Alert archive / Wisconsin / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 25, NWS La Crosse, WI

December 15, 2021Winona County, Minnesota; Buffalo County, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this tornado warning at Dec 15, 2021, 7:58 PM CST for Winona County, Minnesota; Buffalo County, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 47 min. 16 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, 7:58 PM CST (01:58 UTC)
Expired
Dec 15, 2021, 8:45 PM CST
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS La Crosse, WI
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Winona County, MN, Buffalo County, WI, Trempealeau County, WI

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 40 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Dec 15, 8:05 PM CSTTSTM WND DMG4 Ese Lewiston, MNSIGNIFICANT HOUSE DAMAGE.
Dec 15, 8:08 PM CSTFUNNEL CLOUD6 N Nodine, MNFUNNEL CLOUD VISUAL NEAR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Dec 15, 8:09 PM CSTTSTM WND DMG4 Se Lewiston, MNBUILDINGS DAMAGED ALONG COUNTY HIGHWAY 25. TIME ESTIMATED.
Dec 15, 8:10 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGLewiston, MNPOWER OUTAGES REPORTED
Dec 15, 8:10 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGLewiston, MNPOWER OUTAGES REPORTED.
Dec 15, 8:14 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGStockton, MNFARM OUTBUILDINGS DESTROYED NEAR STOCKTON. KTTC TWITTER. TIME ESTIMATED.
Dec 15, 8:16 PM CSTTSTM WND DMG3 Wsw Wilson, MNPOWER POLE BROKEN.
Dec 15, 8:18 PM CSTTSTM WND DMG6 Ssw Winona, MNSEMI TRUCK BLOWN OVER AT INTERSTATE 90 MILE MARKER 252
Dec 15, 8:18 PM CSTTSTM WND DMG6 Ssw Winona, MNSEMI TRUCK BLOWN OVER AT INTERSTATE 90 MILE MARKER 252.
Dec 15, 8:20 PM CSTTSTM WND DMG2 Sse Marshland, WICONSIDERABLE 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, 8:21 PM CSTTSTM WND DMG6 N Nodine, MNPOWER OUTAGES REPORTED.
Dec 15, 8:26 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGWinona, MNPOWER OUTAGES IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES
Dec 15, 8:26 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGWinona, MNPOWER OUTAGES IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES.
Dec 15, 8:26 PM CSTTSTM WND GST 652 E Marshland, WIMESONET STATION FW3090 TREMPEALEAU.
Dec 15, 8:26 PM CSTNON-TSTM WND GST 652 E Marshland, WIMESONET STATION FW3090 TREMPEALEAU.
Dec 15, 8:47 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGTrempealeau, WIREPORTS OF TREES DOWN WITHIN TOWN.

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
Dec 15, 5:30 PM CSTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 2.0 hours before the alert went out and 189 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 00:00Z on 2021-12-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 633 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 00:00Z on 2021-12-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 443 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
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.

257 
WFUS53 KARX 160158
TORARX
MNC169-WIC011-121-160245-
/O.NEW.KARX.TO.W.0025.211216T0158Z-211216T0245Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
758 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Winona County in southeastern Minnesota...
  Southeastern Buffalo County in west central Wisconsin...
  Trempealeau County in west central Wisconsin...

* Until 845 PM CST.

* At 758 PM CST, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both
  tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located near
  Lanesboro, or 9 miles northeast of Preston, moving northeast at 70
  mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  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.

* These dangerous storms will be near...
  Lewiston around 810 PM CST.
  Stockton around 815 PM CST.
  Winona, Goodview and Fountain City around 820 PM CST.
  Arcadia around 835 PM CST.
  Blair and Independence around 840 PM CST.
  Whitehall around 845 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Merrick State Park, Lock And Dam 5 A, Dodge, County Roads 6 And 33,
Beach Corners, Wyattville and Perrot State Park.

This includes Interstate 90 in Minnesota between mile markers 237 and
267.
 
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 4451 9138 4439 9116 4425 9116 4398 9139
      4398 9142 4396 9140 4385 9150 4385 9208
TIME...MOT...LOC 0158Z 218DEG 61KT 4378 9196 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Baumgardt
4 follow-up statements
975 
WWUS53 KARX 160210 RRA
SVSARX

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

MNC169-WIC011-121-160245-
/O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211216T0245Z/
Winona MN-Buffalo WI-Trempealeau WI-
810 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CST FOR
SOUTHWESTERN WINONA...SOUTHEASTERN BUFFALO AND TREMPEALEAU
COUNTIES...

At 810 PM CST, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located near
Lewiston, or 8 miles southwest of Winona, moving northeast at 75 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

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.

