Special Weather Statement, NWS Twin Cities, MN

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
411 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2019

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday night)
Issued at 409 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2019

Main concern today continues to be the severe weather threat this
afternoon and evening, along with dangerous heat and humidity
peaking this afternoon.

One of the more impressive parameter spaces you'll see in July exists
over much of Minnesota this afternoon, but so far storms have
developed on the northern periphery of this environment and have
been unable to become surface-based and tap into this more-
favorable air. Temperatures in the low 90s along with dewpoints
around 80 exist primarily along and south of I-94 across MN and
WI, with cooler temperatures to the north where cloud cover from
convection this morning has limited the amount of warming so far.
SPC mesoanalysis shows extreme instability across southern and
central Minnesota with MLCAPE of 3000-5000 J/kg, along with
spring-like effective bulk shear values of 40-60 kts thanks to an
anomalously strong summer jetstreak of 130+ kts centered over
Manitoba. These parameters easily support supercells and we're
already seeing a few already today along and north of an
ortonville to Mora line. So far, these supercells have remained
elevated in the more stable environment to the north and have thus
only carried a large hail threat, with several reports of golf-
ball sized or larger hail. Should these storms become surface-
based as they head east across central Minnesota and into
northwest Wisconsin, easterly to southeasterly winds at the
surface are creating favorable hodographs for tornadoes with 0-1
SRH values of 150-250 m2/s2 and 0-1 km bulk shear vectors of 15-20
kts both supportive of strong and long track tornadoes. In
addition to this tornado threat, very large hail and damaging
downburst winds will also be present with any supercells this
afternoon/evening. Further to the south, thunderstorm development
remains uncertain owing to a very strong cap in place at 700 mb.
Our 18Z supplemental sounding showed 700 mb temperatures of 14.1 C
which would normally would easily be warm enough to suppress
convection from forming. However, given the extreme instability at
the surface and a stationary surface boundary across the area, a
conditional (yet small) threat for supercells does exist from
southern portions of central Minnesota into west-central
Wisconsin.

Eventually, these supercells are expected to congeal into a MCS and
likely a widespread damaging wind threat given the amount of
instability in place. The east-west CAPE gradient would suggest
this threat to be greatest primarily from the Mille Lacs area
east/southeast into Wisconsin. However, models are notoriously bad
a resolving cold pool dynamics and there is a possibility that
development this complex could grow upscale in a more southerly
track and impact the twin Cities metro/west-central Wisconsin. A
tornado watch is in effect for much of the area until 10 PM so
everyone should remain weather aware this evening given the
explosive environment in place and uncertainty in how exactly
events will unfold this evening.

The severe weather event is expected to be over by midnight, but
additional storms are expected to redevelop overnight as the cold
front drops through the area. While the severe threat looks low,
the heavy rain threat increases with near-record PW values in
place and slow storm motion vectors suggesting the possibility for
training thunderstorms along the front. Probability matched QPF
guidance suggests the potential for localized areas of 2-4 inches
which could result in a few areas of flash flooding, especially
where soils remain saturated from prior heavy rains.

Finally... dangerous heat and humidity continues this evening with
the Excessive heat warning going until 10 PM. relief comes later
tonight as cooler and drier air moves in behind the cold front.
Tomorrow looks much cooler with widespread cloud cover and
rainfall keeping highs in the upper 70s.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday)
Issued at 409 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2019

The upper trough will be shifting east of the region on Sunday, then
there is good agreement that the large scale pattern will favor a
ridge to our west with fairly dry and cooler northwest flow over our
area through the remainder of the forecast period. In terms of
sensible weather, this will bring less humid and much more benign
conditions for Sunday through Friday. Made minimal changes to the
consensus forecast derived from the NBM. Could have some lingering
diurnal shower activity Sunday with cool temperatures still in place
aloft. Otherwise, don't see any chance for widespread/organized
precipitation across the area until we get into return flow/warm
advection on the backside of the surface high toward the very end of
the forecast period. Even though it's at day 7, the guidance is
actually in remarkably good agreement on the passage of a cold front
(with associated precipitation chances) Friday into Friday night.
Temperature-wise, we'll see a cool down into midweek, with
moderating temperatures thereafter.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon)
Issued at 158 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2019

Main concern today continues to be the potential for severe
thunderstorms this evening, primarily across central Minnesota
and northwest Wisconsin. Thunderstorms from this morning/early
afternoon are dissipating over central Minnesota, when and where
we see additional development later this afternoon remains in
question. The most likely area for redevelopment looks to be from
STC east to the WI border, with thunderstorms forming into a line
as they move east into northern Wisconsin. This scenario would
result in thunderstorms only impacting STC, with other terminals
remaining dry. However, given the extreme instability and
boundaries across the region, can not totally rule out
thunderstorm development farther south towards RWF/MSP and into
west-central Wisconsin. Confidence in this scenario too low to
mention in the TAF, but this trends will be monitored and amended
as needed.

More widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to spread
across the area tomorrow morning, with conditions primarily
expected to remain MVFR.

