
Jul 11, 5:01 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBeltrami, Lake of the Woods, Roseau59 min
Jul 11, 6:40 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFLake of the Woods, Roseau63 min
Jul 11, 8:37 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFLake of the Woods38 min
Jul 11, 9:10 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFMarshall, Pennington, Polk65 min
Jul 11, 2:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFMahnomen, Norman55 min
Jul 11, 3:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFMahnomen, Norman, Polk67 min
Jul 11, 3:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFKittson, Marshall, Roseau53 min
Jul 11, 3:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBecker, Otter Tail59 min
Jul 11, 3:37 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFClearwater, Polk38 min
Jul 11, 3:41 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFMarshall, Roseau64 min
Jul 11, 3:45 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFBeltrami, Clearwater, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake60 min
Jul 11, 3:46 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFBecker, Otter Tail59 min
Jul 11, 4:13 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFBecker40 min
Jul 11, 4:14 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFClearwater, Mahnomen, Polk61 min
Jul 11, 4:16 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFBeltrami, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Roseau59 min
Jul 11, 4:23 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFOtter Tail52 min
Jul 11, 4:40 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFClearwater, Polk44 min
Jul 11, 4:40 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFOtter Tail, Wadena41 min
Jul 11, 4:44 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFLake of the Woods, Roseau61 min
Jul 11, 5:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFHubbard, Wadena30 min
Jul 11, 5:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBeltrami, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington57 min
Jul 11, 5:17 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBecker, Hubbard, Otter Tail, Wadena31 min
Jul 11, 6:26 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFLake of the Woods21 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Minnesota, 2008Every tornado warning in 2008Tornadoes in 2008

Sources

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