Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 26, NWS La Crosse, WI

December 15, 2021Wabasha County, Minnesota; Buffalo County, Wisconsin

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this tornado warning at Dec 15, 2021, 8:01 PM CST for Wabasha County, Minnesota; Buffalo County, Wisconsin. It was in force for 44 min. 4 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, 8:01 PM CST (02:01 UTC)
Expired: Dec 15, 2021, 8:45 PM CST
In force: 44 min
Issued by: NWS La Crosse, WI
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Wabasha County, MN, Buffalo County, WI

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 91 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:03 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	Plainview, MN	LARGE POLE SHED SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. VIA KIMT TWITTER. TIME ESTIMATED.
Dec 15, 8:10 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 85	Plainview, MN
Dec 15, 8:20 PM CST	TSTM WND GST 57	2 Sse Kellogg, MN	MESONET STATION MN069 1 SSE KELLOGG.
Dec 15, 8:28 PM CST	NON-TSTM WND GST 57	Kellogg, MN	MESONET STATION FW1865 WABASHA.

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, 2.0 hours before the alert went out and 133 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.

826 
WFUS53 KARX 160201
TORARX
MNC157-WIC011-160245-
/O.NEW.KARX.TO.W.0026.211216T0201Z-211216T0245Z/

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

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Wabasha County in southeastern Minnesota...
  Northern Buffalo County in west central Wisconsin...

* Until 845 PM CST.

* At 800 PM CST, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both
  tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located over
  Elgin, or 13 miles northeast of Rochester, 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...
  Plainview around 805 PM CST.
  Kellogg around 815 PM CST.
  Wabasha and Alma around 820 PM CST.
  Modena around 825 PM CST.
  Mondovi around 835 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Pioneer Campground, Mondovi Airfield, West Albany, County Roads F And
K K, County Roads 33 And 4, Rattlesnake Ridge and Bremen.

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 4445 9224 4441 9208 4459 9202 4459 9153
      4419 9204 4419 9208 4416 9208 4411 9214
      4411 9232 4420 9233
TIME...MOT...LOC 0200Z 212DEG 65KT 4410 9224 

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

$$

Baumgardt

4 follow-up statements

646 
WWUS53 KARX 160206
SVSARX

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

MNC157-WIC011-160245-
/O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-211216T0245Z/
Wabasha MN-Buffalo WI-
806 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CST FOR CENTRAL
WABASHA AND NORTHERN BUFFALO COUNTIES...
    
At 805 PM CST, a confirmed tornado was located over Plainview, or 15
miles southwest of Wabasha, moving northeast at 70 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Emergency management confirmed tornado in Eyota Minnesota 
         at 759 pm. 

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...
  Kellogg around 815 PM CST.
  Wabasha and Alma around 820 PM CST.
  Modena around 830 PM CST.
  Mondovi around 835 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Pioneer Campground, Mondovi Airfield, West Albany, County Roads F And
K K, County Roads 33 And 4, Rattlesnake Ridge and Bremen.

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. 

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

&&

LAT...LON 4445 9224 4441 9208 4459 9202 4459 9153
      4419 9204 4419 9208 4416 9208 4411 9214
      4411 9232 4420 9233
TIME...MOT...LOC 0205Z 210DEG 61KT 4417 9219 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Baumgardt

581 
WWUS53 KARX 160219
SVSARX

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

MNC157-WIC011-160245-
/O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-211216T0245Z/
Wabasha MN-Buffalo WI-
819 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CST FOR CENTRAL
WABASHA AND NORTHERN BUFFALO COUNTIES...
    
At 818 PM CST, a confirmed tornado was located over Wabasha, moving
northeast at 75 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Emergency management confirmed tornado near Eyota.

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...
  Modena around 825 PM CST.
  Mondovi around 835 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Nelson, Pioneer Campground, Maxville, Zumbro Bottoms Campground,
Mondovi Airfield, Conception and Misha Mokwa.

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 4445 9224 4441 9208 4459 9202 4459 9153
      4419 9204 4424 9231
TIME...MOT...LOC 0218Z 212DEG 65KT 4438 9201 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Baumgardt

466 
WWUS53 KARX 160230
SVSARX

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

MNC157-160240-
/O.CAN.KARX.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-211216T0245Z/
Wabasha MN-
830 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL WABASHA 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 4449 9205 4459 9202 4459 9153 4439 9179
TIME...MOT...LOC 0230Z 208DEG 42KT 4450 9192 

$$

WIC011-160245-
/O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-211216T0245Z/
Buffalo WI-
830 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CST FOR NORTHERN
BUFFALO COUNTY...

At 830 PM CST, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located near
Modena, or 10 miles northeast of Wabasha, moving northeast at 50 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...
  Mondovi around 845 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Mondovi Airfield, Misha Mokwa, Maxville, The Big Swamp Area, Urne and
County Roads F And K K.

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 4449 9205 4459 9202 4459 9153 4439 9179
TIME...MOT...LOC 0230Z 208DEG 42KT 4450 9192 

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

$$

Baumgardt

066 
WWUS53 KARX 160239
SVSARX

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

WIC011-160248-
/O.EXP.KARX.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-211216T0245Z/
Buffalo WI-
839 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN BUFFALO COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 845
PM CST...
        
The storm which prompted the warning will 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 west central
Wisconsin.

LAT...LON 4449 9205 4459 9202 4459 9153 4439 9179
TIME...MOT...LOC 0238Z 212DEG 65KT 4460 9183 

$$

Baumgardt

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, 7:53 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	ARX	Houston, Wabasha, Winona	67 min
Dec 15, 7:58 PM CST	Tornado Warning	ARX	Winona	47 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

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