Alert archive / Minnesota / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 6, NWS Grand Forks, ND

September 7, 2026Kittson County, Minnesota

NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this flash flood warning at Sep 7, 2026, 6:07 PM CDT for Kittson County, Minnesota. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Sep 7, 2026, 6:07 PM CDT (23:07 UTC)
Expired
Sep 7, 2026, 9:22 PM CDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Grand Forks, ND
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Kittson County, MN

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 149 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:08 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

International Fa, MN (KINL), launched 12:00Z, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 265 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, International Fa, MN at 12:00Z on 2026-09-07Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 195 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, International Fa, MN at 12:00Z on 2026-09-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 75 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
195 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-80 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
686 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
75 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
120 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

087 
WGUS53 KFGF 072307
FFWFGF
MNC069-080400-
/O.NEW.KFGF.FF.W.0006.260907T2307Z-260908T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
607 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Central Kittson County in northwestern Minnesota...

* Until 1100 PM CDT.

* At 607 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain
  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible
  in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
  shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Hallock and Lancaster.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law
enforcement and request they pass this information to the National
Weather Service when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 4880 9703 4896 9680 4888 9666 4872 9691

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Thomas
1 follow-up statement
127 
WGUS73 KFGF 080222
FFSFGF

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
922 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026

MNC069-080232-
/O.CAN.KFGF.FF.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260908T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kittson MN-
922 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR CENTRAL KITTSON COUNTY...

Flood waters have receded. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 4880 9703 4896 9680 4888 9666 4872 9691

$$

Thomas

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Grand Forks, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Sep 7, 3:28 PM CDT, 2 hours 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • There is a level 1 out of 5 risk for severe storms today. The main impacts for any storms that become severe will be golf ball sized hail and winds to 60 mph, with a lower risk for a tornado in the Devils Lake Basin.
  • Heavy rainfall with any slower moving thunderstorms may lead to localized flooding in poor drainage areas this afternoon into the overnight.
  • Windy conditions develop Tuesday with wind gusts to 50 mph across parts of northeast North Dakota and the northern Red River Valley in Minnesota.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 7, 3:28 PM CDT, 2 hours 39 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
328 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- There is a level 1 out of 5 risk for severe storms today. The
  main impacts for any storms that become severe will be golf
  ball sized hail and winds to 60 mph, with a lower risk for a
  tornado in the Devils Lake Basin.

- Heavy rainfall with any slower moving thunderstorms may lead
  to localized flooding in poor drainage areas this afternoon
  into the overnight.

- Windy conditions develop Tuesday with wind gusts to 50 mph
  across parts of northeast North Dakota and the northern Red
  River Valley in Minnesota.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 328 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026

...Synopsis...

SW Flow is in place across the Northern Plains head of a
stronger mid/upper trough/upper level low located over the
Northern Rockies. This upper low tracks east and deepens over
the Canadian Prairies and passes north of our region through
Tuesday. There is more variation in details beyond Tuesday
regarding any shortwave trough passages and rain
coverage/chances, though we still remain on the warmer side of
temperatures despite a shift towards west-northwest flow on the
back side of this trough. The general trend is for a much more
substantial shift in flow aloft favoring decreasing heights and
temperatures by the end of next week and next weekend (highs in
the 60s). The most likely periods of impactful weather will be
associated with the trough passage tonight and Tuesday
(thunderstorms then wind).

...Severe Thunderstorm and Heavy Rain Risk...

Ongoing showers and embedded thunderstorms have remain weaker in
a much more elevated airmass featuring skinny CAPE profiles
but strong effective shear. Current activity developed with the
nose of a LLJ and elevated WAA in the 850-700 MB layer and
besides heavy rain/lighting it may only feature a marginal hail
threat. Expansive cloud cover is also lingering, which may lower
our window for surface based thunderstorms during the afternoon
and evening.

Surface pattern indicates surface troughing over western ND, with
several fronts intersecting near Dickinson. The deepening of this
surface low and position/timing of these fronts before sunset
will be critical for any potential supercell development to
our west that may track into the Devils Lake Basin/eastern ND
during the evening hours. Forcing is much more diffuse before
the main trough starts shifting east later this
evening/overnight, so coverage/initiation carries more
uncertain. Still, within the warm sector where clearing develops
decent instability profiles may coincide with strongly veered
hodographs/strong shear favorable of supercells and a
conditional risk for hail around the size of golf balls and a
conditions risk for tornado development. Some CAMs (mainly runs
of the HRRR) have supported supercell developing to our west and
potentially tracking east into our west. The farther east and
the later activity lingers/tracks activity will tend to become
weaker with more of a marginal hail risk.

