Alert archive / Minnesota / Flash Flood Watches in 2018

Flash Flood Watch 7, NWS Twin Cities, MN

September 4, 201813 counties in Minnesota; 7 counties in Wisconsin

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this flash flood watch at Sep 4, 2018, 3:15 AM CDT for 13 counties in Minnesota; 7 counties in Wisconsin. It took effect at Sep 4, 2018, 10:00 AM CDT. It was in force for 18 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Sep 4, 2018, 3:15 AM CDT (08:15 UTC)
In effect from
Sep 4, 2018, 10:00 AM CDT
Expired
Sep 5, 2018, 4:00 AM CDT
In force
18 hr
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN
Flood severity
None

Counties Blue Earth County, MN, Brown County, MN, Dakota County, MN, Faribault County, MN, Freeborn County, MN, Goodhue County, MN, Le Sueur County, MN, Martin County, MN, Nicollet County, MN, Rice County, MN, Steele County, MN, Waseca County, MN, Watonwan County, MN, Chippewa County, WI, Dunn County, WI, Eau Claire County, WI, Pepin County, WI, Pierce County, WI, Rusk County, WI, Saint Croix County, WI

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:17 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 65 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 00:00Z on 2018-09-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 55 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 00:00Z on 2018-09-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 5 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
55 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-10 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
600 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
13 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
5 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
7 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

383 
WGUS63 KMPX 040815
FFAMPX

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
315 AM CDT Tue Sep 4 2018

...TORRENTIAL RAINFALL MAY LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING TODAY AND
TONIGHT...

.Showers and thunderstorms will grow in coverage through the day.
By late this afternoon and evening, a concentrated area of heavy
rain and thunderstorms will develop from south central Minnesota
into west central Wisconsin. Thunderstorms will likely train over
the same areas for at least a few hours, leading to rapid
accumulation of rainfall. Rainfall totals over 6 inches are
possible where these thunderstorms anchor themselves. The area of
greatest threat will become clearer as the day progresses, but 
all areas within the Flash Flood Watch have a high likelihood of 
2 to 4 inches through tonight, which may also lead to flash
flooding. 

MNZ076-082>084-091-092-041800-
/O.NEW.KMPX.FF.A.0007.180904T1500Z-180905T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Le Sueur-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Martin-Faribault-
Including the cities of Le Sueur, St James, Mankato, Waseca, 
Fairmont, and Blue Earth
315 AM CDT Tue Sep 4 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM CDT THIS MORNING
THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued
a

* Flash Flood Watch for a portion of south central Minnesota, 
  including the following areas, Blue Earth, Faribault, Le 
  Sueur, Martin, Waseca, and Watonwan. 

* From 10 AM CDT this morning through late tonight.

* Widespread 2 to 4 inches are expected, with localized totals
  over 6 inches possible. 

* Rapid rises in rivers and streams, washed out roadways, urban 
  flooding, and low lying flooding are possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
NEVER drive through flooded areas. 

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

MNZ070-077-078-085-093-WIZ016-023>028-041800-
/O.NEW.KMPX.FF.A.0007.180904T2100Z-180905T0900Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Dakota-Rice-Goodhue-Steele-Freeborn-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-
Pepin-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Hastings, Faribault, Red Wing, Owatonna, 
Albert Lea, Ladysmith, Hudson, River Falls, Prescott, Menomonie, 
Durand, Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire
315 AM CDT Tue Sep 4 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE
TONIGHT...

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued
a

* Flash Flood Watch for portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin, 
  including the following areas, in Minnesota, Dakota, Freeborn, 
  Goodhue, Rice, and Steele. In Wisconsin, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau 
  Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Rusk, and St. Croix. 

* From this afternoon through late tonight

* Widespread 2 to 4 inches are expected, with localized totals
  over 6 inches possible. 

* Rapid rises in rivers and streams, washed out roadways, urban
  flooding, and low lying flooding are possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. 
NEVER drive through flooded areas. 

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

Borghoff
4 follow-up statements
273 
WGUS63 KMPX 041627
FFAMPX

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1127 AM CDT Tue Sep 4 2018

...TORRENTIAL RAINFALL MAY LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING TODAY AND
TONIGHT...

