Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2021

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 109, NWS La Crosse, WI

December 15, 2021Houston County, Wabasha County, Winona County, Minnesota; Buffalo County, La Crosse County, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Dec 15, 2021, 7:53 PM CST for Houston County, Wabasha County, Winona County, Minnesota; Buffalo County, La Crosse County, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 67 min. 29 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: Dec 15, 2021, 7:53 PM CST (01:53 UTC)
Expired: Dec 15, 2021, 9:00 PM CST
In force: 67 min
Issued by: NWS La Crosse, WI
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Damage threat: Destructive
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 80.0 mph

Counties Houston County, MN, Wabasha County, MN, Winona County, MN, Buffalo County, WI, La Crosse County, WI, Trempealeau County, WI

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 54 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:56 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
Dec 15, 8:05 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	4 Ese Lewiston, MN	SIGNIFICANT HOUSE DAMAGE.
Dec 15, 8:08 PM CST	FUNNEL CLOUD	6 N Nodine, MN	FUNNEL CLOUD VISUAL NEAR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Dec 15, 8:09 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	4 Se Lewiston, MN	BUILDINGS DAMAGED ALONG COUNTY HIGHWAY 25. TIME ESTIMATED.
Dec 15, 8:14 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	Stockton, MN	FARM OUTBUILDINGS DESTROYED NEAR STOCKTON. KTTC TWITTER. TIME ESTIMATED.
Dec 15, 8:16 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	3 Wsw Wilson, MN	POWER POLE BROKEN.
Dec 15, 8:17 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 52	French Island, WI
Dec 15, 8:18 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	6 Ssw Winona, MN	SEMI TRUCK BLOWN OVER AT INTERSTATE 90 MILE MARKER 252
Dec 15, 8:18 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	6 Ssw Winona, MN	SEMI TRUCK BLOWN OVER AT INTERSTATE 90 MILE MARKER 252.
Dec 15, 8:20 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	2 Sse Marshland, WI	CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF TREES BLOWN DOWN IN THE TREMPEALEAU WILDLIFE REFUGE. ESTIMATES OF 50 TO 100 IN THE VICINITY OF THE VISITORS CENTER ALONE.
Dec 15, 8:20 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	Holmen, WI	POWER LINES DOWN.
Dec 15, 8:20 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 57	2 Sse Kellogg, MN	MESONET STATION MN069 1 SSE KELLOGG.
Dec 15, 8:21 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	6 N Nodine, MN	POWER OUTAGES REPORTED.
Dec 15, 8:22 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 50	Buffalo, WI	CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND GST REPORT FROM BUFFALO.
Dec 15, 8:25 PM CST	HAIL 0.75	Dakota, MN
Dec 15, 8:26 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	Winona, MN	POWER OUTAGES IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES
Dec 15, 8:26 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	Winona, MN	POWER OUTAGES IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES.
Dec 15, 8:26 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 65	2 E Marshland, WI	MESONET STATION FW3090 TREMPEALEAU.
Dec 15, 8:26 PM CST	NON-TSTM WND GST 65	2 E Marshland, WI	MESONET STATION FW3090 TREMPEALEAU.
Dec 15, 8:28 PM CST	NON-TSTM WND GST 57	Kellogg, MN	MESONET STATION FW1865 WABASHA.
Dec 15, 8:29 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	1 Se French Island, WI
Dec 15, 8:30 PM CST	HAIL 1.25	4 Ne New Amsterdam, WI
Dec 15, 8:31 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 54	La Crosse Airport, WI
Dec 15, 8:32 PM CST	HAIL 0.25	2 S Holmen, WI
Dec 15, 8:34 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 48	2 E La Crosse, WI
Dec 15, 8:45 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	Buffalo, WI	REPORTS OF FEW TREES DOWN IN TOWN.
Dec 15, 8:47 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	Trempealeau, WI	REPORTS OF TREES DOWN WITHIN TOWN.
Dec 15, 9:02 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 50	Buffalo, WI	.
Dec 15, 9:02 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 50	Buffalo, WI
Dec 15, 9:08 PM CST	NON-TSTM WND GST 48	2 E La Crosse, WI	MESONET STATION LSRW3 LA CROSSE.

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
Dec 15, 5:30 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 1.9 hours before the alert went out and 169 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: 633 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -55 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 770 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 75 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 443 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 470 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 5.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

188 
WUUS53 KARX 160153
SVRARX
MNC055-157-169-WIC011-063-121-160300-
/O.NEW.KARX.SV.W.0109.211216T0153Z-211216T0300Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
753 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Winona County in southeastern Minnesota...
  Wabasha County in southeastern Minnesota...
  Houston County in southeastern Minnesota...
  Buffalo County in west central Wisconsin...
  Western La Crosse County in west central Wisconsin...
  Trempealeau County in west central Wisconsin...

