Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2018

Tornado Warning 12, NWS Twin Cities, MN

September 20, 2018Dakota County, Goodhue County, Rice County, Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this tornado warning at Sep 20, 2018, 6:49 PM CDT for Dakota County, Goodhue County, Rice County, Minnesota. It was in force for 41 min. 20 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, 6:49 PM CDT (23:49 UTC)
Expired: Sep 20, 2018, 7:30 PM CDT
In force: 41 min
Issued by: NWS Twin Cities, MN
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Dakota County, MN, Goodhue County, MN, Rice County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 73 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:49 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
Sep 20, 6:50 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Se Northfield, MN	FROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED PHOTO OF DESTROYED RED BARN PIZZA PLACE.
Sep 20, 6:51 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	6 Wnw Randolph, MN	TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.
Sep 20, 6:52 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Nnw Dennison, MN	FROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED FROM RELATIVES THAT A SHED HAD BLOWN AND LARGE TREES HAD BEEN BLOWN DOWN.
Sep 20, 6:52 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	4 Ene Northfield, MN	FROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED FROM RELATIVES THAT A LARGE GRAIN LEG WAS DOWN AND BINS WERE DAMAGED.
Sep 20, 6:52 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	4 W Dennison, MN	FROM FACEBOOK, NWS EMPLOYEE RELAYED FROM RELATIVES THAT MANY LARGE PINE TREES WERE DOWN AND A CAMPER WAS MOVED.
Sep 20, 6:53 PM CDT	TORNADO	2 E Northfield, MN	EF1 TORNADO TRACKED EASTWARD 8.9 MILES.
Sep 20, 6:54 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 N Dennison, MN	RELAYED REPORT VIA NWSCHAT OF SEVERAL TREES SNAPPED AND CEMENT STAVE STYLE SILO BLOWN DOWN ON FARM. NO PHOTOS PROVIDED.
Sep 20, 6:54 PM CDT	TORNADO	3 E Northfield, MN	MPING REPORT OF A TORNADO.
Sep 20, 6:57 PM CDT	TORNADO	4 S Randolph, MN	GOODHUE COUNTY 911 CENTER REPORTS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AT STANTON AIRPORT. RADAR CONFIRMED A TORNADO IN THE AREA.
Sep 20, 6:59 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Randolph, MN	TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.
Sep 20, 7:00 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Hampton, MN	TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.
Sep 20, 7:01 PM CDT	TORNADO	2 Ssw Cannon Falls, MN	EF1 TORNADO TRACKED NORTHEAST 1.7 MILES ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CANNON FALLS.
Sep 20, 7:02 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Cannon Falls, MN	CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM CANNON FALLS. PHOTOS OF LARGE, HEALTHY TREES UPROOTED AND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO OUTBUILDINGS. RELAYED VIA TWITTER BY TV METEOROLOGIST.
Sep 20, 7:02 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Cannon Falls, MN	TWEET WITH PHOTOS SHOWING TREES DOWN ON ROADS AND HOUSES ONE MILE SOUTH OF MAYO HOSPITAL.
Sep 20, 7:02 PM CDT	TORNADO	3 Ene Randolph, MN	EF0 TORNADO TRACKED EASTWARD 3.5 MILES ON THE NORTH SIDE OF CANNON FALLS.
Sep 20, 7:03 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Cannon Falls, MN	MANY TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. POSSIBLY A CONTINUATION OF THE TORNADO TO THE SOUTHWEST.
Sep 20, 7:05 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Cannon Falls, MN	NUMEROUS TREES DOWN. POWER OUT IN CANNON FALLS.
Sep 20, 7:15 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	7 Nw Red Wing, MN	SOME TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN AROUND PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN COMMUNITY.
Sep 20, 7:17 PM CDT	TORNADO	7 Ene Miesville, MN	EF0 TORNADO TRACKED 3.9 MILES FROM NEAR PRAIRIE ISLAND EAST ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF DIAMOND BLUFF, WI.
Sep 20, 7:20 PM CDT	TSTM WND GST 63	6 E Miesville, MN	MESONET STATION MN047, RED WING 4W.

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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Sep 20, 3:33 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	4 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 75 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: 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.

744 
WFUS53 KMPX 202349
TORMPX
MNC037-049-131-210030-
/O.NEW.KMPX.TO.W.0012.180920T2349Z-180921T0030Z/

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

The National Weather Service in The Twin Cities has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Dakota County in east central Minnesota...
  Northern Goodhue County in southeastern Minnesota...
  Northeastern Rice County in south central Minnesota...

