Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2020
Tornado Warning 18, NWS Grand Forks, ND
NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this tornado warning at Jul 8, 2020, 4:14 AM CDT for Otter Tail County, Wilkin County, Minnesota. It was in force for 31 min. 15 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
- Jul 8, 2020, 4:14 AM CDT (09:14 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 8, 2020, 4:45 AM CDT
- In force
- 31 min
- Issued by
- NWS Grand Forks, ND
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Otter Tail County, MN, Wilkin County, MN
The radar
The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 162 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:16 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 4:19 AM CDT | TSTM WND GST 60 | 6 Sw Foxhome, MN | PEAK WINDS MEASURED AT A PERSONAL WEATHER STATION LOCATED 10 ESE BRECKENRIDGE. |
| Jul 8, 4:19 AM CDT | TSTM WND GST 60 | 6 Sw Foxhome, MN | PEAK WINDS MEASURED AT A PERSONAL WEATHER STATION LOCATED 10 ESE BRECKENRIDGE. |
| Jul 8, 4:20 AM CDT | TORNADO 1 | 2 Nnw Foxhome, MN | A TORNADO WRAPPED IN DOWNBURST WINDS AND RAIN TRACKED EASTWARD WITH INTERMITTENT GROUND CONTACT FOR AT LEAST 11 MILES TO THE NORTH END OF FERGUS FALLS BY 435 AM CDT. THE TORNADO UPROOTED OR SNAPPED NUMEROUS COTTONWOOD TREES IN SHELTER BELTS ALONG ITS PATH. IT |
| Jul 8, 4:32 AM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 N Western, MN | SEVERAL LARGE OAK TREES WERE SNAPPED ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF WESTERN TOWNSHIP. A WIDE SNARL WAS EVIDENT INDICATING A WEAK EMBEDDED CIRCULATION IN AN OTHERWISE DOWNBURST PATTERN. |
| Jul 8, 4:33 AM CDT | TSTM WND GST 62 | Fergus Falls, MN | PEAK WIND MEASURED AT A PERSONAL WEATHER STATION. |
| Jul 8, 4:34 AM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 Ene Elizabeth, MN | LARGE TREES BLOWN DOWN. A TREE BRANCH BROKE THROUGH THE ROOF AND CEILING OF A HOME ON JEWETT LAKE. REPORT AND PHOTO POSTED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR. |
| Jul 8, 4:35 AM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 N Fergus Falls, MN | A WIND TURBINE BLADE WAS SHATTERED. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR. |
| Jul 8, 4:35 AM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 Sw Edwards, MN | PICTURE SHARED BY BROADCAST MEDIA. TREE BRANCH THROUGH ROOF AND CEILING OF HOME NEAR LAKE JEWETT. TIME ESTIMATED. |
| Jul 8, 4:35 AM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Fergus Falls, MN | PICTURE SHARED BY BROADCAST MEDIA. WIND TURBINE BLADES BENT. TIME ESTIMATED. |
| Jul 8, 4:35 AM CDT | TSTM WND GST 83 | 2 W Fergus Falls, MN | PEAK WIND MEASURED AT THE FERGUS FALLS AIRPORT /KFFM/. |
| Jul 8, 4:35 AM CDT | TSTM WND GST 83 | 2 W Fergus Falls, MN | PEAK WIND MEASURED AT THE FERGUS FALLS AIRPORT /KFFM/. |
| Jul 8, 4:37 AM CDT | FUNNEL CLOUD | 2 E Fergus Falls, MN | FUNNEL CLOUD OBSERVED EAST OF TOWN MOVING TOWARDS UNDERWOOD. |
| Jul 8, 4:37 AM CDT | FUNNEL CLOUD | 2 E Fergus Falls, MN | FUNNEL CLOUD OBSERVED EAST OF TOWN MOVING TOWARDS UNDERWOOD. |
| Jul 8, 4:37 AM CDT | FUNNEL CLOUD | 2 Ne Fergus Falls, MN | FUNNEL CLOUD OBSERVED EAST OF TOWN MOVING TOWARDS UNDERWOOD. |
| Jul 8, 4:38 AM CDT | TORNADO 1 | 3 Sse Edwards, MN | A TORNADO WRAPPED IN DOWNBURST WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN TRACKED INTERMITTENTLY TO THE EAST-NORTHEAST FOR NEARLY 18 MILES. IT LIKELY CROSSED PICKERAL AND LONG LAKES, ENDING JUST BEFORE RUSH LAKE AROUND 4NNW OF OTTERTAIL BY 502 AM CDT. IT UPROOTED OR SNAPPED NUMEROU |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 11:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Aberdeen, SD (KABR), launched 00:00Z, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 227 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 567 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -367 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1705 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 39 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 12 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 235 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.4
The text
As transmitted.
041
WFUS53 KFGF 080914
TORFGF
MNC111-167-080945-
/O.NEW.KFGF.TO.W.0018.200708T0914Z-200708T0945Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
414 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020
The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Otter Tail County in west central Minnesota...
Southeastern Wilkin County in west central Minnesota...
* Until 445 AM CDT.
