Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 60, NWS Grand Forks, ND
NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 29, 2026, 11:22 AM CDT for Otter Tail County, Wadena County, Minnesota. It was in force for 53 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 29, 2026, 11:22 AM CDT (16:22 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 29, 2026, 12:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 53 min
- Issued by
- NWS Grand Forks, ND
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Possible
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Hail
- 1.25 in
- Wind
- 70.0 mph
Counties Otter Tail County, MN, Wadena County, MN
The radar
The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 189 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:23 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 29, 5:58 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
| Jun 29, 10:13 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 4.4 hours before the alert went out and 228 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 4091 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -58 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 703 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 34 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 220 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 285 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 3.3
- Supercell composite
- 20.3
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jun 29, 6:28 AM CDT, 4 hours 54 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Isolated severe storms early this morning, then additional scattered storms later today. All hazards are possible Monday.
- Heat Advisory in effect Monday: Noon to 8pm for the Southern Red River Valley and west central Minnesota.
- Potential for heat impacts mid-week and into the Fourth of July weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 29, 6:28 AM CDT, 4 hours 54 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
628 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Isolated severe storms early this morning, then additional
scattered storms later today. All hazards are possible
Monday.
- Heat Advisory in effect Monday: Noon to 8pm for the Southern
Red River Valley and west central Minnesota.
- Potential for heat impacts mid-week and into the Fourth of
July weekend.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued at 628 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026
Updates this morning include a severe thunderstorm watch for
southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota. Severe
thunderstorms are currently ongoing in central South Dakota,
and will continue to move rapidly to the northeast this morning.
Wind gusts over 100 mph have been reported with these storms,
and while there is some uncertainty regarding their strength
once they enter southeast North Dakota, it is worth noting that
the environment remains rather supportive of severe
thunderstorms through much of the day.
UPDATE
Issued at 316 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026
Storms that developed over central ND have moved into the Devils
Lake Basin, with one particularly strong supercell tracking
through the area. Currently on a downward swing in strength, but
will continue to monitor as it continues to track northeastward,
exiting off into Canada during the next few hours. Our far
southern counties could see some impacts from a thunderstorm
complex coming out of SD, probably after sunrise. After that
activity passes through, there could be additional thunderstorm
development as low pressure deepens over the Red River Valley
tomorrow.
UPDATE
Issued at 958 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026
Thunderstorms have largely failed to materialize across eastern
ND this evening though a cluster in central ND may eventually
propagate NE into the Devils Lake Basin if they become more
surface based in follow the Bunkers Right vector. Otherwise
storms should remain west of our area until near sunrise when a
cluster/line of thunderstorms will move into our southern
forecast area with wind (potentially significant if you trust
solutions like the HRRR) and large hail as well.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 331 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026
...Synopsis...
Well established upper trough over the northern High Plains into
southern BC/AB is promoting southwesterly flow aloft over the
Northern Plains into Upper Midwest, with an expansive upper
ridge over the eastern half of the CONUS. This pattern is
promoting moderate to very strong instability over portions of
the Dakotas and Minnesota, along with moderate to strong
available shear to organize thunderstorms should they develop.
This will provide ingredients for severe storms to develop
tonight and/or Monday. More details on these below.
There is potential for heat related impacts Monday afternoon as
very high moisture (upper 70s dew points) combine with
temperatures into the 80s, perhaps low 90s, in the southern Red
River Valley into west-central MN. Later in the week,
additional heat-related impacts are possible. This includes the
Fourth of July weekend.
...Severe storm potential tonight...
Despite favorable instability and shear parameter spacing, there
is a general lack of focused ascent to spark and sustain severe
storms this afternoon. Thus, general trend in our messaging has
been to omit severe risk from this afternoon. During the
overnight, focus for ascent may become more prevalent near
central ND, perhaps allowing some isolated elevated supercells
into northeast ND early tonight. This activity would be capable
of hail to the size of golfball before quickly pushing into
Canada. Couldn't rule out severe storms moving into southeast ND
from SD late tonight / early morning Monday. Should this occur,
very large hail in excess of 2 inches may be possible, as well
as very gusty winds to 80 mph. This scenario is low in
confidence, however.
...Severe storm potential Monday...
While there is a deft in features to help force thunderstorms to
life today, much better forcing will come tonight and Monday as
a surface low pressure deepens within the eastern Dakotas,
propagating northward into Canada by Monday afternoon.
Additionally, richer low level moisture (comprised of surface
dew points in the mid to upper 70s) will likely overspread
portions of eastern ND and northwest into west-central MN. This
is also a result of the jet aloft overspreading these regions,
increasing overall shear.
Latest guidance offers a couple of scenarios that could unfold:
1) Well developed severe storms move out of South Dakota into
eastern ND traveling northeast. These storms would be capable
of large hail (perhaps very large hail in excess of 2 inches)
and gusty winds (perhaps very gusty winds up to 80 mph). These
storms start elevated in altitude and nature, becoming more
surface based into the afternoon. This would eventually
introduce potential for tornadoes among other hazards like large
hail and gusty winds. Given the very unstable airmass and
strong shear, couldn't rule out strong tornadoes (EF-2+).
Thunderstorms begin to exit to the north and east late afternoon
into early evening.
2) Overnight thunderstorms within SD diminish before reaching
ND, allowing a lull period in the morning. This is before
robust thunderstorm development near the surface low that
propagates north through our area by early afternoon. This
activity will likely reach severe thresholds, potentially
significantly severe - especially if storms can remain more
discrete and surface based. This would keep large to very large
hail and risk for tornadoes at the forefront of hazards, with an
attendant isolated damaging wind risk as well. In this
scenario, strong tornadoes again can't be ruled out (EF-2+).
