Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 48, NWS La Crosse, WI

July 9, 2020Houston County, Minnesota

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 9, 2020, 2:57 PM CDT for Houston County, Minnesota. It was in force for 40 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, 2020, 2:57 PM CDT (19:57 UTC)
Expired: Jul 9, 2020, 3:37 PM CDT
In force: 40 min
Issued by: NWS La Crosse, WI
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

County Houston County, MN

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 22 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:57 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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Jul 9, 11:05 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 211 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: 871 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -240 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1187 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -6 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 21 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

799 
WUUS53 KARX 091957
SVRARX
MNC055-092115-
/O.NEW.KARX.SV.W.0048.200709T1957Z-200709T2115Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
257 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2020

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Central Houston County in southeastern Minnesota...

* Until 415 PM CDT.

* At 256 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Caledonia,
  moving northeast at 20 mph.

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

  SOURCE...Law enforcement.

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

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  Caledonia around 310 PM CDT.
  Brownsville around 345 PM CDT.
  Hokah around 350 PM CDT.
  La Crescent around 405 PM CDT.
  La Crosse around 415 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include County
16 And 4 Corners Drive, Beaver Creek Valley State Park, Highway 44
And Sanden Road, Willington Grove, Mound Prairie, Black Hammer and
Sheldon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Intense thunderstorm lines can produce brief tornadoes and widespread
significant wind damage. Although a tornado is not immediately
likely, it is best to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of
a building. This storm may cause serious injury and significant
property damage.

&&

LAT...LON 4385 9153 4385 9129 4384 9128 4379 9126
      4378 9124 4372 9126 4352 9161 4361 9173
      4363 9173
TIME...MOT...LOC 1956Z 227DEG 16KT 4359 9155 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL...0.75IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

Lee

1 follow-up statement

715 
WWUS53 KARX 092037
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
337 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2020

MNC055-092047-
/O.CAN.KARX.SV.W.0048.000000T0000Z-200709T2115Z/
Houston MN-
337 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2020

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

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for
southeastern Minnesota...and southwestern Wisconsin.

LAT...LON 4385 9153 4385 9129 4384 9128 4379 9126
      4378 9124 4372 9126 4352 9161 4361 9173
      4363 9173
TIME...MOT...LOC 2034Z 227DEG 16KT 4372 9136 

$$

Lee

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 La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 9, 1:47 PM CDT, 1 hour 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 9, 1:47 PM CDT, 1 hour 10 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
147 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2020

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Friday)
Issued at 147 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2020

Currently watching MVC/frontal boundary-induced storms this
afternoon, some of which will be strong to severe mainly south of I-
90. Look for these features/convection to move east of the area this
evening with clearing skies from west to east after midnight.

Less oppressive temperatures/dew points set for Friday as high
pressure builds in from the Plains into the Upper Mississippi River
Valley region. Highs look to be in the 80s with dew points in the
60s.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday)
Issued at 147 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2020

After the brief dry period Friday, expect shower and storm chances
to move back in Saturday as a shortwave trough slides southeast
through the forecast area. Still some model differences on just how
strong said wave will be, but looks like most of the area will have
at least a shot for some rain. As far as severe weather chances go,
looking pretty low at this time as deep layer shear looks pretty
marginal and morning clouds and convection could limit
destabilization. Should the wave trend a bit later, could see a bit
more destabilization and MUCAPE values getting into the 2000-3000
J/kg range, which could lead to some stronger storms.

A brief period of upper level ridging will build in for Sunday and
Monday and lead to dry conditions. Then expect flow aloft to become
southwesterly as large scale upper level troughing will start
working into the Northern Plains Monday night into Tuesday as a low
pressure system moves eastward through Canada. A shortwave trough
looks to round the base of said large scale trough and move through
the area Monday night into Tuesday, bringing the next shower and
storm chances. Another stronger wave then looks to move through
Tuesday night into Wednesday bringing yet another shot of rain to
the area, though still plenty of model spread on exact track.
Otherwise, high temperatures look to generally be in the 80s.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon)
Issued at 1215 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2020

Scattered storms will be ongoing this afternoon but are expected
to push east this evening. Very heavy downpours/temporary severe
reductions in visibility can be expected under these storms.
Otherwise, expecting prevailing VFR conditions. Also plan on
variable winds, gusty in any storms, becoming northwest 10kt or
less toward Friday morning.

