Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2019

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 111, NWS Grand Forks, ND

July 9, 2019Otter Tail County, Wadena County, Minnesota

NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 9, 2019, 9:13 PM CDT for Otter Tail County, Wadena County, Minnesota. It was in force for 27 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued: Jul 9, 2019, 9:13 PM CDT (02:13 UTC)
Expired: Jul 9, 2019, 9:40 PM CDT
In force: 27 min
Issued by: NWS Grand Forks, ND
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Otter Tail County, MN, Wadena County, MN

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 206 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:13 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 2.2 hours before the alert went out and 217 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: 398 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -55 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 890 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 40 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 133 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 148 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.2
Supercell composite: 5.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

250 
WUUS53 KFGF 100213
SVRFGF
MNC111-159-100300-
/O.NEW.KFGF.SV.W.0111.190710T0213Z-190710T0300Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
913 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Wadena County in central Minnesota...
  Northeastern Otter Tail County in west central Minnesota...

* Until 1000 PM CDT.

* At 913 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Bluffton, or
  36 miles southeast of Detroit Lakes, moving east at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 
           to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Wadena, New York Mills, Sebeka, Verndale, Deer Creek, Bluffton and
  Nimrod.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4638 9522 4638 9536 4658 9545 4673 9479
      4664 9479 4663 9478 4640 9478
TIME...MOT...LOC 0213Z 253DEG 27KT 4649 9523 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

Lynch

2 follow-up statements

682 
WWUS53 KFGF 100228
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
928 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

MNC111-100238-
/O.CAN.KFGF.SV.W.0111.000000T0000Z-190710T0300Z/
Otter Tail MN-
928 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN OTTER TAIL COUNTY
IS CANCELLED...
    
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of 
the warned area, therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

LAT...LON 4638 9515 4660 9515 4664 9517 4673 9479
      4664 9479 4663 9478 4640 9478
TIME...MOT...LOC 0228Z 253DEG 27KT 4652 9507 

$$

MNC159-100300-
/O.CON.KFGF.SV.W.0111.000000T0000Z-190710T0300Z/
Wadena MN-
928 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT
FOR WADENA COUNTY...

At 928 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Blue Grass, or
41 miles southeast of Detroit Lakes, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Wadena, Sebeka, Verndale, Nimrod, Blue Grass and Oylen. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4638 9515 4660 9515 4664 9517 4673 9479
      4664 9479 4663 9478 4640 9478
TIME...MOT...LOC 0228Z 253DEG 27KT 4652 9507 

HAIL...<.75IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

Lynch

881 
WWUS53 KFGF 100240
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
940 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

MNC159-100250-
/O.CAN.KFGF.SV.W.0111.000000T0000Z-190710T0300Z/
Wadena MN-
940 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WADENA COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer pose an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.

LAT...LON 4638 9515 4660 9515 4664 9517 4673 9479
      4664 9479 4663 9478 4640 9478
TIME...MOT...LOC 0240Z 253DEG 27KT 4655 9494 

$$

Lynch

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Grand Forks, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 9, 6:55 PM CDT, 2 hours 18 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 9, 6:55 PM CDT, 2 hours 18 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
655 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

.UPDATE...
Issued at 655 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

Adjustments made to reflect current trends in shower/thunderstorm
activity. Radar has been deceptive to to very moist/warm rain
process with even light returns associated with moderate to
sometimes heavy rainfall in our north. This is transition north
and east, but clusters of showers/storms filling in in our
souther CWA. Lull still expected across our south, later this
evening with loss of daytime heating/favorable lapse rates in
those areas. Better forcing still lingers north ahead of
deformation zone overnight some northern locations may continue to
have at least scattered showers through the evening. Deformation
zone then tracks west to east overnight into Wed morning, with
period of widespread rain/embedded thunder north of Highway 200.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday)
Issued at 307 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

Area of showers will continue to move northward through the
region. Most areas have received 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain from
this recent period of rain. Not much if any lightning with this
activity.

The southern parts of the region are drying, with satellite
showing a few breaks in the clouds. This brings up the next
concern of storms across the southern forecast area. MLCAPE
1000-1500 J/KG along a surface boundary with adequate low level
vorticity and effective shear around 30 knots. An ideal low topped
supercell environment (see mesoscale discussion issued earlier).

Tonight-Wednesday...Upper level low propagates eastward.
Anticipate deformation band rain showers to move through the
region by late tonight and into Wednesday, along with gusty
northerly winds. High pressure moves in by later in the day on
Wednesday.

.LONG TERM...(Thursday through Tuesday)
Issued at 307 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

Return flow on Thursday will bring warmer temperatures and
increasing moisture again as surface high pressure retreats over
Wisconsin. Expect breezy conditions as the pressure gradient begins
to tighten up. Otherwise...some shower and storm activity will
trigger ahead of the system. Behind the system...winds will become
more northerly but only expecting slight cooling.

Friday through Sunday will see a more progressive pattern as the
mean jet position lays along the international border. A series of
impulses will traverse the flow and bring additional chances for
light precipitation.