These dangerous storms will be near...
  Winona and Goodview around 815 PM CST.
  Fountain City around 820 PM CST.
  Arcadia around 830 PM CST.
  Independence around 835 PM CST.
  Whitehall and Blair around 840 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Merrick State Park, Lock And Dam 5 A, Dodge, Beach Corners,
Wyattville, Perrot State Park and Chimney Rock.

This includes Interstate 90 in Minnesota between mile markers 237 and
267.
 
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 4451 9138 4439 9116 4425 9116 4398 9139
      4398 9142 4396 9140 4385 9150 4392 9201
TIME...MOT...LOC 0210Z 224DEG 66KT 4395 9179 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Baumgardt
970 
WWUS53 KARX 160221
SVSARX

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

MNC169-WIC011-121-160245-
/O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211216T0245Z/
Winona MN-Buffalo WI-Trempealeau WI-
821 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CST FOR CENTRAL
WINONA...SOUTHEASTERN BUFFALO AND TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES...

At 820 PM CST, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located near
Winona, moving northeast at 70 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

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.

These dangerous storms will be near...
  Arcadia around 830 PM CST.
  Whitehall and Independence around 840 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Merrick State Park, Lock And Dam 5 A, Dodge, Beach Corners, Perrot
State Park, Chimney Rock and Tamarack.

This includes Interstate 90 in Minnesota between mile markers 263 and
267.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4451 9138 4439 9116 4425 9116 4398 9139
      4398 9142 4396 9140 4388 9147 4412 9179
TIME...MOT...LOC 0220Z 218DEG 61KT 4410 9163 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Baumgardt
942 
WWUS53 KARX 160229
SVSARX

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

MNC169-160239-
/O.CAN.KARX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211216T0245Z/
Winona MN-
829 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL WINONA COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for west central
Wisconsin.

LAT...LON 4451 9138 4439 9116 4425 9116 4403 9135
      4423 9168
TIME...MOT...LOC 0229Z 218DEG 61KT 4422 9150 

$$

WIC011-121-160245-
/O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211216T0245Z/
Buffalo WI-Trempealeau WI-
829 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CST FOR EAST
CENTRAL BUFFALO AND CENTRAL TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES...

At 829 PM CST, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located over
Arcadia, moving northeast at 70 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

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.

These dangerous storms will be near...
  Independence around 835 PM CST.
  Whitehall around 840 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Highway 95 And County D, Beach Corners, Chimney Rock, Elk Creek,
Highway 95 And County C, North Creek and Tamarack.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4451 9138 4439 9116 4425 9116 4403 9135
      4423 9168
TIME...MOT...LOC 0229Z 218DEG 61KT 4422 9150 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Baumgardt
038 
WWUS53 KARX 160240 RRA
SVSARX

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

WIC011-160250-
/O.CAN.KARX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211216T0245Z/
Buffalo WI-
840 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL BUFFALO COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for west central
Wisconsin.

LAT...LON 4451 9138 4439 9116 4425 9116 4413 9126
      4432 9153 4437 9153
TIME...MOT...LOC 0240Z 218DEG 61KT 4437 9134 

$$

WIC121-160245-
/O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-211216T0245Z/
Trempealeau WI-
840 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CST FOR CENTRAL
TREMPEALEAU COUNTY...

At 840 PM CST, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located over
Whitehall, moving northeast at 70 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

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 tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
central Trempealeau County, including the following locations...
Highway 95 And County D, Beach Corners, Chimney Rock, Elk Creek,
North Creek, Pleasantville and Wickham Valley.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 4451 9138 4439 9116 4425 9116 4413 9126
      4432 9153 4437 9153
TIME...MOT...LOC 0240Z 218DEG 61KT 4437 9134 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Baumgardt

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 15, 6:37 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatARXFillmore, Mower68 min
Dec 15, 7:24 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatARXDodge, Fillmore, Olmsted, Wabasha, Winona51 min
Dec 15, 7:38 PM CSTTornado WarningARXFillmore, Houston37 min
Dec 15, 7:49 PM CSTTornado WarningARXOlmsted14 min
Dec 15, 7:53 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatARXHouston, Wabasha, Winona67 min
Dec 15, 8:01 PM CSTTornado WarningARXWabasha44 min
Dec 15, 8:16 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatARXCrawford, Grant, Vernon74 min
Dec 15, 8:24 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatARXClark, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon81 min
Dec 15, 9:05 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXClark25 min
Dec 15, 9:07 PM CSTTornado WarningARXClark38 min
Dec 15, 9:08 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatARXGrant, Richland52 min
Dec 15, 9:17 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXTaylor43 min
Dec 15, 9:28 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXClark16 min
Dec 15, 9:32 PM CSTTornado WarningARXClark, Taylor28 min
Dec 15, 9:33 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXAdams, Juneau72 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Wisconsin, 2021Tornado Warnings in Minnesota, 2021Every tornado warning in 2021Tornadoes 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.