&&

.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
MN...None.
IA...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...DAS
LONG TERM...CJA
AVIATION...DAS

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 9, 5:07 AM CDT, 9 hours 50 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
507 AM CDT Thu Jul 9 2020

IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029-
032>034-041>044-053>055-061-101100-
Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette-
Clayton-Wabasha-Dodge-Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston-
Taylor-Clark-Buffalo-Trempealeau-Jackson-La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau-
Adams-Vernon-Crawford-Richland-Grant-
507 AM CDT Thu Jul 9 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast
Minnesota...northeast Iowa and southwest into central Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Thunderstorms are expected across the area today and tonight. Some
of these could be strong to locally severe with heavy rain,
damaging winds, and hail.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Additional chances for storms are possible this weekend and again
from Monday night into the middle of next week. Organized severe
weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated. Rainfall reports would be
appreciated.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

No webinar is scheduled.

NMB/04

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 9, 1:45 PM CDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
145 PM CDT THU JUL 9 2020

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

0135 PM     TSTM WND DMG     OELWEIN                 42.68N 91.91W
07/09/2020                   FAYETTE            IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            5 TREES DOWN ON WEST CHARLES ST. A FEW OTHER
            TREES DOWN IN TOWN.

&&

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 2:07 PM CDT, 50 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
207 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2020

IAZ030-092000-
Clayton-
207 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2020

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT CLAYTON COUNTY...

At 207 PM CDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from Postville to near Edgewood. Movement was
northeast at 20 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.

Locations impacted include...
Guttenberg, Elkader, Postville, Monona, Strawberry Point, McGregor,
Garnavillo, Marquette, Farmersburg, Volga, Luana, North Buena Vista,
St. Olaf, Garber, Osterdock, Clayton, Elkport, Millville, Mederville
and Giard.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

These storms 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.

LAT...LON 4308 9161 4308 9118 4291 9114 4288 9110
      4275 9107 4269 9097 4268 9090 4265 9090
      4264 9160
TIME...MOT...LOC 1907Z 228DEG 18KT 4309 9159 4268 9140

Lee

Local storm report, Jul 9, 2:15 PM CDT, 42 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
215 PM CDT THU JUL 9 2020

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

0210 PM     HEAVY RAIN       HARMONY                 43.55N 92.01W
07/09/2020  M1.30 INCH       FILLMORE           MN   PUBLIC

&&

Local storm report, Jul 9, 2:19 PM CDT, 38 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
219 PM CDT THU JUL 9 2020

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

0144 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CALMAR                  43.18N 91.86W
07/09/2020                   WINNESHIEK         IA   PUBLIC

            ONE TREE BRANCH DOWN ON GARAGE.

&&

Local storm report, Jul 9, 2:38 PM CDT, 19 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
238 PM CDT THU JUL 9 2020

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

0145 PM     HEAVY RAIN       LYNDON STATION          43.71N 89.90W
07/09/2020  M1.25 INCH       JUNEAU             WI   PUBLIC

            FELL IN 30 MINUTES.

&&

Local storm report, Jul 9, 2:53 PM CDT, 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
253 PM CDT THU JUL 9 2020

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

0241 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 NW EITZEN             43.55N 91.52W
07/09/2020                   HOUSTON            MN   PUBLIC

            ONE TREE BRANCH DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
            RADAR.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS La Crosse, WI issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 9, 11:16 AM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	ARX	Olmsted	3 hr
Jul 9, 2:29 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	Houston	61 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Minnesota, 2020 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2020

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.