Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2024

Tornado Warning 7, NWS Duluth, MN

June 12, 2024Aitkin County, Pine County, Minnesota

NWS Duluth, MN issued this tornado warning at Jun 12, 2024, 7:42 PM CDT for Aitkin County, Pine County, Minnesota. It was in force for 21 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
Jun 12, 2024, 7:42 PM CDT (00:42 UTC)
Expired
Jun 12, 2024, 8:03 PM CDT
In force
21 min
Issued by
NWS Duluth, MN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Hail
2.5 in

Counties Aitkin County, MN, Pine County, MN

The radar

The Duluth radar (KDLH), 85 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:42 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
Jun 12, 3:32 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr
Jun 12, 6:52 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC3 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 173 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 2024-06-13Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1263 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 00:00Z on 2024-06-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 279 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
1263 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-161 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1298 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
279 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
254 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.3
Supercell composite
4.4

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 Jun 12, 6:20 PM CDT, 1 hour 22 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Strong to severe thunderstorms is ongoing this evening. Hazards include very large hail up to 3" in diameter, damaging winds to 70 mph, and a few tornadoes.
  • Cooler temps on Thursday and high pressure on Friday. Additional shower and thunderstorm chances likely this weekend into early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 12, 6:20 PM CDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
620 PM CDT Wed Jun 12 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong to severe thunderstorms is ongoing this evening. Hazards
  include very large hail up to 3" in diameter, damaging winds
  to 70 mph, and a few tornadoes.

- Cooler temps on Thursday and high pressure on Friday.
  Additional shower and thunderstorm chances likely this weekend
  into early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 140 PM CDT Wed Jun 12 2024

This afternoon and evening:

Destabilization has been occurring early this afternoon as skies
have (or in the process of becoming) cleared in the wake of showers
and thunderstorms that moved through earlier this morning. High
MLCAPE values of 2000-3500 J/kg are expected this afternoon and
evening in the warm sector ahead of an approaching cold front.
Aloft, a steep elevated mixed layer around 8-8.5 degC/km will be
advecting into the CWA this afternoon. At the surface, moisture
advection provided via a strong southwesterly LLJ at 850mb of 40-45
knots has increased dewpoints across the MN portion of the CWA
to around the low to mid 60s.

Previously, there was some concern that the convection that is
currently moving through southern MN would reduce the amount of
available moisture and reduce the severe thunderstorm potential.
However, recent obs have shown that the strong LLJ has been able to
overcome this barrier. Latent heat release from the morning and
ongoing convection being advected northward is also likely
contributing to the strong instability that will be seen today.

Thunderstorms are expected to have strong and quickly-developing
organization today as very favorable wind shear occurs over the CWA.
A strong 500mb jet maxima will result in 0-6 km bulk shear today of
50-55 knots. Storm mode today is expected to initially begin as
discrete supercells over north-central MN, primarily northwest of
the Iron Range. As convection propagates eastward, storm mode is
expected to transition to becoming more quasi-linear. Recent runs of
the CAMs suggest that while storm mode will become more linear this
evening, large hail will continue to be a threat as cells remain
somewhat discrete. Timing wise, strong to severe convection will be
starting as soon as 3 PM in far north-central MN and move east-
southeast through the region this afternoon and evening. Any
strong to severe thunderstorms should be downstream of the CWA
around midnight tonight.

All severe thunderstorm hazards will be possible this afternoon and
evening, expect for flash flooding. The primary concern is very
large hail, which is forecast to be up to 3 inches in diameter
across the MN portions of the CWA and adjacent counties in northwest
WI. Damaging winds up to 70 mph are also a concern today, as model
soundings show dry air in the low-levels and DCAPE values of around
1000-1500 J/kg. While the potential is low, a tornado or two also
can't be ruled out this afternoon and early evening as 0-1km SRH
increases to around 100-150 m2/s2. The one limiting factor to the
tornado potential today will be somewhat high LCL heights of around
2000 feet AGL in the area where discrete supercells are most likely
in far north-central MN. LCL heights will be lowering to around 350-
750 feet AGL farther east late this afternoon and evening, but with
storm mode becoming more linear, this will lessen the tornado
threat. Flash flooding is unlikely to occur today as the strong to
severe thunderstorms will be fairly progressive across the CWA.

Thursday into Friday:

Cooler temps are expected tomorrow following the cold frontal
passage tonight. Scattered showers will be possible, mainly in the
Arrowhead. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon hours will be
possible, but severe weather is not expected. Quiet conditions
develop on Friday as high pressure builds over the Northern Plains.