* Until 900 PM CST.

* At 752 PM CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Wanamingo to 7 miles southwest of Lewiston to
  near Mabel, moving northeast at 80 mph.

  THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS.

  HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect 
           considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles. 
           Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.

* Severe thunderstorms will be near...
  Stockton and Altura around 800 PM CST.
  Winona, Goodview, Fountain City and Rollingstone around 805 PM 
  CST.
  Houston around 810 PM CST.

Other locations in the path of these severe thunderstorms include
Dakota, Trempealeau, Independence, Brice Prairie, Galesville, Strum,
Whitehall and Blair.



PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northeastern
Iowa...southeastern Minnesota...and southwestern and west central
Wisconsin.

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northeastern
Iowa...southeastern Minnesota...and southwestern and west central
Wisconsin.

&&

LAT...LON 4437 9255 4437 9243 4445 9243 4445 9224
      4441 9208 4460 9200 4459 9117 4373 9113
      4373 9126 4371 9127 4361 9127 4358 9123
      4354 9125 4350 9122 4350 9173 4385 9173
      4419 9207 4419 9255
TIME...MOT...LOC 0152Z 207DEG 80KT 4437 9275 4389 9193 4350 9183 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...80 MPH

$$

Rieck

4 follow-up statements

768 
WWUS53 KARX 160205
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
805 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

MNC055-157-169-WIC011-063-121-160300-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0109.000000T0000Z-211216T0300Z/
Winona MN-Wabasha MN-Houston MN-Buffalo WI-La Crosse WI-
Trempealeau WI-
805 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CST
FOR WINONA...WABASHA...HOUSTON...BUFFALO...WESTERN LA CROSSE AND
TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES...

At 804 PM CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Welch to near Stockton to 7 miles southwest of
Houston, moving northeast at 80 mph.

THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS.

HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect 
         considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles. 
         Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.

These severe storms will be near...
  Fountain City around 810 PM CST.

Other locations in the path of these severe thunderstorms include
Arcadia, Dakota, Trempealeau, Galesville, Independence, Brice
Prairie, Whitehall, Strum, Osseo and Blair.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northeastern
Iowa...southeastern Minnesota...and southwestern and west central
Wisconsin.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4437 9255 4437 9243 4445 9243 4445 9224
      4441 9208 4460 9200 4459 9117 4373 9113
      4373 9126 4371 9127 4361 9127 4358 9123
      4354 9125 4350 9122 4350 9173 4385 9173
      4419 9207 4419 9255
TIME...MOT...LOC 0204Z 209DEG 71KT 4458 9263 4398 9172 4369 9168 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...80 MPH

$$

Rieck

518 
WWUS53 KARX 160236
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
836 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

MNC157-160245-
/O.CAN.KARX.SV.W.0109.000000T0000Z-211216T0300Z/
Wabasha MN-
836 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WABASHA COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northeastern
Iowa...southeastern Minnesota...and southwestern and west central
Wisconsin.

LAT...LON 4460 9200 4459 9117 4373 9113 4373 9126
      4371 9127 4361 9127 4358 9123 4354 9125
      4350 9122 4351 9160 4387 9150 4401 9151
      4420 9185 4429 9193 4433 9192 4441 9208
TIME...MOT...LOC 0235Z 270DEG 80KT 4516 9222 4456 9131 4427 9127 

$$

MNC055-169-WIC011-063-121-160300-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0109.000000T0000Z-211216T0300Z/
Winona MN-Houston MN-Buffalo WI-La Crosse WI-Trempealeau WI-
836 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CST
FOR CENTRAL WINONA...HOUSTON...BUFFALO...WESTERN LA CROSSE AND
TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES...

At 835 PM CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 6 miles south of Clear Lake to near Strum to near
Blair, moving east at 80 mph.

THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS.

HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect 
         considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles. 
         Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.