* At 413 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles southwest of Rothsay, or 14 miles northeast of
Wahpeton, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Foxhome around 415 AM CDT.
Carlisle and Elizabeth around 425 AM CDT.
Fergus Falls around 430 AM CDT.
Edwards around 435 AM CDT.
Phelps and Underwood around 445 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Fergus
Falls Airport.
This includes Interstate 94 in Minnesota between mile markers 40 and
69.
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.
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4615 9656 4646 9646 4648 9581 4612 9581
TIME...MOT...LOC 0913Z 273DEG 42KT 4638 9635
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
Knutsvig3 follow-up statements
672
WWUS53 KFGF 080927
SVSFGF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
427 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020
MNC111-167-080945-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-200708T0945Z/
Otter Tail MN-Wilkin MN-
427 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN OTTER TAIL AND EAST CENTRAL WILKIN COUNTIES...
At 427 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Elizabeth, or 8 miles north of Fergus Falls, moving
east at 55 mph.
HAZARD...TORNADO.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Edwards around 435 AM CDT.
Phelps and Underwood around 440 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Fergus
Falls Airport.
This includes Interstate 94 in Minnesota between mile markers 41 and
69.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4614 9634 4646 9628 4648 9581 4612 9581
TIME...MOT...LOC 0927Z 267DEG 49KT 4639 9612
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
Knutsvig417
WWUS53 KFGF 080933
SVSFGF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
433 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020
MNC167-080943-
/O.CAN.KFGF.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-200708T0945Z/
Wilkin MN-
433 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL WILKIN COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has Moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 600 AM CDT for
west central Minnesota.
LAT...LON 4614 9625 4646 9617 4648 9581 4612 9581
TIME...MOT...LOC 0933Z 268DEG 43KT 4638 9624
$$
MNC111-080945-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-200708T0945Z/
Otter Tail MN-
433 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN OTTER TAIL COUNTY...
At 433 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Carlisle, or 10 miles northwest of Fergus Falls,
moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...TORNADO.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Carlisle around 435 AM CDT.
Elizabeth around 440 AM CDT.
Fergus Falls around 445 AM CDT.
Edwards around 450 AM CDT.
Phelps and Underwood around 455 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Fergus
Falls Airport.
This includes Interstate 94 in Minnesota between mile markers 47 and
69.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4614 9625 4646 9617 4648 9581 4612 9581
TIME...MOT...LOC 0933Z 268DEG 43KT 4638 9624
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
Knutsvig019
WWUS53 KFGF 080934 CCA
SVSFGF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
434 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020
MNC167-080943-
/O.COR.KFGF.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-200708T0945Z/
Wilkin MN-
434 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR WILKIN COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 600 AM CDT for
west central Minnesota.
LAT...LON 4614 9625 4646 9617 4648 9581 4612 9581
TIME...MOT...LOC 0933Z 264DEG 44KT 4638 9624
$$
MNC111-080945-
/O.COR.KFGF.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-200708T0945Z/
Otter Tail MN-
434 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN OTTER TAIL COUNTY...
At 434 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Elizabeth, or 7 miles north of Fergus Falls, moving
east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...TORNADO.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Edwards around 440 AM CDT.
Phelps and Underwood around 445 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Fergus
Falls Airport.
This includes Interstate 94 in Minnesota between mile markers 47 and
69.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4614 9625 4646 9617 4648 9581 4612 9581
TIME...MOT...LOC 0933Z 264DEG 44KT 4638 9624
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
KnutsvigThe office that day
Everything else NWS Grand Forks, ND issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 1:42 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Wilkin | 63 min |
| Jul 8, 2:12 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Clay, Wilkin | 63 min |
| Jul 8, 2:18 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Clay, Norman, Polk | 57 min |
| Jul 8, 2:22 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Kittson, Marshall, Polk | 53 min |
| Jul 8, 3:10 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Clay | 50 min |
| Jul 8, 3:17 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Clay | 58 min |
| Jul 8, 3:22 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Clay, Wilkin | 38 min |
| Jul 8, 3:36 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | FGF | Clay | 8 hr |
| Jul 8, 3:58 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Grant, Otter Tail, Wilkin | 62 min |
| Jul 8, 4:43 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | FGF | Grant, Otter Tail | 47 min |
| Jul 8, 5:00 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Grant, Otter Tail, Wilkin | 60 min |
| Jul 8, 5:20 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | FGF | Becker, Hubbard, Otter Tail, Wadena | 40 min |
| Jul 8, 5:53 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Becker, Hubbard, Otter Tail, Wadena | 27 min |
| Jul 8, 6:19 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Wadena | 56 min |
| Jul 8, 10:42 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | FGF | Clay | 4 days |
| Jul 8, 5:00 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Otter Tail | 45 min |
| Jul 8, 5:08 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FGF | Grant, Otter Tail | 52 min |
| Jul 8, 5:30 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Otter Tail | 60 min |
| Jul 8, 6:05 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Otter Tail | 25 min |
| Jul 8, 6:33 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Otter Tail | 27 min |
| Jul 8, 6:35 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FGF | Otter Tail, Wadena | 25 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Minnesota, 2020Every tornado warning in 2020Tornadoes 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.