Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 16, NWS Twin Cities, MN

August 20, 2021Stearns County, Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this tornado warning at Aug 20, 2021, 6:53 PM CDT for Stearns County, Minnesota. It was in force for 37 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued: Aug 20, 2021, 6:53 PM CDT (23:53 UTC)
Expired: Aug 20, 2021, 7:30 PM CDT
In force: 37 min
Issued by: NWS Twin Cities, MN
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Hail: 0.75 in

County Stearns County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 133 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:57 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Aug 20, 3:58 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 130 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: 48 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -139 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 999 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 62 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 37 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

689 
WFUS53 KMPX 202353
TORMPX
MNC145-210030-
/O.NEW.KMPX.TO.W.0016.210820T2353Z-210821T0030Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
653 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Stearns County in central Minnesota...

* Until 730 PM CDT.

* At 653 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Belgrade, or 23
  miles north of Willmar, moving northeast at 40 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  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.

* Locations impacted include...
  Melrose.

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.

To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
the Twin Cities.

&&

LAT...LON 4552 9484 4553 9505 4577 9490 4577 9464
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 208DEG 36KT 4548 9498 

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

$$

JLT

5 follow-up statements

074 
WWUS53 KMPX 202357
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
657 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

MNC145-210030-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-210821T0030Z/
Stearns MN-
657 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN STEARNS COUNTY...
    
At 656 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 8 miles southwest of
Melrose, or 30 miles southeast of Alexandria, moving northeast at 30 
mph. This storm has had multiple reports of brief tornado 
touchdowns. 

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

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.

Locations impacted include...
Melrose, New Munich, Greenwald, Elrosa, Meire Grove, Spring Hill, St.
Rosa and Sauk Centre Airport.

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.

If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.

&&

LAT...LON 4552 9484 4553 9505 4577 9490 4577 9464
TIME...MOT...LOC 2356Z 215DEG 25KT 4558 9492 

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

$$

JLT

797 
WWUS53 KMPX 210003
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
703 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

MNC145-210030-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-210821T0030Z/
Stearns MN-
703 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN STEARNS COUNTY...
    
At 702 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 6 miles southwest of Melrose, or 30 miles southeast of 
Alexandria, moving northeast at 35 mph. This storm has had a history 
of brief tornado touchdowns. Spotters are monitoring this storm 
closely. 

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.

Locations impacted include...
Melrose, Greenwald, Meire Grove and St. Rosa. 

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.

If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.

&&

LAT...LON 4557 9482 4557 9499 4577 9490 4577 9464
TIME...MOT...LOC 0002Z 216DEG 29KT 4560 9489 

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

$$

JLT

264 
WWUS53 KMPX 210009
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
709 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

MNC145-210030-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-210821T0030Z/
Stearns MN-
709 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN STEARNS COUNTY...
    
At 708 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Melrose, or 30 miles southeast of Alexandria, 
moving northeast at 40 mph. This storm continues to be monitored by 
storm spotters. It has had a history of brief tornado touchdowns. 

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.

Locations impacted include...
Melrose, Meire Grove and St. Rosa. 

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.

If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.

&&

LAT...LON 4559 9480 4565 9495 4577 9490 4577 9464
TIME...MOT...LOC 0008Z 208DEG 36KT 4566 9485 

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

$$

JLT

775 
WWUS53 KMPX 210018
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
718 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

MNC145-210030-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-210821T0030Z/
Stearns MN-
718 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL STEARNS COUNTY...
    
At 717 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Melrose, or 27 miles southwest of Little Falls, 
moving northeast at 40 mph. This storm will be moving into 
southeastern Todd County where a severe thunderstorm warning is in 
effect. Please be aware that storm spotters continue to monitor this 
storm as it tracks to the northeast. 

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.

Locations impacted include...
Melrose and St. Rosa. 

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.

If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.

&&

LAT...LON 4567 9473 4571 9492 4577 9490 4577 9464
TIME...MOT...LOC 0017Z 208DEG 36KT 4572 9480 

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

$$

JLT

483 
WWUS53 KMPX 210023
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
723 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

MNC145-210033-
/O.EXP.KMPX.TO.W.0016.000000T0000Z-210821T0030Z/
Stearns MN-
723 PM CDT Fri Aug 20 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL STEARNS COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 730 PM CDT...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However gusty
winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
central Minnesota.

LAT...LON 4567 9473 4571 9492 4577 9490 4577 9464
TIME...MOT...LOC 0023Z 208DEG 36KT 4577 9477 

$$

JLT

The office that day

Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Aug 20, 4:47 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Douglas	28 min
Aug 20, 4:51 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Todd	39 min
Aug 20, 4:54 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Douglas	19 min
Aug 20, 5:04 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Swift	41 min
Aug 20, 5:43 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Chippewa, Pope, Swift	32 min
Aug 20, 5:48 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Renville	42 min
Aug 20, 5:50 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Martin, Watonwan	40 min
Aug 20, 6:16 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MPX	Stearns	44 min
Aug 20, 6:21 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MPX	Pope, Stearns	39 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Minnesota, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.