* Until 730 PM CDT.
    
* At 649 PM CDT, tornado producing storms were located along a line
  extending from Bridgewater to near Ruskin, moving northeast at 70
  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.

* These tornadic storms will be near...
  Stanton around 700 PM CDT.
  Cannon Falls around 705 PM CDT.
  Red Wing, Prescott and Welch around 715 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by these tornadic storms include Vasa,
Wacouta, Frontenac State Park, Wastedo, Miesville, Hampton, Lake
Byllesby, Randolph, New Trier and Diamond Bluff.

This includes Treasure Island Casino.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4449 9325 4475 9281 4472 9273 4466 9264
      4464 9262 4462 9262 4460 9256 4457 9255
      4456 9235 4454 9231 4433 9304
TIME...MOT...LOC 2349Z 235DEG 61KT 4442 9323 4429 9310 

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

$$

BORGHOFF

2 follow-up statements

971 
WWUS53 KMPX 210002
SVSMPX

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

MNC131-210012-
/O.CAN.KMPX.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-180921T0030Z/
Rice MN-
702 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN RICE 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 southeastern
and east central Minnesota. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect
until midnight CDT for west central Wisconsin.

LAT...LON 4459 9308 4475 9281 4472 9273 4466 9264
      4464 9262 4462 9262 4460 9256 4457 9255
      4456 9235 4454 9231 4437 9290 4448 9304
TIME...MOT...LOC 0002Z 245DEG 58KT 4452 9295 

$$

MNC037-049-210030-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-180921T0030Z/
Dakota MN-Goodhue MN-
702 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA AND CENTRAL GOODHUE COUNTIES...
        
At 702 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Lake Byllesby, or
11 miles northeast of Northfield, 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...
  Welch around 715 PM CDT.
  Red Wing around 720 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Vasa,
Wacouta, Frontenac State Park, Wastedo, Miesville, Hampton, Lake
Byllesby, Randolph, New Trier and Diamond Bluff.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4459 9308 4475 9281 4472 9273 4466 9264
      4464 9262 4462 9262 4460 9256 4457 9255
      4456 9235 4454 9231 4437 9290 4448 9304
TIME...MOT...LOC 0002Z 245DEG 58KT 4452 9295 

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

$$

BORGHOFF

815 
WWUS53 KMPX 210016
SVSMPX

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

MNC037-049-210030-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-180921T0030Z/
Dakota MN-Goodhue MN-
716 PM CDT THU SEP 20 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL DAKOTA AND NORTHEASTERN GOODHUE COUNTIES...
    
At 716 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Diamond Bluff, or 9 miles northwest of Red Wing,
moving northeast at 70 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 tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
east central Dakota and northeastern Goodhue Counties, including the
following locations... Frontenac State Park, Wacouta and Diamond
Bluff.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4447 9255 4458 9275 4468 9283 4473 9275
      4472 9273 4466 9264 4464 9262 4462 9262
      4460 9256 4457 9255 4456 9235 4454 9231
TIME...MOT...LOC 0016Z 235DEG 61KT 4466 9267 

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

$$

BORGHOFF

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Sep 20, 12:13 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Brown, Nicollet	32 min
Sep 20, 12:53 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Brown	37 min
Sep 20, 1:33 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Le Sueur, Scott	42 min
Sep 20, 1:49 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Dakota	26 min
Sep 20, 2:07 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Rice, Washington	38 min
Sep 20, 2:31 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Ramsey	119 min
Sep 20, 2:46 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	MPX	Redwood	9 days
Sep 20, 3:00 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Yellow Medicine	30 min
Sep 20, 3:24 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Renville	36 min
Sep 20, 4:50 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Ramsey	85 min
Sep 20, 5:21 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Hennepin, Ramsey	54 min
Sep 20, 5:30 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Blue Earth, Faribault, Martin, Watonwan	45 min
Sep 20, 5:51 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Carver, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Sibley	24 min
Sep 20, 5:54 PM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	MPX	Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and 2 more	3 hr
Sep 20, 5:59 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Blue Earth, Faribault, Waseca	46 min
Sep 20, 6:13 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott	47 min
Sep 20, 6:15 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Carver	15 min
Sep 20, 6:19 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MPX	Le Sueur, Rice, Waseca	41 min
Sep 20, 6:23 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Freeborn, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele, Waseca	52 min
Sep 20, 6:40 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MPX	Goodhue, Rice, Steele	35 min
Sep 20, 6:41 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Anoka, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington	34 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Minnesota, 2018 Every tornado warning in 2018 Tornadoes 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.