Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2020

Tornado Warning 41, NWS Grand Forks, ND

August 14, 2020Grant County, Minnesota

NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this tornado warning at Aug 14, 2020, 3:38 PM CDT for Grant County, Minnesota. It was in force for 37 min. 9 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
Aug 14, 2020, 3:38 PM CDT (20:38 UTC)
Expired
Aug 14, 2020, 4:15 PM CDT
In force
37 min
Issued by
NWS Grand Forks, ND
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Hail
1.0 in

County Grant County, MN

The radar

The Aberdeen radar (KABR), 200 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:38 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Aug 14, 3:38 PM CDTTORNADO6 W Elbow Lake, MNTHREE TORNADOES QUICKLY FORMED IN A LINE FROM 3 S WENDELL TO 7 W BARRETT TO 3 NE HERMAN. ALL TRACKING EAST.
Aug 14, 3:39 PM CDTTORNADO 07 E Charlesville, MNTHE THIRD OF 5 TORNADOES IN GRANT COUNTY, THIS TORNADO TRACKED TO THE ENE FOR ROUGHLY A MILE OVER MAINLY OPENED FIELD AND PASTURE LAND AND LIKELY LIFTED BY 342 PM CDT. A SLIGHT MARKING WAS NOTED IN A FIELD VIA VIDEO AND A STORM DAMAGE SURVEY TEAM. PEAK WINDS E
Aug 14, 3:42 PM CDTTORNADO 29 W Barrett, MNTHE FOURTH OF FIVE TORNADOES IN GRANT COUNTY, IT TRACKED TO THE ENE FOR NEARLY 14 MILES, LIFTING ABOUT 6 ENE OF ELBOW LAKE BY 408 PM CDT. IT CROSSED US HWY 59 ABOUT 2 MILES SOUTH OF ELBOW LAKE, THE SOUTH END OF POMME DE TERRE LAKE, AND THE TIPSINAH MOUNDS GOLF
Aug 14, 3:50 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD1 Nw Elbow Lake, MNNORTHERN TORNADO HAS LIFTED FROM THE GROUND, BUT STILL HAD FUNNEL ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN.
Aug 14, 3:50 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD4 W Elbow Lake, MNSECOND TORNADO HAS LIFTED FROM THE GROUND, BUT STILL HAD FUNNEL ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN.
Aug 14, 3:50 PM CDTTORNADO 13 Wnw Hoffman, MNTHE FIFTH AND SOUTHERNMOST OF 5 TORNADOES IN GRANT COUNTY, THIS HAD A PERSISTENT WALL CLOUD FOR SEVERAL MINUTES PRIOR TO TORNADO DEVELOPMENT. THE TORNADO QUICKLY BECAME WRAPPPED IN HEAVY RAIN AS IT TRACKED ENE FOR ROUGHLY 2 MILES TO AROUND 2 NNW OF HOFFMAN BY
Aug 14, 3:53 PM CDTTORNADO3 Sse Elbow Lake, MNMIDDLE OF THREE TORNADOES, PASSING BETWEEN ELBOW LAKE AND BARRETT.
Aug 14, 4:02 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG5 E Elbow Lake, MNTREES BLOWN DOWN AND ROOFING TORN OFF OF THE CLUB HOUSE AT A GOLF COURSE. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
Aug 14, 4:05 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG5 E Elbow Lake, MNTREES BLOWN DOWN AND ROOFING TORN OFF OF THE CLUB HOUSE AT A GOLF COURSE. POSSIBLE TORNADO.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Aug 14, 2:36 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 8.6 hours before the alert went out and 218 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2020-08-14Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 996 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2020-08-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 38 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
996 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-82 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
950 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
14 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
38 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
34 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

075 
WFUS53 KFGF 142038
TORFGF
MNC051-142115-
/O.NEW.KFGF.TO.W.0041.200814T2038Z-200814T2115Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
338 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Grant County in west central Minnesota...

* Until 415 PM CDT.

* At 338 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Elbow Lake, or
  26 miles south of Fergus Falls, moving east at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed several tornadoes.

  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.

* The tornado will be near...
  Elbow Lake around 345 PM CDT.
  Barrett around 355 PM CDT.
  Erdahl and Hoffman around 400 PM CDT.

This includes Interstate 94 in Minnesota between mile markers 78 and
80.
 
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 4600 9618 4604 9577 4593 9577 4593 9576
      4583 9576 4580 9611
TIME...MOT...LOC 2038Z 258DEG 25KT 4591 9603 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

DJR
3 follow-up statements
816 
WWUS53 KFGF 142048
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
348 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020

MNC051-142115-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0041.000000T0000Z-200814T2115Z/
Grant MN-
348 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN GRANT COUNTY...
    
At 348 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Barrett, or 25 miles south of Fergus Falls, moving
east at 30 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...
  Barrett around 350 PM CDT.
  Erdahl and Hoffman around 400 PM CDT.

This includes Interstate 94 in Minnesota between mile markers 78 and
80.
 
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 4604 9577 4593 9577 4593 9576 4583 9576
      4581 9605 4601 9610
TIME...MOT...LOC 2048Z 258DEG 25KT 4593 9593 

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

$$

DJR
818 
WWUS53 KFGF 142104
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
404 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020

MNC051-142115-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0041.000000T0000Z-200814T2115Z/
Grant MN-
404 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN GRANT COUNTY...
    
At 404 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Erdahl, or 26 miles southeast of Fergus Falls,
moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...TORNADO and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

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

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southeastern Grant County.