KMSP... Strong capping exists over MSP and is anticipated to
result in any storms that develop this evening to remain north and
east of the terminal. As mentioned above, there is a highly
conditional threat for storms to develop further to the south, but
the probability of these storms forming and impacting the
terminal appears too low to warrant a mention in the TAF. if this
scenario unfolds, the most likely time frame would be between 5-8
PM. More widespread rainfall is expected to spread into central
and southern Minnesota tomorrow morning, but some uncertainty
exists with how far north the main band of precipitation will set
up.

/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
Sun...VFR. Chc TSRA. Wind N 5 kts.
Mon...VFR. Wind N 5 kts.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Excessive Heat Warning until 10 PM CDT this evening for WIZ024-
     026-028.

     Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for WIZ014>016-023-025-
     027.

MN...Excessive Heat Warning until 10 PM CDT this evening for
     MNZ058>070-073>078-082>085-091>093.

     Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for MNZ049>057.

&&

SHORT TERM...ETA
LONG TERM...
AVIATION...ETA

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
208 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2019

MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028-
201915-
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-
Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-
Kandiyohi-Meeker-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-
Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Carver-Scott-Dakota-
Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Watonwan-Blue Earth-
Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-Polk-Barron-Rusk-
St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-Eau Claire-
208 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central and
southern Minnesota...and west central Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and
evening, with the greatest risk across central and eastern
Minnesota into west-central Wisconsin. Large hail, damaging winds
and tornadoes are the primary threats, along with heavy rainfall.

Heat and humidity continues to build across the area this
afternoon with heat indices already around 110 degrees across
southern Minnesota. Expect this heat to continue until sunset,
when temperatures begin to drop as a cold front moves across the
area. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect for areas
generally south of a Canby to Twin Cities metro to Eau Claire
line, with a heat advisory to the north as far as a Sauk Centre to
Rush City to Ladysmith Wisconsin line.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

Additional showers and thunderstorms are likely on Saturday. A
few strong to severe storms are possible, primarily across
southern Minnesota. Locally heavy rainfall is expected with these
storms as well, which may lead to flash flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon
and evening.

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
545 PM CDT FRI JUL 19 2019

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

0450 PM     HAIL             3 NE RUSH CITY          45.71N 92.92W
07/19/2019  E2.25 INCH       CHISAGO            MN   PUBLIC

            REPORT SHARED VIA TWITTER WITH PHOTO.

&&

BPH

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
635 PM CDT FRI JUL 19 2019

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

0627 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 WSW NEW AUBURN        45.17N 91.68W
07/19/2019                   DUNN               WI   AMATEUR RADIO

            8 INCH BRANCH DOWN ALONG WITH PEA SIZE HAIL
            REPORTED.

&&

BPH

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
636 PM CDT FRI JUL 19 2019

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

0627 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 N BARRON              45.41N 91.85W
07/19/2019                   BARRON             WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

            NUMEROUS TREES AND BRANCHES DOWN.

0615 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NNW CHETEK            45.36N 91.68W
07/19/2019                   BARRON             WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SEVERAL 4-6 INCH LIMBS DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED
            BASED ON RADAR.

0545 PM     TSTM WND DMG     TURTLE LAKE             45.40N 92.15W
07/19/2019                   BARRON             WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

            NUMEROUS TREES DOWN, SIDING PARTIALLY OFF A
            HOTEL, ROOF PARTIALLY OFF A BUSINESS.TIME
            ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.

0450 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 ESE HARRIS            45.57N 92.92W
07/19/2019                   CHISAGO            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            MULTIPLE TREES DOWN IN YARD, INCLUDING A 50
            FOOT WIDE SWATH DOWN IN A TREELINE. TIME
            ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.

&&

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
647 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2019

WIC095-200115-
Polk-
647 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2019

...SMALL STREAM FLOODING EXPECTED...

Thunderstorms with heavy rain will cause minor flooding in the
following counties...

Polk...

* Until 815 PM CDT.

* At 646 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to
  thunderstorms. This will cause small stream flooding and ponding
  in low areas. Two to three inches of rain have already fallen.

Additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is possible over the area. This
additional rain will result in minor flooding.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 4530 9216 4545 9265 4546 9266 4561 9271
      4568 9216

CCS

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
655 PM CDT FRI JUL 19 2019

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

0645 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 SSW CUMBERLAND        45.48N 92.07W
07/19/2019                   BARRON             WI   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES ON POWER LINES SOUTH OF COMSTOCK ON
            HWY 63.

0642 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 SSW CUMBERLAND        45.48N 92.07W
07/19/2019                   BARRON             WI   AMATEUR RADIO

            POWER LINES DOWN ON 17TH AVE. IN COMSTOCK.

0630 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CHETEK                  45.32N 91.66W
07/19/2019                   BARRON             WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

            NUMEROUS LARGE TREES DOWN. POWER LINES DOWN.

&&

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
706 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2019

WIC005-107-200130-
Rusk-Barron-
706 PM CDT Fri Jul 19 2019

...SMALL STREAM FLOODING EXPECTED...

Thunderstorms with heavy rain will cause minor flooding in the
following counties...

Rusk...Barron...

* Until 830 PM CDT.

* At 704 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated very heavy rain due to
  thunderstorms. This will cause small stream flooding, and ponding
  in low areas. Two to three inches of rain have already fallen.

Additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected over the area. This
additional rain will result in minor flooding.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you
can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 4531 9136 4521 9215 4562 9214 4554 9126

CCS