Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2012

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 28, NWS Twin Cities, MN

May 2, 20124 counties in Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 2, 2012, 6:58 PM CDT for 4 counties in Minnesota. It was in force for 47 min. 11 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
May 2, 2012, 6:58 PM CDT (23:58 UTC)
Expired
May 2, 2012, 7:45 PM CDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Le Sueur County, MN, Rice County, MN, Steele County, MN, Waseca County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 75 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:00 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
May 2, 7:08 PM CDTHAIL 1.51 S Waterville, MN
May 2, 7:09 PM CDTHAIL 11 E Waterville, MN
May 2, 7:10 PM CDTHAIL 1.251 E Waterville, MN
May 2, 7:10 PM CDTHAIL 21 E Waterville, MN
May 2, 7:15 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 51Morristown, MNMEASURE AT EOC
May 2, 7:15 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 571 Nne Waseca, MN
May 2, 7:15 PM CDTHAIL 1Morristown, MNMEASURED AT EOC
May 2, 7:19 PM CDTHAIL 1Waseca, MN
May 2, 7:25 PM CDTHAIL 13 Nw Medford, MN
May 2, 7:29 PM CDTHAIL 1Warsaw, MN
May 2, 7:30 PM CDTHAIL 13 Nw Medford, 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
May 2, 5:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC4 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 12.0 hours before the alert went out and 76 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, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2012-05-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 4 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2012-05-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 144 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
4 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-280 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
847 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
59 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
144 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
109 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

684 
WUUS53 KMPX 022358
SVRMPX
MNC079-131-147-161-030045-
/O.NEW.KMPX.SV.W.0028.120502T2358Z-120503T0045Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
658 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE TWIN CITIES HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN LE SUEUR COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
  SOUTHWESTERN RICE COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
  NORTHWESTERN STEELE COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
  NORTHERN WASECA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

* UNTIL 745 PM CDT

* AT 656 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM...CAPABLE OF
  PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS OF 60 MPH. THIS
  STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR WATERVILLE...OR ABOUT 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF
  WASECA...AND MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  WASECA...
  WATERVILLE...
  MORRISTOWN...
  WARSAW...
  DEERFIELD...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH AND LARGE HAIL. SEEK SHELTER NOW
INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

&&

LAT...LON 4428 9335 4422 9314 4417 9328 4403 9318
      4407 9369 4427 9363
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 277DEG 24KT 4417 9358
WIND...HAIL 60MPH 1.00IN

$$
3 follow-up statements
133 
WWUS53 KMPX 030018
SVSMPX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
718 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2012

MNC079-131-147-161-030045-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0028.000000T0000Z-120503T0045Z/
LE SUEUR MN-RICE MN-STEELE MN-WASECA MN-
718 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHEASTERN
WASECA...NORTHWESTERN STEELE...SOUTHWESTERN RICE AND SOUTHEASTERN LE
SUEUR COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM CDT...

AT 714 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A SEVERE 
THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING HALF DOLLAR SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN 
EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MORRISTOWN...OR 9 
MILES NORTH OF WASECA...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  WARSAW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR 
DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...WHICH CAN SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGE WINDOWS...SIDING 
AND VEHICLES. DAMAGING WINDS ARE ALSO EXPECTED...WHICH CAN UPROOT 
TREES AND DOWN POWER LINES. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY 
STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL. SEEK SHELTER NOW
INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS!

&&

LAT...LON 4428 9335 4422 9314 4417 9328 4416 9366
      4427 9363
TIME...MOT...LOC 0018Z 277DEG 24KT 4421 9342
WIND...HAIL 60MPH 1.75IN

$$

JRB
369 
WWUS53 KMPX 030021
SVSMPX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
721 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2012

MNC079-131-147-161-030045-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0028.000000T0000Z-120503T0045Z/
LE SUEUR MN-RICE MN-STEELE MN-WASECA MN-
721 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHEASTERN
WASECA...NORTHWESTERN STEELE...SOUTHWESTERN RICE AND SOUTHEASTERN LE
SUEUR COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM CDT...

AT 719 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN 
EXCESS OF 60 MPH NEAR MORRISTOWN.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR 
MORRISTOWN...OR 9 MILES NORTHEAST OF WASECA...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF EXTREME SOUTHERN RICE AND NORTHWESTERN STEELE
  COUNTIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR 
DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...WHICH CAN SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGE WINDOWS...SIDING 
AND VEHICLES. DAMAGING WINDS ARE ALSO EXPECTED...WHICH CAN UPROOT 
TREES AND DOWN POWER LINES. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY 
STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL. SEEK SHELTER NOW
INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS!

&&

LAT...LON 4416 9358 4426 9359 4428 9335 4422 9314
      4417 9328
TIME...MOT...LOC 0021Z 277DEG 24KT 4420 9339
WIND...HAIL 60MPH 1.75IN

$$

JRB
948 
WWUS53 KMPX 030035
SVSMPX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
735 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2012

MNC079-161-030049-
/O.CAN.KMPX.SV.W.0028.000000T0000Z-120503T0045Z/
LE SUEUR MN-WASECA MN-
735 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2012

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN WASECA AND
SOUTHEASTERN LE SUEUR COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HASMOVED OUT OF THE WARNED AREA.

LAT...LON 4420 9341 4420 9347 4427 9347 4428 9335
      4422 9314 4417 9328 4417 9341
TIME...MOT...LOC 0034Z 277DEG 24KT 4418 9327

$$

MNC131-147-030045-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0028.000000T0000Z-120503T0045Z/
RICE MN-STEELE MN-
735 PM CDT WED MAY 2 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHWESTERN
STEELE AND SOUTH CENTRAL RICE COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM CDT...

AT 733 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN
EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MEDFORD...OR 7 MILES
NORTHWEST OF OWATONNA...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF EXTREME NORTHERN STEELE AND EXTREME SOUTHERN
  RICE COUNTIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS
STORM...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...WHICH CAN
SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGE WINDOWS...SIDING AND VEHICLES. DAMAGING WINDS
ARE ALSO EXPECTED...WHICH CAN UPROOT TREES AND DOWN POWER LINES. SEEK
SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL AND IS SHOWING 
ROTATION. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY 
FROM WINDOWS!

&&

LAT...LON 4420 9341 4420 9347 4427 9347 4428 9335
      4422 9314 4417 9328 4417 9341
TIME...MOT...LOC 0034Z 277DEG 24KT 4418 9327
WIND...HAIL 60MPH 1.75IN

$$

JRB

The office that day

Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 1, 7:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXSherburne, Stearns, Wright52 min
May 1, 7:23 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXIsanti, Kanabec52 min
May 1, 7:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXCarver, McLeod, Sibley51 min
May 1, 7:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXChisago, Isanti, Kanabec45 min
May 1, 7:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXAnoka50 min
May 1, 8:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXAnoka, Chisago, Isanti37 min
May 1, 8:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXBrown, Nicollet, Sibley66 min
May 1, 8:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXBrown, Redwood25 min
May 1, 9:24 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXNicollet, Sibley51 min
May 1, 10:11 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXBlue Earth, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet49 min
May 1, 11:12 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXFreeborn, Rice, Steele, Waseca48 min
May 2, 5:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXBlue Earth, Brown, Watonwan53 min
May 2, 5:50 PM CDTTornado WarningMPXBlue Earth, Brown, Nicollet, Watonwan40 min
May 2, 6:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXBlue Earth, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Waseca55 min
May 2, 6:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXGoodhue, Rice, Steele60 min
May 2, 6:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXBrown, Redwood60 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Minnesota, 2012Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2012

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.