.Showers and thunderstorms will grow in coverage through the
afternoon. By late afternoon and evening, a concentrated area of 
heavy rain and thunderstorms will develop from south central 
Minnesota into west central Wisconsin. Thunderstorms will likely 
train over the same areas for at least a few hours, leading to 
rapid accumulation of rainfall. Areas within the Flash Flood Watch 
have a high likelihood of 2 to 4 inches of rain through tonight, 
which may result in flash flooding. Localized rainfall amounts 
exceeding 6 inches are also possible where training thunderstorms
become anchored this evening.

MNZ074-075-050030-
/O.EXA.KMPX.FF.A.0007.000000T0000Z-180905T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Brown-Nicollet-
Including the cities of New Ulm and St Peter
1127 AM CDT Tue Sep 4 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has
expanded the

* Flash Flood Watch to include a portion of south central 
  Minnesota, including the following areas, Brown and Nicollet. 

* Through late tonight

* Widespread 2 to 4 inches are expected, with localized totals 
  over 6 inches possible. 

* Rapid rises in rivers and streams, washed out roadways, urban 
  flooding, and low lying flooding are possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
NEVER drive through flooded areas.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

MNZ076-082>084-091-092-050030-
/O.CON.KMPX.FF.A.0007.000000T0000Z-180905T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Le Sueur-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Martin-Faribault-
Including the cities of Le Sueur, St James, Mankato, Waseca, 
Fairmont, and Blue Earth
1127 AM CDT Tue Sep 4 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* A portion of south central Minnesota, including the following 
  areas, Blue Earth, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Waseca, and 
  Watonwan. 

* Through late tonight

* Widespread 2 to 4 inches are expected, with localized totals 
  over 6 inches possible. 

* Rapid rises in rivers and streams, washed out roadways, urban 
  flooding, and low lying flooding are possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
NEVER drive through flooded areas.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

MNZ070-077-078-085-093-WIZ016-023>028-050030-
/O.CON.KMPX.FF.A.0007.180904T2100Z-180905T0900Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Dakota-Rice-Goodhue-Steele-Freeborn-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-
Pepin-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Hastings, Faribault, Red Wing, Owatonna, 
Albert Lea, Ladysmith, Hudson, River Falls, Prescott, Menomonie, 
Durand, Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire
1127 AM CDT Tue Sep 4 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM CDT THIS
AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin, including the following 
  areas, in Minnesota, Dakota, Freeborn, Goodhue, Rice, and 
  Steele. In Wisconsin, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, 
  Pierce, Rusk, and St. Croix. 

* From 4 PM CDT this afternoon through late tonight

* Widespread 2 to 4 inches are expected, with localized totals 
  over 6 inches possible. 

* Rapid rises in rivers and streams, washed out roadways, urban 
  flooding, and low lying flooding are possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
NEVER drive through flooded areas.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$
924 
WGUS63 KMPX 050141
FFAMPX

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
841 PM CDT Tue Sep 4 2018

...RAINFALL OVERNIGHT MAY LEAD TO FLOODING...

.Most of the heavy rain has ended, but a steady rain will continue
and could put down another 1 to 2 inches. This could lead to
flooding across southern and eastern Minnesota and western
Wisconsin. Remember, do not drive through flood waters.

MNZ074>076-082>084-091-092-050600-
/O.CON.KMPX.FF.A.0007.000000T0000Z-180905T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Martin-
Faribault-
Including the cities of New Ulm, St Peter, Le Sueur, St James, 
Mankato, Waseca, Fairmont, and Blue Earth
841 PM CDT Tue Sep 4 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT WEDNESDAY...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* A portion of south central Minnesota, including the following 
  areas, Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, 
  Nicollet, Waseca, and Watonwan. 

* Until 1 AM CDT Wednesday

* An additional 1 to 2 inches are possible. 