The next significant system to cross the region is forecast to be
late Sunday into early Monday. Temperatures will rebound to above
seasonal norms...with another batch of precipitation to accompany
it...to end the period.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday evening)
Issued at 655 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

Cluster of thunderstorms tracking east of KFAR with additional
activity possibly developing west. Better coverage of showers
along/north of Highway 2 in MN and north central ND. Eventually
this evening activity in the south should end, but terminals along
Highway 2 may still have vicinity showers through most of the TAF
period. Next period of widespread showers will be after 08Z in ND
and 12Z in MN. MVFR CIGS lingering across parts of the region,
and while periods of VFR possible through tonight, best chance for
prolonged prevailing VFR conditions won't be until late Wed
afternoon as system begins to move east of the region.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...None.
MN...None.
&&

UPDATE...DJR
SHORT TERM...TG
LONG TERM...Hopkins
AVIATION...DJR

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 9, 3:41 PM CDT, 5 hours 32 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
341 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-
026>030-038-039-049-052>054-101215-
West Polk-Norman-Clay-Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-
West Marshall-East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake-
East Polk-North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen-
South Clearwater-Hubbard-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin-
West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-Towner-Cavalier-
Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh County-Eddy-Nelson-
Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-
Richland-Western Walsh County-
341 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North
Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Isolated severe thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening
across southeast North Dakota and adjacent portions of Minnesota.
Threats include hail up to 1.5 inches and wind gusts to 60 mph. A
tornado is also possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

The next main chances of thunderstorms will occur Thursday
evening and again next Monday. The atmosphere is such so that it
is possible strong or severe storms may occur.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

dtr/TG

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 7:15 PM CDT, 1 hour 58 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
715 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

MNZ003-027-100100-
West Becker MN-Clay MN-
715 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL CLAY AND WESTERN
BECKER COUNTIES UNTIL 800 PM CDT...

At 714 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Dale, or 17 miles west of Detroit Lakes, moving northeast at 15 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm; brief
funnel clouds possible.

Locations impacted include...
Hawley, Lake Park, Callaway, Westbury, Dale and Detroit Lakes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Grand Forks.

&&

LAT...LON 4675 9627 4691 9637 4709 9592 4684 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 247DEG 15KT 4687 9619

Lynch

Local storm report, Jul 9, 7:33 PM CDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
733 PM CDT TUE JUL 9 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0558 PM     TORNADO          2 S RUSTAD              46.70N 96.74W
07/09/2019                   Clay               MN   STORM CHASER

            REPORT AND VIDEO SHOW INTERMITTENT GROUND CONTACTS FOR
            ABOUT A HALF MILE OR SO OVER MAINLY OPEN FIELDS. THE
            TORNADO LIKELY ENDED BY 6PM CDT.

&&

GGUST

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 8:05 PM CDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
805 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

MNZ027-028-100145-
West Becker MN-East Becker MN-
805 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN BECKER COUNTY UNTIL
845 PM CDT...

At 804 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Detroit Lakes, moving east at 25 mph.

Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Detroit Lakes, Height Of Land Lake, Shoreham, Rochert, Westbury,
Frazee and southwestern Toad Lake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Grand Forks.

&&

LAT...LON 4672 9599 4688 9604 4703 9557 4674 9546
TIME...MOT...LOC 0104Z 254DEG 21KT 4683 9587

Lynch

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 8:29 PM CDT, 44 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
829 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

MNZ030-031-100215-
East Otter Tail MN-West Otter Tail MN-
829 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN OTTER TAIL COUNTY
UNTIL 915 PM CDT...

At 829 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Amor, or 20 miles northeast of Fergus Falls, moving northeast at 20
mph.

Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Perham, Ottertail Lake, New York Mills, Battle Lake, Ottertail, Deer
Creek and Bluffton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Grand Forks.

&&

LAT...LON 4631 9580 4642 9586 4651 9583 4668 9537
      4642 9519 4627 9566
TIME...MOT...LOC 0129Z 246DEG 17KT 4644 9570

Lynch

Local storm report, Jul 9, 9:01 PM CDT, 12 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
901 PM CDT TUE JUL 9 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0855 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 E OTTERTAIL           46.43N 95.47W
07/09/2019  E60 MPH          Otter Tail         MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WINDS ROCKING THE VEHICLE WITH SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED
            BRANCHES LITTERING THE ROADWAY. HAIL UP TO HALF IN
            DIAMETER.

&&

GGUST

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 9:04 PM CDT, 9 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
904 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

MNZ027-028-031-100245-
West Becker MN-East Otter Tail MN-East Becker MN-
904 PM CDT Tue Jul 9 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL OTTER TAIL AND
SOUTHEASTERN BECKER COUNTIES UNTIL 945 PM CDT...

At 904 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Frazee, or 7 miles east of Detroit Lakes, moving northeast at 20 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Frazee, Toad Lake, Height Of Land Lake, Wolf Lake, Rochert, Evergreen
and Snellman.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Grand Forks.

&&

LAT...LON 4667 9571 4681 9584 4702 9550 4678 9531
TIME...MOT...LOC 0204Z 238DEG 19KT 4677 9569

Lynch

The office that day

Everything else NWS Grand Forks, ND issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 9, 7:15 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	FGF	Becker	45 min
Jul 9, 8:05 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	FGF	Becker	40 min
Jul 9, 8:29 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	FGF	Otter Tail	46 min
Jul 9, 8:47 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	FGF	Otter Tail	43 min
Jul 9, 9:04 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	FGF	Becker	41 min
Jul 9, 9:14 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	FGF	Clay	24 hr
Jul 9, 9:40 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	FGF	Wadena	65 min
Jul 10, 10:29 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	FGF	Marshall, Polk	8 days

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Minnesota, 2019 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2019

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.