This includes Interstate 94 in Minnesota between mile markers 78 and
80.
 
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 4583 9576 4582 9593 4602 9595 4604 9577
      4593 9577 4593 9576
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 258DEG 24KT 4595 9578 

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

$$

DJR
829 
WWUS53 KFGF 142115 RRA
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
415 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020

MNC051-142125-
/O.EXP.KFGF.TO.W.0041.000000T0000Z-200814T2115Z/
Grant MN-
415 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN GRANT COUNTY HAS EXPIRED...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for west central
Minnesota.

LAT...LON 4583 9576 4582 9593 4602 9595 4604 9577
      4593 9577 4593 9576
TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 258DEG 25KT 4596 9569 

$$

DJR

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 13, 7:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBeltrami, Clearwater, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake60 min
Aug 13, 7:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFPennington33 min
Aug 13, 7:46 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFPennington44 min
Aug 13, 7:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBecker, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk67 min
Aug 13, 8:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBeltrami, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake37 min
Aug 13, 8:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFPolk, Red Lake61 min
Aug 13, 8:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFPolk28 min
Aug 13, 8:36 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFNorman, Polk39 min
Aug 13, 8:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBeltrami, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake61 min
Aug 13, 9:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFMahnomen, Norman, Polk60 min
Aug 13, 9:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFClearwater, Mahnomen, Polk63 min
Aug 13, 9:54 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFBeltrami21 min
Aug 13, 10:11 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningFGFPennington, Red Lake9 hr
Aug 13, 10:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBeltrami, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods64 min
Aug 13, 10:12 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningFGFMahnomen, Norman, Polk9 hr
Aug 13, 10:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFMahnomen, Norman, Polk62 min
Aug 13, 10:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFWilkin57 min
Aug 13, 10:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFClearwater, Mahnomen, Polk63 min
Aug 13, 11:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBeltrami65 min
Aug 13, 11:22 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFNorman68 min
Aug 13, 11:28 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFWilkin62 min
Aug 13, 11:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBecker, Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen57 min
Aug 13, 11:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBecker, Otter Tail, Wilkin64 min
Aug 14, 12:15 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFBeltrami60 min
Aug 14, 12:29 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBecker, Clearwater, Grant, Hubbard, Otter Tail, Wadena61 min
Aug 14, 12:41 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningFGFBeltrami, Clearwater8 hr
Aug 14, 12:51 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryFGFClearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk8 hr
Aug 14, 1:01 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningFGFOtter Tail14 hr
Aug 14, 1:08 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryFGFOtter Tail, Wilkin2 hr
Aug 14, 1:23 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFDouglas67 min
Aug 14, 1:34 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryFGFBeltrami, Hubbard7 hr
Aug 14, 1:46 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFOtter Tail, Wilkin59 min
Aug 14, 2:03 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBecker, Clay, Otter Tail, Wilkin57 min
Aug 14, 2:53 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFOtter Tail67 min
Aug 14, 3:11 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningFGFOtter Tail, Wilkin12 hr
Aug 14, 3:18 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFOtter Tail, Wilkin31 min
Aug 14, 4:02 AM CDTDense Fog AdvisoryFGFKittson, Marshall, Polk5 hr
Aug 14, 4:04 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFOtter Tail, Wilkin56 min
Aug 14, 4:15 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFOtter Tail60 min
Aug 14, 4:23 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningFGFGrant, Otter Tail6 hr
Aug 14, 4:44 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFWilkin46 min
Aug 14, 4:56 AM CDTFlash Flood WatchFGFBecker, Beltrami, Clay, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen and 8 more13 hr
Aug 14, 5:01 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFWilkin29 min
Aug 14, 5:10 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningFGFOtter Tail6 hr
Aug 14, 5:26 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFGrant19 min
Aug 14, 5:30 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFOtter Tail30 min
Aug 14, 5:52 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryFGFClay, Otter Tail, Wilkin6 hr
Aug 14, 5:58 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFClay62 min
Aug 14, 6:16 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFOtter Tail, Wadena59 min
Aug 14, 6:40 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFClay, Norman65 min
Aug 14, 9:15 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFNorman, Polk, Red Lake18 min
Aug 14, 9:32 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFPolk43 min
Aug 14, 9:38 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFClay, Norman, Wilkin52 min
Aug 14, 10:14 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBecker, Clay, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail46 min
Aug 14, 10:35 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningFGFNorman5 days
Aug 14, 10:35 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningFGFNorman8 days
Aug 14, 10:35 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningFGFNorman35 hr
Aug 14, 10:55 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBecker, Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen33 min
Aug 14, 11:02 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningFGFOtter Tail4 hr
Aug 14, 11:31 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFBecker29 min
Aug 14, 11:35 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryFGFBecker, Clay6 hr
Aug 14, 12:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFWadena59 min
Aug 14, 1:29 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningFGFClay4 days
Aug 14, 1:29 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningFGFClay21 days
Aug 14, 1:29 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningFGFClay5 days
Aug 14, 1:35 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryFGFNorman6 hr
Aug 14, 1:42 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFWadena33 min
Aug 14, 2:48 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningFGFOtter Tail6 hr
Aug 14, 2:48 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningFGFOtter Tail, Wilkin6 hr
Aug 14, 3:29 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningFGFMahnomen, Norman, Polk5 hr
Aug 14, 3:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFGrant, Otter Tail44 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.