Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2018

Tornado Warning 10, NWS Twin Cities, MN

September 20, 2018Le Sueur County, Rice County, Waseca County, Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this tornado warning at Sep 20, 2018, 6:19 PM CDT for Le Sueur County, Rice County, Waseca County, Minnesota. It was in force for 41 min. 25 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
Sep 20, 2018, 6:19 PM CDT (23:19 UTC)
Expired
Sep 20, 2018, 7:00 PM CDT
In force
41 min
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

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

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:23 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
Sep 20, 6:19 PM CDTTORNADO1 Ne Smiths Mill, MNEF1 TORNADO TRACKED 6.8 MILES.
Sep 20, 6:20 PM CDTTORNADO2 S Elysian, MNHOUSE DAMAGED. RADAR DEBRIS SIGNATURE IN THE SAME AREA. TORNADO REPORTED VIA HAM RADIO.
Sep 20, 6:22 PM CDTTORNADO5 E Janesville, MNNARROW EF0 TRACK THROUGH CORN FOR 0.8 MILES.
Sep 20, 6:23 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGElysian, MNONE HALF OF A TREE SNAPPED. NO DIAMETER OR PHOTO PROVIDED.
Sep 20, 6:26 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG1 Ne Smiths Mill, MNPHONE CALL TO RELAY THAT A HOUSE WAS DESTROYED. NO PHOTO PROVIDED.
Sep 20, 6:26 PM CDTTORNADO2 Sw Waterville, MNEF1 TORNADO TRACKED 7.7 MILES NORTHEAST INTO WESTERN RICE COUNTY.
Sep 20, 6:30 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG1 E Waterville, MNTWEET WITH PHOTOS OF TREES DOWN AND MINOR DAMAGE TO WATERVILLE-ELYSIAN-MORRISTOWN HIGH SCHOOL.
Sep 20, 6:30 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG1 E Waterville, MNPHOTO RELAYED VIA TWITTER OF TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS ROAD.
Sep 20, 6:30 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGWaterville, MNNUMEROUS TREES DOWN AROUND WATERVILLE.
Sep 20, 6:32 PM CDTTORNADOMorristown, MNEF2 TORNADO TRACKED NORTHEAST 25.8 MILES. SEVERAL HOMES WERE DESTROYED IN SOUTHERN MORRISTOWN.
Sep 20, 6:35 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGMorristown, MNNUMEROUS TREES DOWN FROM MORRISTOWN TO WATERVILLE.
Sep 20, 6:38 PM CDTTORNADO6 Nne Morristown, MNEF1 TORNADO TRACKED NORTHEAST 7.7 MILES.
Sep 20, 6:39 PM CDTTORNADO6 Wnw Faribault, MNTORNADO SPUN UP 6 WNW FARIBAULT, TRACKED ACROSS ROBERDS LAKE AND I-35, BEFORE ENDING 5 N FARIBAULT. THE MOST EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OCCURRED ON THE EAST SIDE OF ROBERDS LAKE WHERE NUMEROUS HOMES, BOATS, AND TREES WERE DAMAGED. WITNESS STATED THE WATER WAS BEING BLOW
Sep 20, 6:42 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 1103 Nw Faribault, MNSEVERE THUNDERSTORM WINDS OCCURRED FROM ABOUT 4 NW OF MORRISTOWN EAST TO THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE NORTHWEST FARIBAULT TORNADO, (INCLUDING THE FARIBAULT AIRPORT AREA), TO CANNON FALLS. WINDS WERE MOST EXTREME NEAR THE AIRPORT WITH ESTIMATED SPEEDS AROUND 110 MP
Sep 20, 6:43 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG1 N Faribault, MNTWEET WITH PHOTOS OF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO METCON BUILDING AND SIGNIFICANT TREE DAMAGE NEARBY.
Sep 20, 6:43 PM CDTTORNADO1 Nw Faribault, MNSECOND-HAND RELAY FROM STORM SPOTTERS OF A TORNADO CROSSING I-35 NEAR FARIBAULT. NO PHOTO PROVIDED.
Sep 20, 6:43 PM CDTTORNADO6 Wsw Dundas, MNEF1 TORNADO TRACKED NORTHEAST 14.3 MILES.
Sep 20, 6:44 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGFaribault, MNCORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM FARIBAULT. PUBLIC REPORT OF NUMEROUS TREES DOWN IN FARIBAULT. MAXIMUM DIAMETER ESTIMATED TO BE 2 FEET. NO PHOTOS PROVIDED.
Sep 20, 6:45 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 Nw Faribault, MNSIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AT FARIBAULT AIRPORT. PLANES FLIPPED. OTHER DAMAGE REPORTS JUST COMING IN TO RICE COUNTY EM.
Sep 20, 6:48 PM CDTTORNADO3 Wsw Dundas, MNEF0 TORNADO TRACKED 3.8 MILES TO DUNDAS.
Sep 20, 6:50 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG2 Se Northfield, MNFROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED PHOTO OF DESTROYED RED BARN PIZZA PLACE.
Sep 20, 6:52 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 Nnw Dennison, MNFROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED FROM RELATIVES THAT A SHED HAD BLOWN AND LARGE TREES HAD BEEN BLOWN DOWN.
Sep 20, 6:52 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG4 W Dennison, MNFROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED FROM RELATIVES THAT MANY LARGE PINE TREES WERE DOWN AND A CAMPER WAS MOVED.
Sep 20, 6:53 PM CDTTORNADO2 E Northfield, MNEF1 TORNADO TRACKED EASTWARD 8.9 MILES.
Sep 20, 6:54 PM CDTTORNADO3 E Northfield, MNMPING REPORT OF A TORNADO.

