Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2020

Tornado Warning 21, NWS Grand Forks, ND

July 8, 2020Grant County, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this tornado warning at Jul 8, 2020, 5:08 PM CDT for Grant County, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It was in force for 52 min. 3 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, 5:08 PM CDT (22:08 UTC)
Expired: Jul 8, 2020, 6:00 PM CDT
In force: 52 min
Issued by: NWS Grand Forks, ND
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 1.0 in

Counties Grant County, MN, Otter Tail County, MN

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 193 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:10 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, 5:08 PM CDT	TORNADO 4	6 W Ashby, MN	THIS TORNADO TRACKED NE FOR ROUGHLY 9 MILES, FROM EXTREME NE POMME DE TERRE TOWNSHIP ACROSS EXTREME SE TUMULI TOWNSHIP AND SW ST. OLAF TOWNSHIPS OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY. IT LIFTED ABOUT 5 E DALTON BY 539 PM CDT. THE TORNADO HAD A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 650 YARDS AND PE
Jul 8, 5:19 PM CDT	TORNADO	6 S Dalton, MN	LARGE TORNADO ON THE GROUND. ONE-HALF MILE FROM INTERSTATE REST AREA. SEEING DEBRIS LOFTED IN THE AIR.
Jul 8, 5:30 PM CDT	TORNADO	5 Ese Dalton, MN	3 FARMSTEADS HAVE BEEN HIT. TORNADO CURRENTLY AT 295TH AND STATE HIGHWAY 82. TORNADO CROSSED I-94, BUT NO VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED.

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 8, 4:15 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 223 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: 1297 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -141 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1096 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 163 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 291 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

487 
WFUS53 KFGF 082208
TORFGF
MNC051-111-082300-
/O.NEW.KFGF.TO.W.0021.200708T2208Z-200708T2300Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
508 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  South central Otter Tail County in west central Minnesota...
  Northeastern Grant County in west central Minnesota...

* Until 600 PM CDT.
    
* At 507 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Dalton, or 12 miles southeast of Fergus Falls,
  moving northeast at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Ashby around 515 PM CDT.
  Battle Lake around 550 PM CDT.
  Clitherall and Glendalough State Park around 555 PM CDT.
  Vining around 600 PM CDT.

This includes Interstate 94 in Minnesota between mile markers 64 and
72.
 
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 4617 9602 4640 9558 4613 9539 4610 9569
      4611 9577 4610 9577 4608 9597
TIME...MOT...LOC 2207Z 245DEG 18KT 4614 9591 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

NC

4 follow-up statements

194 
WWUS53 KFGF 082211
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
511 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020

MNC051-111-082300-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200708T2300Z/
Otter Tail MN-Grant MN-
511 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL OTTER TAIL AND NORTHEASTERN GRANT COUNTIES...
    
At 511 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 6 southwest of 
Dalton, or 12 miles southeast of Fergus Falls, moving northeast at 
20 mph.

HAZARD...TORNADO and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.

This tornado will be near...
  Ashby around 515 PM CDT.
  Battle Lake around 550 PM CDT.
  Clitherall around 555 PM CDT.
  Vining around 600 PM CDT.

This includes Interstate 94 in Minnesota between mile markers 64 and
72.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 4617 9602 4640 9558 4613 9539 4610 9569
      4611 9577 4610 9577 4608 9597
TIME...MOT...LOC 2211Z 245DEG 18KT 4615 9589 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

NC

025 
WWUS53 KFGF 082222
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
522 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020

MNC051-082230-
/O.CAN.KFGF.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200708T2300Z/
Grant MN-
522 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN GRANT 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 midnight CDT for
west central Minnesota.

LAT...LON 4620 9596 4640 9558 4613 9539 4611 9562
      4611 9589
TIME...MOT...LOC 2220Z 249DEG 16KT 4615 9585 

$$

MNC111-082300-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200708T2300Z/
Otter Tail MN-
522 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL OTTER TAIL COUNTY...
    
At 520 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Dalton, or 13
miles southeast of Fergus Falls, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

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 tornado will be near...
  Battle Lake around 555 PM CDT.
  Clitherall around 600 PM CDT.
  Urbank around 605 PM CDT.
  Vining around 615 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 4620 9596 4640 9558 4613 9539 4611 9562
      4611 9589
TIME...MOT...LOC 2220Z 249DEG 16KT 4615 9585 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.25IN

$$

NC

716 
WWUS53 KFGF 082245
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
545 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020

MNC111-082300-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200708T2300Z/
Otter Tail MN-
545 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL OTTER TAIL COUNTY...
    
At 544 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located south of Battle Lake, 
moving northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...TORNADO and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.

This tornado will be near...
  Clitherall around 600 PM CDT.
  Vining around 610 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 4624 9580 4631 9575 4640 9558 4615 9540
      4614 9575
TIME...MOT...LOC 2244Z 245DEG 18KT 4620 9569 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

NC

663 
WWUS53 KFGF 082256
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
556 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020

MNC111-082305-
/O.EXP.KFGF.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200708T2300Z/
Otter Tail MN-
556 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL OTTER TAIL COUNTY WILL
EXPIRE AT 600 PM CDT...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
west central Minnesota.

LAT...LON 4624 9580 4631 9575 4640 9558 4615 9540
      4614 9575
TIME...MOT...LOC 2255Z 245DEG 18KT 4621 9565 

$$

NC

The 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, 4:14 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	FGF	Otter Tail, Wilkin	31 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, 5:30 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 Tornado observed	FGF	Otter Tail, Wadena	25 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Minnesota, 2020 Every tornado warning in 2020 Tornadoes 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.