Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2024

Tornado Warning 16, NWS Duluth, MN

August 29, 2024Aitkin County, Crow Wing County, Minnesota

NWS Duluth, MN issued this tornado warning at Aug 29, 2024, 4:14 PM CDT for Aitkin County, Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It was in force for 17 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 29, 2024, 4:14 PM CDT (21:14 UTC)
Expired
Aug 29, 2024, 4:31 PM CDT
In force
17 min
Issued by
NWS Duluth, MN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

Counties Aitkin County, MN, Crow Wing County, MN

The radar

The Duluth radar (KDLH), 121 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:18 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Aug 29, 2:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 9.2 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 12:00Z on 2024-08-29Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 832 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2024-08-29The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 242 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
832 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-148 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
584 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
242 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
296 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
8.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Duluth, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Aug 29, 1:20 PM CDT, 2 hours 54 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Isolated to scattered severe storms are possible today. All hazards are possible but the time window for large hail and tornadoes is narrow. Damaging winds and heavy rain are the most likely.
  • Heavy rain is likely with thunderstorms today, and localized flash flooding is possible. A Flood Watch is in effect through early Friday morning for portions of NE MN.
  • Breezy and fairly quiet conditions into the weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 29, 1:20 PM CDT, 2 hours 54 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
120 PM CDT Thu Aug 29 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated to scattered severe storms are possible today. All
hazards are possible but the time window for large hail and
tornadoes is narrow. Damaging winds and heavy rain are the most
likely.
- Heavy rain is likely with thunderstorms today, and localized flash
flooding is possible. A Flood Watch is in effect through early
Friday morning for portions of NE MN.
- Breezy and fairly quiet conditions into the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 120 PM CDT Thu Aug 29 2024

A cold front stemming from a stout upper level low is draped over
the far eastern Dakotas and into western Minnesota early this
afternoon. A robust warm sector has developed ahead of this front,
with a plume of dewpoints in the low 70s surging northward. We've
seen some percolating pop up thunderstorm activity within this
sector this morning, much of which has been elevated benefiting
from over 1500 J/kg of MUCAPE and good mid level lapse rates.
Clearing and increasing temperatures and dewpoint has lead to a
developing area of increasing surface based CAPE pushing up into
north-central Minnesota. This should allow developing storms this
afternoon in north-central Minnesota to become surface based,
compared to our elevated storms from this morning. With strong
synoptic support, individual storms should grow upscale quickly
along and just ahead of the front, and a discrete cell mode is not
expected to last long. Within that narrow discrete mode window would
be the best chance for larger hail up to 1.5" and a supercell
tornado threat over north-central Minnesota. As storm mode becomes
more linear, the primary hazards shift to damaging wind and heavy
rain. With this linear mode there is a marginal QLCS tornado threat,
especially along the northern extent of the severe outlook, where
low level shear should be maximized. Earliest severe threat should
begin early this afternoon and then progress eastward with the
front, clearing the Northland near midnight.

A Flood Watch has been issued for portions of NE MN and NW WI for
possible flash flooding with thunderstorms this afternoon and
evening. Confidence has increased for high rainfall rates within
thunderstorms and the likelihood of localized flash flooding. HREF
LPMM has kept a consistent signal for particularly heavy rain across
portions of Cass, Itasca, northern Aitkin, and portions of St. Louis
Counties, where some localized amounts in excess of 3" could be
observed. Thunderstorms this morning have already proven to be
efficient rainfall producers (over an inch of rain in less than an
hour at International Falls), and this is likely to continue with
ongoing thunderstorm development. Additionally, recent rains earlier
this week brought our soil moistures back up and area streamflows
have largely returned to their seasonal values. Especially since
thunderstorms this afternoon and evening will have better synoptic
support, excessive rainfall rates are expected with possible
localized flash flooding. While storms should be fairly progressive
with minimal training of storms, these rainfall rates alone could be
enough to produce flash flooding, particularly in urban areas.

Into Friday and the holiday weekend, conditions quiet down
considerably. There may be a little smoke from Canadian wildfires
that follows the front into tomorrow, but current AQI values
upstream are pretty good, so hopefully our air will stay on the
clean side. Breezy westerly winds continue through the day Friday
with dewpoints dropping into the 50s so it should feel like a very
pleasant late summer/early fall day! This weekend, northwesterly
breezes continue, which could bring some smoke to the region. An
upper level trough over Hudson Bay could lead to some scattered
showers for the MN Arrowhead and portions of NW WI Saturday
afternoon and evening, but we're not expecting much in the way of
QPF with that disturbance. Otherwise Labor Day weekend should
feature slightly above normal temperatures Saturday (in the upper
70s and low 80s), and then normal temperatures Sunday/Monday.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1242 PM CDT Thu Aug 29 2024

Big mix of conditions this afternoon with showers and storms
scattered about the Northland and some scattered skies moving in
from the southwest. A cold front will push from west to east this
afternoon and evening (beginning around 2pm for Brainerd and 6 or 7
pm for HYR) with thunderstorms expected. Heavy rain could drop
visibilities to less than a mile at times. As this clear the region
around midnight, some fog could develop, most likely at DLH and HYR.
Expect a return to VFR for all terminals by Friday morning.

