Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2017

Tornado Warning 35, NWS Twin Cities, MN

August 16, 2017Sibley County, Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this tornado warning at Aug 16, 2017, 5:35 PM CDT for Sibley County, Minnesota. It was in force for 55 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: Aug 16, 2017, 5:35 PM CDT (22:35 UTC)
Expired: Aug 16, 2017, 6:30 PM CDT
In force: 55 min
Issued by: NWS Twin Cities, MN
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Hail: 0.75 in

County Sibley County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:37 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Aug 16, 6:17 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 Wnw Gaylord, MN	TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED RAIN WRAPPED TORNADO CROSSING HWY 19 ONE MILE WEST OF GAYLORD, MOVING NNW.
Aug 16, 6:26 PM CDT	TORNADO	4 Ene Winthrop, MN	TORNADO DEVELOPED 4 NNE OF WINTHROP AND TRACKED ABOUT 1/4 MILE TO THE NNW. IT FLATTENED SOME CORN AND UPROOTED AND DAMAGED TREES. MAX WIND SPEED 80 MPH.
Aug 16, 6:33 PM CDT	TORNADO	3 Nne Winthrop, MN	A TORNADO DEVELOPED 3 MILES NNE OF WINTHROP AND FLATTENED CORN BEFORE DESTROYING A STRUCTURALLY COMPROMISED BARN AND PRODUCING SOME TREE DAMAGE. ESTIMATED WIND SPEED 80 MPH.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 10.6 hours before the alert went out and 59 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 81 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -110 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 638 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 23 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 215 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 208 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

819 
WFUS53 KMPX 162235
TORMPX
MNC143-162330-
/O.NEW.KMPX.TO.W.0035.170816T2235Z-170816T2330Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
535 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

The National Weather Service in The Twin Cities has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  South central Sibley County in central Minnesota...

* Until 630 PM CDT

* At 535 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near New Sweden, or
  14 miles northeast of New Ulm, moving north at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado. 

  SOURCE...Law enforcement confirmed tornado. 

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely. 

* The tornado will be near...
  Gaylord around 600 PM CDT. 
  Arlington around 615 PM CDT. 

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include New
Sweden and New Rome.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4446 9410 4446 9430 4463 9439 4463 9404
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 181DEG 17KT 4442 9421 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

BORGHOFF

6 follow-up statements

211 
WWUS53 KMPX 162241
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
541 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

MNC143-162330-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-170816T2330Z/
Sibley MN-
541 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL SIBLEY COUNTY...
    
At 541 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over New Sweden, or 15 miles northeast of New Ulm, moving
north at 20 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado. 

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. 

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible. 

The tornado will be near...
  Gaylord around 600 PM CDT. 
  Arlington around 615 PM CDT. 

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include New
Sweden and New Rome.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A large and extremely dangerous tornado is on the ground. Take 
immediate tornado precautions. this is an emergency situation.

&&

LAT...LON 4446 9410 4446 9430 4463 9439 4463 9404
TIME...MOT...LOC 2241Z 181DEG 17KT 4445 9421 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

BORGHOFF

412 
WWUS53 KMPX 162252
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
552 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

MNC143-162330-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-170816T2330Z/
Sibley MN-
552 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL SIBLEY COUNTY...
    
At 552 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over New Sweden, or 15
miles northeast of New Ulm, moving northwest at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado. 

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

This tornado will be near...
  Gaylord around 600 PM CDT. 

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include New
Sweden.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4446 9415 4446 9430 4463 9439 4463 9404
TIME...MOT...LOC 2252Z 139DEG 14KT 4448 9426 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

BORGHOFF

739 
WWUS53 KMPX 162301
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
601 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

MNC143-162330-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-170816T2330Z/
Sibley MN-
601 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL SIBLEY COUNTY...
    
At 601 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Winthrop, or 16
miles northeast of New Ulm, moving northwest at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado. 

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
south central Sibley County, including the following locations: New
Sweden.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4446 9419 4446 9430 4463 9439 4463 9414
TIME...MOT...LOC 2301Z 126DEG 16KT 4452 9430 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

BORGHOFF

972 
WWUS53 KMPX 162311
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
611 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

MNC143-162330-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-170816T2330Z/
Sibley MN-
611 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL SIBLEY COUNTY...
    
At 610 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes 
were located along a line extending from Winthrop to near Gaylord, 
moving northwest at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado. 

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

These tornadic storms will remain over mainly rural areas of south
central Sibley County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4446 9419 4446 9430 4463 9439 4463 9414
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 128DEG 15KT 4453 9434 4451 9423 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

BORGHOFF

157 
WWUS53 KMPX 162319
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
619 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

MNC143-162330-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-170816T2330Z/
Sibley MN-
619 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
SIBLEY COUNTY...
    
At 618 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Gaylord, or 19
miles northeast of New Ulm, moving northwest at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado. 

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. At 518 pm, a tornado 
         was reported crossing highway 19 about 1 mile west of 
         Gaylord. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
central Sibley County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4450 9418 4450 9432 4463 9439 4463 9414
TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 141DEG 14KT 4454 9426 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

BORGHOFF

736 
WWUS53 KMPX 162321 CCA
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
621 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

MNC143-162330-
/O.COR.KMPX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-170816T2330Z/
Sibley MN-
621 PM CDT WED AUG 16 2017

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
SIBLEY COUNTY...
    
At 620 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Gaylord, or 18
miles northeast of New Ulm, moving northwest at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado. 

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. At 618 pm, a tornado 
         was reported crossing highway 19 about 1 mile west of 
         Gaylord. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

Locations impacted include...
Gaylord.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4450 9418 4450 9432 4463 9439 4463 9414
TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 141DEG 14KT 4454 9426 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

BORGHOFF

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Aug 16, 4:37 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MPX	Blue Earth, Nicollet	23 min
Aug 16, 5:09 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MPX	Nicollet, Sibley	36 min
Aug 16, 5:14 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	MPX	Nicollet	46 min
Aug 16, 6:05 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	MPX	Sibley	40 min
Aug 16, 6:29 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MPX	McLeod, Sibley	46 min
Aug 16, 6:31 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MPX	Le Sueur, Rice	44 min
Aug 16, 6:41 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MPX	Sibley	38 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Minnesota, 2017 Every tornado warning in 2017 Tornadoes in 2017

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.