Weekend into early next week:

Low pressure developing in the lee of the Rockies Friday evening
will propagate into the Upper Midwest on Saturday. This will be
bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms through much of the
weekend. Strong WAA occurring over the weekend will result in high
temps on Sunday reaching into the low to mid 80s with uncomfortable
dewpoints in the 60s. Monday will see shower and thunderstorm
activity continue as a strong shortwave trough propagates eastward
through the central CONUS. There are early indications that Monday's
system could bring strong to severe thunderstorms, especially in
north-central MN. However, it is still too early for specifics.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 616 PM CDT Wed Jun 12 2024

Severe thunderstorms continue to move east to southeastward
through 03-04Z Thursday today, with wind gusts to 45 knots, very
large hail around 2 inches in diameter and a few tornadoes
possible mainly in northeast Minnesota through 02Z today. After
the storms move east of the area by 05Z, expect only lingering
isolated general thunderstorms and scattered showers overnight.
Winds shift to westerly behind the line of thunderstorms and
shift northwesterly by Friday morning. Another round of
scattered showers and non-severe storms drop southward first
from the Borderlands and into the MN Hwy 210 corridor from
15-21Z Thurs.

&&

.MARINE /FOR NEAR SHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/...
Issued at 140 PM CDT Wed Jun 12 2024

Strong to severe storms may produce hail and gusty winds across
western Lake Superior this late afternoon and evening ahead of a
cold front. Following the cold frontal passage, winds increase out
of the northwest on Thursday with gusts to near 20 knots - a Small
Craft Advisory may be needed. Winds weaken Thursday evening into
Friday as an area of high pressure builds across the Upper Great
Lakes. This weekend into early next week a more active weather
pattern develops with a few chances for precipitation.

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

&&

.DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...None.
WI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM CDT this evening for LSZ121-
     145>148-150.

&&

DISCUSSION...Unruh
AVIATION...NLy
MARINE...JJM
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 12, 6:22 PM CDT, 1 hour 20 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Duluth MN
622 PM CDT Wed Jun 12 2024

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-132330-
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-
622 PM CDT Wed Jun 12 2024

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Numerous severe thunderstorms are ongoing this evening and are
expected through 11 pm early tonight. Very large hail around 2 to
2 and a half inches in diameter have been observed and a tornado
or two are also possible, especially across north central and
northeast Minnesota. The strongest storms will have the potential
to produce wind gusts up to 60 mph.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

An active weather pattern is expected to resume starting Saturday
and continuing into early next week. Some stronger to severe
storms possible Sunday, as well as some heavy rainfall and minor
flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

LSZ121-140>148-150-132330-
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-
622 PM CDT Wed Jun 12 2024

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Numerous severe thunderstorms are possible through 10 pm. Storms
will be capable of very large hail potentially up to 3 inches in
diameter and wind gusts in excess of 50 knots.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Gusty westerly winds with gusts up to 20 to 25 knots on Thursday,
with the best potential in the Twin Ports.

An active weather pattern is expected to resume starting Saturday
and continuing into early next week. There are some signals on
Sunday for the possibility of stronger to severe storms.

NLy

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

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 12, 6:40 PM CDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Duluth MN
640 PM CDT Wed Jun 12 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0625 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 N Breezy Point        46.66N 94.23W
06/12/2024                   Crow Wing          MN   Storm Chaser

            Reports heavy damage. Powerlines down across
            road, damage to siding and roofs, and
            numerous trees down. Time estimated.

&&

KLL
Local storm report, Jun 12, 6:44 PM CDT, 58 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jun 12, 6:47 PM CDT, 55 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jun 12, 6:49 PM CDT, 53 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jun 12, 6:53 PM CDT, 49 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jun 12, 6:54 PM CDT, 48 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 12, 7:04 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningDLH56 min
Jun 12, 7:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDLHSaint Louis24 min
Jun 12, 7:13 PM CDTTornado WarningDLHAitkin32 min
Jun 12, 7:20 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningDLH55 min
Jun 12, 7:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDLHCarlton, Pine, Saint Louis38 min
Jun 12, 7:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDLHAitkin, Carlton, Crow Wing, Pine48 min
Jun 12, 7:43 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryDLHAitkin, Carlton, Crow Wing, Pine3 hr
Jun 12, 7:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHLake27 min
Jun 12, 8:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDLHAitkin, Carlton, Pine49 min
Jun 12, 8:12 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningDLH63 min
Jun 12, 8:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDLHPine19 min
Jun 12, 9:04 PM CDTSmall Craft AdvisoryDLH22 hr
Jun 12, 9:51 PM CDTMarine Dense Fog AdvisoryDLH12 hr
Jun 12, 11:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHKoochiching31 min
Jun 12, 11:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHItasca27 min
Jun 13, 12:21 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHItasca24 min
Jun 13, 12:37 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHItasca23 min
Jun 13, 12:42 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDLHItasca48 min
Jun 13, 1:25 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDLHItasca, Saint Louis35 min
Jun 12, 9:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHSawyer30 min
Jun 12, 9:43 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDLHSawyer32 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.