Again, both scenarios hold the risk for tornadoes (potentially
strong). At this time, relatively higher chance for tornadoes
exists near and just ahead of the surface low within northeast
ND to northwest MN during the afternoon.
Uncertainty still exists in overall convective evolution that
would dictate storm mode as well as whether or not storms would
be more surface based or elevated. More elevated storms would
have a hail-forward hazard, whereas surface based storms would
allow for all hazards.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 628 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026
Conditions this morning range from VFR at KDVL to IFR at KBJI.
Today's impacts will depend heavily on convective activity,
which will enter the area starting around 13-14Z.
IMPACTS POSSIBLE THIS MORNING. A complex of severe
thunderstorms could impact KFAR this morning, with a chance for
damaging wind gusts associated with this line of severe storms.
Added a TEMPO for this feature due to the intensity of the
ongoing system, as well as the impact chances. This same complex
will move northeast into the vicinity of KBJI if it is able to
stay organized. Although it should be weakening, aviation
impacts are possible between 17Z and 20Z depending on the
forward speed. Amendments will follow as we gauge the
progression of the system.
Additional strong to severe thunderstorms are expected across
the region today, outside of this morning's severe thunderstorm
complex. This could potentially impact most TAF sites this
afternoon as coverage is expected to be scattered. Hazards today
could include damaging wind gusts, large hail, and isolated
tornadoes.
&&
.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
NDZ039-053.
MN...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
MNZ002-003-024-027>032-040.
&&
UPDATE...Lynch/JR/TT
DISCUSSION...CJ
AVIATION...LynchHazardous weather outlook, Jun 29, 7:33 AM CDT, 3 hours 49 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 733 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026 MNZ001-004>009-013>017-023-024-032-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-026>030- 038-054-301245- West Polk-Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-West Marshall- East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake-East Polk- North Clearwater-South Beltrami-South Clearwater-Hubbard-Wadena- Towner-Cavalier-Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh-Eddy-Nelson- Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Western Walsh- 733 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight There is a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms late this morning through late this afternoon. Hazards could include large hail up to the size of golf balls, damaging wind gusts to 75 mph, and isolated tornadoes. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Showers and thunderstorms return late this week. Potential for heat impacts next week, including the Fourth of July weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required today. MNZ002-003-022-027>031-040-NDZ039-049-052-053-301245- Norman-Clay-Mahnomen-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin- West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Grant-Cass-Ransom-Sargent- Richland- 733 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight There is a 3 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms this morning through early afternoon, with hazards including damaging wind gusts of 75 mph or higher, and large hail. Heat Advisory in effect Monday: Noon to 8pm for the Southern Red River Valley and west central Minnesota. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Showers and thunderstorms return late this week. Potential for heat impacts next week, including the Fourth of July weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required today.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jun 29, 9:55 AM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
955 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0940 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 W Tenney 46.04N 96.49W
06/29/2026 M64 MPH Wilkin MN Mesonet
Mesonet station MN054 Tenney MN DOT.
&&
LeeLocal storm report, Jun 29, 10:13 AM CDT, 1 hour 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1013 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1003 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 W Foxhome 46.28N 96.35W
06/29/2026 M62 MPH Wilkin MN Public
&&
LeeLocal storm report, Jun 29, 10:33 AM CDT, 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1033 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0910 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Lidgerwood 46.07N 97.15W
06/29/2026 Richland ND Public
Tree downed...time estimated from radar.
&&
LeeLocal storm report, Jun 29, 10:45 AM CDT, 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1045 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1035 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 W Fergus Falls 46.28N 96.15W
06/28/2026 M56 MPH Otter Tail MN AWOS
AWOS station KFFM Fergus Falls AP MN.
&&
LeeLocal storm report, Jun 29, 11:12 AM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1112 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1038 AM Hail 5 S Dent 46.48N 95.72W
06/29/2026 M1.25 Inch Otter Tail MN Public
Hail at Dead Lake...time estimated from
radar.
&&
LeeLocal storm report, Jun 29, 11:19 AM CDT, 3 minutes before
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</html>The office that day
Everything else NWS Grand Forks, ND issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 29, 8:40 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Wilkin | 50 min |
| Jun 29, 9:28 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Clay, Grant, Otter Tail, Wilkin | 62 min |
| Jun 29, 10:06 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Grant, Otter Tail, Wilkin | 54 min |
| Jun 29, 10:29 AM CDT | Wind Advisory | FGF | Wilkin | 91 min |
| Jun 29, 10:37 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Becker, Otter Tail, Wadena | 53 min |
| Jun 29, 11:26 AM CDT | High Wind Warning | FGF | Becker, Clay, Otter Tail | 59 min |
| Jun 29, 11:33 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | FGF | Wadena | 27 min |
| Jun 29, 1:33 PM CDT | Wind Advisory | FGF | Beltrami, Hubbard, Wadena | 87 min |
| Jun 28, 11:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Benson | 55 min |
| Jun 29, 12:11 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Towner | 49 min |
| Jun 29, 12:55 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Benson, Ramsey, Towner | 65 min |
| Jun 29, 1:54 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Benson, Ramsey, Towner | 66 min |
| Jun 29, 2:18 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | FGF | Ramsey | 42 min |
| Jun 29, 2:53 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Cavalier, Ramsey, Towner | 67 min |
| Jun 29, 4:56 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Pembina | 34 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Minnesota, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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.