&&

.MARINE /FOR NEAR SHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/...
Issued at 120 PM CDT Thu Aug 29 2024

Breezy easterly winds today with gusts of 15 to 20 knots will lead
to some bumpy conditions, but currently not expecting to need to
upgrade to any small craft advisories for today. A cold front pushes
across the area this afternoon and evening, reaching the Twin Ports
around 6pm, and then the North and South Shores through 8pm, finally
pushing across the Apostles and Grand Portage in the late evening
close to midnight. Some heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and
gusty winds could be possible with these storms. Behind the front,
winds become southwesterly Friday and into Saturday, with strong
gusts up to 25 knots in the afternoons. This should lead to more
wavy conditions, and could create some upwelling in surface water
temperatures along the North Shore. Some small craft advisories have
been issued for the Apostles and portion of the North Shore, and
more may be needed for other zones. Winds should turn northwesterly
Sunday and calm into Monday.

For the open water discussion, refer to the NWS Marquette Area
Forecast Discussion at weather.gov/mqt.

&&

.DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...Flood Watch through late tonight for MNZ010-011-018-019-025-
     026-033>038.
     Beach Hazards Statement until 9 PM CDT this evening for MNZ037.
WI...Flood Watch through late tonight for WIZ001-006.
     Beach Hazards Statement until 9 PM CDT this evening for WIZ001.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 10 AM to 7 PM CDT Friday for LSZ140-
     141-150.

&&

DISCUSSION...Levens
AVIATION...Levens
MARINE...Levens
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 29, 1:59 PM CDT, 2 hours 15 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Duluth MN
159 PM CDT Thu Aug 29 2024

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-301900-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook/Northern Lake-
North Itasca-Central St. Louis-Southern Lake/North Shore-
Southern Cook/North Shore-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass-
Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-Carlton/South St. Louis-
Pine-Douglas-Bayfield-Ashland-Iron-Burnett-Washburn-Sawyer-Price-
159 PM CDT Thu Aug 29 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast
Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight

Thunderstorms are likely today across the Northland. Severe
storms are possible (30 to 50 percent chance) this afternoon and
evening with damaging winds up to 60 mph, large hail up to 1.5
inches, and an isolated tornado. Severe storms are most likely in
north-central Minnesota and east into the St. Croix River Valley.
Localized heavy rain could lead to minor flooding Thursday
afternoon into Thursday night.

Strong easterly winds and elevated waves in the Twin Ports bring
a high risk for rip currents today. Swimming conditions will be
hazardous.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Skywarn spotters are encouraged to report hail of any size and
rainfall amounts to the National Weather Service.

LSZ121-140>148-150-301900-
Bayfield to Oak Point WI-Grand Portage to Grand Marais MN-
Grand Marais to Taconite Harbor MN-
Taconite Harbor to Silver Bay Harbor MN-
Silver Bay Harbor to Two Harbors MN-Two Harbors to Duluth MN-
Duluth MN to Port Wing WI-Port Wing to Sand Island WI-
Sand Island to Bayfield WI-Oak Point to Saxon Harbor WI-
Outer Apostle Islands Beyond 5 NM from Mainland-
159 PM CDT Thu Aug 29 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Superior
and the Nearshore waters of western Lake Superior.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight

Thunderstorms are expected this afternoon into tonight. A few
severe thunderstorms may occur which will be capable of producing
hail around an inch and storm force winds.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Strong westerly winds are expected Friday with another period of
stronger northwest winds Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Levens

More information may be obtained at the following web address:
http://www.weather.gov/duluth

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 29, 12:02 PM CDT, 4 hours 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1202 PM CDT Thu Aug 29 2024

MNZ011-012-300100-
North St. Louis-Northern Cook and Lake-
Including the cities of Ely and Isabella
1202 PM CDT Thu Aug 29 2024

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAY AFFECT THE BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA
WILDERNESS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...

Severe thunderstorms may affect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness late this afternoon and evening. The storms may produce
damaging winds, large hail, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning,
and locally heavy rainfall. Thunderstorms could happen as early as
4PM with the most likely time for thunderstorms between 6PM and
11PM.

Now is the time to prepare in case thunderstorms threaten.
Campers should take extra precautions now in order to secure
campsites and make a plan in case of severe weather. For strong
winds, try to keep your tent away from large or decayed trees.
For large hail, use your well-tied down canoe or tent for
shelter. For lightning, sit on your personal floatation devices
or sleeping pads and avoid putting your tent on top of exposed
tree roots to minimize your risk. Monitor NOAA Weather Radio for
updates and possible warnings.

Wolfe
Local storm report, Aug 29, 2:53 PM CDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 29, 3:48 AM CDTBeach Hazards StatementDLHCarlton, Saint Louis17 hr
Aug 29, 7:33 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHKoochiching27 min
Aug 29, 8:30 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHKoochiching30 min
Aug 29, 9:06 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHKoochiching24 min
Aug 29, 11:59 AM CDTFlood WatchDLHAitkin, Carlton, Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca, Koochiching and 2 more9 hr
Aug 29, 2:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDLHCass, Crow Wing45 min
Aug 29, 2:38 PM CDTSmall Craft AdvisoryDLH28 hr
Aug 29, 3:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDLHAitkin, Cass, Crow Wing59 min
Aug 29, 5:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDLHBurnett, Washburn62 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Minnesota, 2024Every tornado warning in 2024Tornadoes in 2024

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.