Locations impacted include...
  Osseo and Blair.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northeastern
Iowa...southeastern Minnesota...and southwestern and west central
Wisconsin.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4460 9200 4459 9117 4373 9113 4373 9126
      4371 9127 4361 9127 4358 9123 4354 9125
      4350 9122 4351 9160 4387 9150 4401 9151
      4420 9185 4429 9193 4433 9192 4441 9208
TIME...MOT...LOC 0235Z 270DEG 80KT 4516 9222 4456 9131 4427 9127 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...80 MPH

$$

Rieck

982 
WWUS53 KARX 160247
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
847 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

MNC169-WIC011-160256-
/O.CAN.KARX.SV.W.0109.000000T0000Z-211216T0300Z/
Winona MN-Buffalo WI-
847 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CENTRAL WINONA AND BUFFALO
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northeastern
Iowa...southeastern Minnesota...and southwestern and west central
Wisconsin.

LAT...LON 4459 9117 4425 9117 4425 9115 4373 9113
      4373 9126 4371 9127 4361 9127 4358 9123
      4354 9125 4350 9122 4351 9149 4385 9130
      4385 9128 4386 9130 4418 9118 4455 9153
      4459 9153
TIME...MOT...LOC 0246Z 207DEG 80KT 4534 9210 4474 9118 4445 9115 

$$

MNC055-WIC063-121-160300-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0109.000000T0000Z-211216T0300Z/
Houston MN-La Crosse WI-Trempealeau WI-
847 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CST
FOR EASTERN HOUSTON...CENTRAL LA CROSSE AND EASTERN TREMPEALEAU
COUNTIES...

At 846 PM CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Clayton to near Fall Creek to 9 miles south of
Osseo, moving northeast at 80 mph.

THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORM.

HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect 
         considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles. 
         Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.

Locations impacted include...
La Crosse, La Crescent, Whitehall, Onalaska, Holmen, Osseo, Blair, 
Strum, Hokah, Medary, Eleva, Pigeon Falls, Reno, Eitzen, Chimney 
Rock and Irish Hill.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northeastern
Iowa...southeastern Minnesota...and southwestern and west central
Wisconsin.

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

This is a DANGEROUS SITUATION. These storms are producing widespread 
wind damage. SEEK SHELTER NOW inside a sturdy structure and stay 
away from windows.
 
&&

LAT...LON 4459 9117 4425 9117 4425 9115 4373 9113
      4373 9126 4371 9127 4361 9127 4358 9123
      4354 9125 4350 9122 4351 9149 4385 9130
      4385 9128 4386 9130 4418 9118 4455 9153
      4459 9153
TIME...MOT...LOC 0246Z 207DEG 80KT 4534 9210 4474 9118 4445 9115 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...80 MPH

$$

Rieck

051 
WWUS53 KARX 160257
SVSARX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
857 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

MNC055-WIC063-121-160306-
/O.EXP.KARX.SV.W.0109.000000T0000Z-211216T0300Z/
Houston MN-La Crosse WI-Trempealeau WI-
857 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EASTERN HOUSTON...CENTRAL LA
CROSSE AND EASTERN TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 900 PM CST...
    
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northeastern
Iowa...southeastern Minnesota...and southwestern and west central
Wisconsin.

LAT...LON 4459 9117 4425 9117 4425 9115 4373 9113
      4373 9126 4371 9127 4361 9127 4358 9123
      4354 9125 4350 9122 4351 9149 4385 9130
      4385 9128 4386 9130 4418 9118 4455 9153
      4459 9153
TIME...MOT...LOC 0256Z 207DEG 80KT 4553 9197 4493 9105 4464 9102 

$$

Rieck

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Dec 15, 6:37 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	ARX	Fillmore, Mower	68 min
Dec 15, 7:24 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	ARX	Dodge, Fillmore, Olmsted, Wabasha, Winona	51 min
Dec 15, 7:38 PM CST	Tornado Warning	ARX	Fillmore, Houston	37 min
Dec 15, 7:49 PM CST	Tornado Warning	ARX	Olmsted	14 min
Dec 15, 7:58 PM CST	Tornado Warning	ARX	Winona	47 min
Dec 15, 8:01 PM CST	Tornado Warning	ARX	Wabasha	44 min
Dec 15, 8:16 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	ARX	Crawford, Grant, Vernon	74 min
Dec 15, 8:24 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	ARX	Clark, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon	81 min
Dec 15, 9:05 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	Clark	25 min
Dec 15, 9:07 PM CST	Tornado Warning	ARX	Clark	38 min
Dec 15, 9:08 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	ARX	Grant, Richland	52 min
Dec 15, 9:17 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	Taylor	43 min
Dec 15, 9:28 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	Clark	16 min
Dec 15, 9:32 PM CST	Tornado Warning	ARX	Clark, Taylor	28 min
Dec 15, 9:33 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	Adams, Juneau	72 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Minnesota, 2021 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Wisconsin, 2021 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2021

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.