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
Sep 20, 3:33 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC4 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 11.3 hours before the alert went out and 70 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 2018-09-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 18 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 2018-09-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 195 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
18 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-80 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
461 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
48 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
195 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
20 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

640 
WFUS53 KMPX 202319
TORMPX
MNC079-131-161-210000-
/O.NEW.KMPX.TO.W.0010.180920T2319Z-180921T0000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
619 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

The National Weather Service in The Twin Cities has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Le Sueur County in south central Minnesota...
  Rice County in south central Minnesota...
  Northern Waseca County in south central Minnesota...

* Until 700 PM CDT.
    
* At 619 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Janesville, or 13 miles east of Mankato, moving
  northeast at 65 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.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Waterville around 625 PM CDT.
  Morristown and Warsaw around 635 PM CDT.
  Faribault around 640 PM CDT.
  Northfield, Dundas and Nerstrand around 650 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Bridgewater, Ruskin, Faribault Airport, Kilkenny, Smiths Mill and
Greenland.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4421 9377 4447 9328 4447 9304 4426 9304
      4419 9331 4420 9340 4417 9341 4407 9376
      4408 9377
TIME...MOT...LOC 2319Z 238DEG 58KT 4414 9373 

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

$$

BORGHOFF
4 follow-up statements
592 
WWUS53 KMPX 202326
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
626 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

MNC079-131-161-210000-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-180921T0000Z/
Le Sueur MN-Rice MN-Waseca MN-
626 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN LE SUEUR...RICE AND NORTH CENTRAL WASECA COUNTIES...
    
At 626 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Waterville, or 17 miles west of Faribault, moving
northeast at 60 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.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Morristown and Warsaw around 635 PM CDT.
  Faribault around 640 PM CDT.
  Dundas around 650 PM CDT.
  Northfield and Nerstrand around 655 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Ruskin, Faribault Airport and Bridgewater.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4423 9371 4447 9328 4447 9304 4426 9304
      4422 9329 4420 9340 4415 9363
TIME...MOT...LOC 2326Z 237DEG 54KT 4421 9361 

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

$$

BORGHOFF
389 
WWUS53 KMPX 202331
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
631 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

MNC161-202341-
/O.CAN.KMPX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-180921T0000Z/
Waseca MN-
631 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL WASECA COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for south central
and southeastern Minnesota.