* Rapid rises in rivers and streams, washed out roadways, urban 
  flooding, and low lying flooding are possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
NEVER drive through flooded areas.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

MNZ070-077-078-085-093-WIZ016-023>028-050900-
/O.CON.KMPX.FF.A.0007.000000T0000Z-180905T0900Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Dakota-Rice-Goodhue-Steele-Freeborn-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-
Pepin-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Hastings, Faribault, Red Wing, Owatonna, 
Albert Lea, Ladysmith, Hudson, River Falls, Prescott, Menomonie, 
Durand, Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire
841 PM CDT Tue Sep 4 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM CDT WEDNESDAY...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin, including the following 
  areas, in Minnesota, Dakota, Freeborn, Goodhue, Rice, and 
  Steele. In Wisconsin, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, 
  Pierce, Rusk, and St. Croix. 

* Until 4 AM CDT Wednesday

* An additional 1 to 2 inches are possible.  

* Rapid rises in rivers and streams, washed out roadways, urban 
  flooding, and low lying flooding are possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
NEVER drive through flooded areas.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

jrb
601 
WGUS63 KMPX 050559
FFAMPX

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1259 AM CDT Wed Sep 5 2018

...RAINFALL DECREASING BUT RUNOFF CONTINUING...

.All of the heavy rain has ended, but runoff will continue 
overnight, and through Wednesday. This will lead to flooding of
low lying areas, creeks, streams and rivers across portions of 
southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Remember, do not drive 
through flood waters.

MNZ074>076-082>084-091-092-050700-
/O.EXP.KMPX.FF.A.0007.000000T0000Z-180905T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Martin-
Faribault-
Including the cities of New Ulm, St Peter, Le Sueur, St James, 
Mankato, Waseca, Fairmont, and Blue Earth
1259 AM CDT Wed Sep 5 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH WILL EXPIRE AT 1 AM CDT EARLY THIS MORNING...

The Flash Flood Watch for a portion of south central Minnesota
will expire at 1 AM CDT early this morning. 

$$

MNZ070-077-078-085-093-WIZ016-023>028-050900-
/O.CON.KMPX.FF.A.0007.000000T0000Z-180905T0900Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Dakota-Rice-Goodhue-Steele-Freeborn-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-
Pepin-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Hastings, Faribault, Red Wing, Owatonna, 
Albert Lea, Ladysmith, Hudson, River Falls, Prescott, Menomonie, 
Durand, Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire
1259 AM CDT Wed Sep 5 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM CDT EARLY THIS
MORNING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin, including the following 
  areas, in Minnesota, Dakota, Freeborn, Goodhue, Rice, and 
  Steele. In Wisconsin, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, 
  Pierce, Rusk, and St. Croix. 

* Until 4 AM CDT early this morning

* An additional 0.25 to 0.50 are possible.

* Rapid rises in rivers and streams, washed out roadways, urban 
  flooding, and low lying flooding are possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
NEVER drive through flooded areas.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$
184 
WGUS63 KMPX 050836
FFAMPX

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
336 AM CDT Wed Sep 5 2018

MNZ070-077-078-085-093-WIZ016-023>028-050945-
/O.EXP.KMPX.FF.A.0007.000000T0000Z-180905T0900Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Dakota-Rice-Goodhue-Steele-Freeborn-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-
Pepin-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Hastings, Faribault, Red Wing, Owatonna, 
Albert Lea, Ladysmith, Hudson, River Falls, Prescott, Menomonie, 
Durand, Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire
336 AM CDT Wed Sep 5 2018

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH WILL EXPIRE AT 4 AM CDT EARLY THIS MORNING...

The Flash Flood Watch for portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin
will expire at 4 AM CDT early this morning. 

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 4, 2:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXFreeborn30 min
Sep 4, 3:29 PM CDTTornado WarningMPXSteele31 min
Sep 4, 5:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXFreeborn65 min
Sep 4, 6:10 PM CDTTornado WarningMPXFreeborn35 min
Sep 4, 4:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXEau Claire30 min
Sep 4, 5:05 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXEau Claire25 min
Sep 4, 6:49 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXEau Claire56 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Watches in Minnesota, 2018Flash Flood Watches in Wisconsin, 2018Every flash flood watch in 2018

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.