Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2018

Tornado Warning 6, NWS Twin Cities, MN

August 3, 2018Kandiyohi County, Meeker County, Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this tornado warning at Aug 3, 2018, 6:34 PM CDT for Kandiyohi County, Meeker County, Minnesota. It was in force for 26 min. 6 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 3, 2018, 6:34 PM CDT (23:34 UTC)
Expired: Aug 3, 2018, 7:00 PM CDT
In force: 26 min
Issued by: NWS Twin Cities, MN
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Kandiyohi County, MN, Meeker County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 94 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:35 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 3, 6:34 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 Wnw Atwater, MN	EF0 TORNADO BEGAN NEAR ATWATER AND TRACKED EAST 11.2 MILES ALONG HIGHWAY 12 TO JUST NORTHWEST OF LITCHFIELD. MOSTLY TREE DAMAGE, BUT SOME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE ALSO OCCURRED. MAX WIND 80 MPH. STRAIGHT LINE WIND DAMAGE SOUTH OF THE TORNADO TRACK.
Aug 3, 6:39 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Atwater, MN	MULTIPLE TREES DOWN IN ATWATER. LAW ENFORCEMENT ALSO REPORTS POWER LINES DOWN AS WELL.
Aug 3, 6:40 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Grove City, MN	SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS ROOF DAMAGE AT HIGHWAY 12 AND 560TH. TIME ESTIMATED.
Aug 3, 6:42 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 E Grove City, MN	CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 1 E GROVE CITY. PHOTO ON TWITTER OF GARAGE DESTROYED. CAMPER TIPPED OVER, TREES DOWN.
Aug 3, 6:42 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 E Grove City, MN	PHOTO ON TWITTER OF DESTROYED BUILDING.
Aug 3, 7:02 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Forest City, MN	SEVERAL 6 INCH TREE LIMBS DOWN.

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, 11.6 hours before the alert went out and 91 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: 42 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -626 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 955 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 186 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 260 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 4.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

376 
WFUS53 KMPX 032334
TORMPX
MNC067-093-040000-
/O.NEW.KMPX.TO.W.0006.180803T2334Z-180804T0000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
634 PM CDT FRI AUG 3 2018

The National Weather Service in The Twin Cities has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Meeker County in central Minnesota...
  East central Kandiyohi County in central Minnesota...

* Until 700 PM CDT.
    
* At 633 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Atwater, or 12 miles east of Willmar, moving east
  at 35 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...
  Grove City around 645 PM CDT.
  Litchfield around 655 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Forest
City, Litchfield Airport and Darwin.

This includes U.S. Highway 12 between mile markers 84 and 107.
 
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 4511 9486 4519 9486 4528 9442 4508 9439
TIME...MOT...LOC 2333Z 265DEG 31KT 4515 9479 

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

$$

BORGHOFF

3 follow-up statements

467 
WWUS53 KMPX 032343
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
643 PM CDT FRI AUG 3 2018

MNC067-032353-
/O.CAN.KMPX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-180804T0000Z/
Kandiyohi MN-
643 PM CDT FRI AUG 3 2018

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

LAT...LON 4511 9475 4520 9476 4528 9442 4508 9439
TIME...MOT...LOC 2343Z 261DEG 33KT 4516 9467 

$$

MNC093-040000-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-180804T0000Z/
Meeker MN-
643 PM CDT FRI AUG 3 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
MEEKER COUNTY...
    
At 643 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Grove City, or 18 miles east of Willmar, moving east
at 40 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...
  Litchfield around 655 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Forest
City, Litchfield Airport and Darwin.

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.

If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.

&&

LAT...LON 4511 9475 4520 9476 4528 9442 4508 9439
TIME...MOT...LOC 2343Z 261DEG 33KT 4516 9467 

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

$$

BORGHOFF

801 
WWUS53 KMPX 032349
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
649 PM CDT FRI AUG 3 2018

MNC093-040000-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-180804T0000Z/
Meeker MN-
649 PM CDT FRI AUG 3 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
MEEKER COUNTY...
    
At 649 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Litchfield Airport, or 21 miles northwest of
Hutchinson, moving east at 45 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
central Meeker County, including the following locations... Forest
City, Litchfield Airport and Darwin.

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.

If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.

&&

LAT...LON 4510 9462 4522 9467 4528 9442 4508 9439
TIME...MOT...LOC 2349Z 261DEG 38KT 4517 9456 

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

$$

BORGHOFF

423 
WWUS53 KMPX 032358
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
658 PM CDT FRI AUG 3 2018

MNC093-040008-
/O.EXP.KMPX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-180804T0000Z/
Meeker MN-
658 PM CDT FRI AUG 3 2018

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL MEEKER COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 700
PM CDT...
    
The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been 
cancelled. However, damaging winds to 70 mph remain likely and a 
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.

LAT...LON 4510 9462 4522 9467 4528 9442 4508 9439
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 265DEG 31KT 4518 9446 

$$

BORGHOFF

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Aug 3, 7:37 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Meeker	38 min
Aug 3, 7:47 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Meeker	43 min
Aug 3, 8:12 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Wright	48 min
Aug 3, 8:51 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Ramsey	24 min
Aug 3, 8:54 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Hennepin	36 min
Aug 3, 9:10 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Dakota, Hennepin, Scott	35 min
Aug 3, 9:24 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Washington	36 min
Aug 3, 9:43 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Dakota, Goodhue, Washington	32 min
Aug 3, 10:36 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Todd	24 min
Aug 3, 11:36 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Kanabec, Mille Lacs	24 min
Aug 3, 12:02 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Kanabec, Mille Lacs	28 min
Aug 3, 1:09 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Kanabec, Mille Lacs	51 min
Aug 3, 2:13 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Kanabec	32 min
Aug 3, 4:21 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Stevens	39 min
Aug 3, 4:32 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Lac qui Parle	43 min
Aug 3, 4:41 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Lac qui Parle	49 min
Aug 3, 5:41 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Pope, Swift, Yellow Medicine	34 min
Aug 3, 6:04 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns, Swift	41 min
Aug 3, 6:28 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Kandiyohi, Meeker	47 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.