Higher PWATs in place raises potential for heavy rain rates with
thunderstorm activity once again as with previous days, and any
slower moving/training clusters could lead to localized
flooding.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1250 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026

Highly variable flight conditions are expected through this
evening and overnight as lingering MVFR (pockets of IFR)
stratus slowly break up through the early afternoon becoming
VFR, while clusters of showers and thunderstorms track west to
east through the afternoon and evening. Coverage of
thunderstorms will also vary, with the potential for a lull
before redevelopment occurs. Brief MVFR or IFR may occur with
thunderstorm activity, with some potential for severe storms
mainly during the evening hours in ND. Tendency should be for
prevailing VFR after the thunderstorm activity ends in ND,
however parts of MN remain in the moist air mass ahead of a
frontal zone and MVFR or IFR stratus is more likely to redevelop
there Sunday morning before clearing with daytime mixing.

Southeast winds periodically gusting around 25kt are expected
into the early evening before decreasing and shifting as a front
moves through the region. Winds increase from the southwest
then west Sunday, and wind gusts 30kt or greater become likely
by the afternoon in ND and parts of northwest MN.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 7 PM CDT Tuesday for NDZ006>008-
     014>016-024-026>030-054.
MN...Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 7 PM CDT Tuesday for MNZ001-004-
     007.

&&

DISCUSSION...DJR
AVIATION...DJR
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 7, 2:43 PM CDT, 3 hours 24 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
243 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026

NDZ006-014-015-024-081945-
Towner-Benson-Ramsey-Eddy-
243 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North
Dakota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

There is a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms for
parts of the Devils Lake Basin late this afternoon into the
evening hours. Potential impacts include hail to the size of golf
balls, wind gusts to 60 mph, and a lower risk for a tornado or
two.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Westerly winds gusting to 50 mph are expected Tuesday afternoon
across the Devils Lake Basin.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required today.

MNZ001-004-007-NDZ007-008-016-026>030-054-081945-
West Polk-Kittson-West Marshall-Cavalier-Pembina-Eastern Walsh-
Nelson-Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Western Walsh-
243 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North
Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

There is a level 1 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms late
this afternoon into the evening hours. Large hail and damaging
winds would be the main threat, with locally heavy rain
potentially leading to localized flooding in poor drainage areas.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Westerly winds gusting to 50 mph are expected Tuesday afternoon
across northeast North Dakota and parts of the northern Red River
Valley in Minnesota.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required today.

MNZ002-003-005-006-008-009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ038-039-
049-052-053-081945-
Norman-Clay-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-East Marshall-North Beltrami-
Pennington-Red Lake-East Polk-North Clearwater-South Beltrami-
Mahnomen-South Clearwater-Hubbard-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin-
West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-
Sargent-Richland-
243 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North
Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

There is a level 1 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms late
this afternoon into the evening hours for parts of the region.
Large hail and damaging winds would be the main threat, with
locally heavy rain potentially leading to localized flooding in
poor drainage areas.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required today.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 7, 5:35 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
535 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026

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

0600 PM     Flash Flood      Richville               46.50N 95.63W
09/06/2026                   Otter Tail         MN   Public

            Delayed Report: Facebook image showed
            significant standing water in yards. MRMS
            estimates 4-5 inches having fallen by this
            point.

0800 PM     Flash Flood      6 ESE Hallock           48.75N 96.83W
09/06/2026                   Kittson            MN   Public

            Delayed Report: Facebook images/video show
            significant standing water and some running
            water in ditches but no sign of water over
            roads. Homeowner compared this to a moderate
            spring flood in terms of impacts with full
            ditches and water up to barns. Onset time
            estimated from radar/MRMS with 4-5 inches
            having fallen at this point compared to only
            about 2 at the previous hour.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Grand Forks, ND issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 6, 7:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBeltrami, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Roseau63 min
Sep 6, 7:34 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryFGFKittson23 min
Sep 6, 7:57 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningFGFKittson5 hr
Sep 7, 1:13 PM CDTWind AdvisoryFGFKittson, Marshall, Polk30 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Minnesota, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

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.