LAT...LON 4426 9364 4447 9328 4447 9304 4426 9304
      4420 9340 4419 9353 4420 9358
TIME...MOT...LOC 2331Z 238DEG 58KT 4425 9351 

$$

MNC079-131-210000-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-180921T0000Z/
Le Sueur MN-Rice MN-
631 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN LE SUEUR AND RICE COUNTIES...
        
At 631 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Waterville, or 11
miles west of Faribault, moving northeast at 65 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar 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...
  Warsaw around 635 PM CDT.
  Faribault around 640 PM CDT.
  Northfield, Dundas and Nerstrand around 650 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Ruskin, Faribault Airport and Bridgewater.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4426 9364 4447 9328 4447 9304 4426 9304
      4420 9340 4419 9353 4420 9358
TIME...MOT...LOC 2331Z 238DEG 58KT 4425 9351 

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

$$

BORGHOFF
574 
WWUS53 KMPX 202339
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
639 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

MNC079-202348-
/O.CAN.KMPX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-180921T0000Z/
Le Sueur MN-
639 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN LE SUEUR COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for south central
and southeastern Minnesota.

LAT...LON 4447 9328 4447 9304 4426 9304 4420 9338
      4426 9345 4435 9348
TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 238DEG 58KT 4432 9336 

$$

MNC131-210000-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-180921T0000Z/
Rice MN-
639 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR RICE
COUNTY...
        
At 638 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Faribault
Airport, or near Faribault, moving northeast at 65 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar 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...
  Northfield, Dundas and Nerstrand around 650 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Ruskin, Faribault Airport and Bridgewater.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4447 9328 4447 9304 4426 9304 4420 9338
      4426 9345 4435 9348
TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 238DEG 58KT 4432 9336 

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

$$

BORGHOFF
697 
WWUS53 KMPX 202352 RRA
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
652 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

MNC131-210000-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-180921T0000Z/
Rice MN-
652 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN RICE COUNTY...
        
At 652 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Dundas, or over
Northfield, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar 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
northeastern Rice County, including the following locations...
Bridgewater.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4431 9318 4445 9329 4447 9327 4447 9304
      4434 9304
TIME...MOT...LOC 2352Z 231DEG 48KT 4443 9318 

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

$$

BORGHOFF

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 20, 12:13 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXBrown, Nicollet32 min
Sep 20, 12:53 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXBrown37 min
Sep 20, 1:33 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXLe Sueur, Scott42 min
Sep 20, 1:49 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXDakota26 min
Sep 20, 2:07 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXRice, Washington38 min
Sep 20, 2:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXRamsey119 min
Sep 20, 2:46 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningMPXRedwood9 days
Sep 20, 3:00 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXYellow Medicine30 min
Sep 20, 3:24 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXRenville36 min
Sep 20, 4:50 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXRamsey85 min
Sep 20, 5:21 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXHennepin, Ramsey54 min
Sep 20, 5:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXBlue Earth, Faribault, Martin, Watonwan45 min
Sep 20, 5:51 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMPXCarver, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Sibley24 min
Sep 20, 5:54 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningMPXAnoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and 2 more3 hr
Sep 20, 5:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXBlue Earth, Faribault, Waseca46 min
Sep 20, 6:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXCarver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott47 min
Sep 20, 6:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXCarver15 min
Sep 20, 6:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXFreeborn, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele, Waseca52 min
Sep 20, 6:40 PM CDTTornado WarningMPXGoodhue, Rice, Steele35 min
Sep 20, 6:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXAnoka, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington34 min
Sep 20, 6:49 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedMPXDakota, Goodhue, Rice41 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Minnesota, 2018Every tornado warning in 2018Tornadoes 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.