Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 72, NWS Grand Forks, ND
NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 3, 2026, 4:33 PM CDT for Clearwater County, Mahnomen County, Polk County, Minnesota. It was in force for 57 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
- Jul 3, 2026, 4:33 PM CDT (21:33 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 3, 2026, 5:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 57 min
- Issued by
- NWS Grand Forks, ND
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 50.0 mph
Counties Clearwater County, MN, Mahnomen County, MN, Polk County, MN
The radar
The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 138 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:33 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 severe thunderstorm 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, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 200 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 714 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 24 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 77 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
068
WUUS53 KFGF 032133
SVRFGF
MNC029-087-119-032230-
/O.NEW.KFGF.SV.W.0072.260703T2133Z-260703T2230Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
433 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026
The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern Polk County in northwestern Minnesota...
Northeastern Mahnomen County in northwestern Minnesota...
Central Clearwater County in northwestern Minnesota...
* Until 530 PM CDT.
* At 433 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Fosston to near Ebro to near Upper Rice Lake,
moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.
* Locations impacted include...
Fosston, Bagley, Island Lake in Mahnomen County, Shevlin, Lengby,
Pine Bend, and Ebro.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4738 9542 4750 9588 4772 9584 4763 9545
4753 9518 4751 9518
TIME...MOT...LOC 2133Z 259DEG 7KT 4756 9581 4752 9557 4743 9538
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH
$$
Perroux2 follow-up statements
867
WWUS53 KFGF 032155
SVSFGF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
455 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026
MNC029-087-119-032230-
/O.CON.KFGF.SV.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260703T2230Z/
Polk MN-Mahnomen MN-Clearwater MN-
455 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN POLK...NORTHEASTERN MAHNOMEN AND CENTRAL CLEARWATER
COUNTIES...
At 455 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Fosston to near Ebro to near Upper Rice Lake, moving
east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.
Locations impacted include...
Fosston, Bagley, Island Lake in Mahnomen County, Shevlin, Lengby,
Pine Bend, and Ebro.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4738 9542 4750 9588 4772 9584 4763 9545
4753 9518 4751 9518
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 270DEG 7KT 4757 9575 4753 9551 4744 9532
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH
$$
Perroux274
WWUS53 KFGF 032220
SVSFGF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
520 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026
MNC029-087-119-032230-
/O.EXP.KFGF.SV.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260703T2230Z/
Polk MN-Mahnomen MN-Clearwater MN-
520 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN POLK...
NORTHEASTERN MAHNOMEN AND CENTRAL CLEARWATER COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT
530 PM CDT...
The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe
limits, and no longer pose an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, small
hail is still possible with these thunderstorms.
&&
LAT...LON 4738 9542 4750 9588 4772 9584 4763 9545
4753 9518 4751 9518
TIME...MOT...LOC 2220Z 259DEG 7KT 4758 9568 4754 9544 4745 9525
$$
PerrouxWhat 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 Jul 3, 3:58 PM CDT, 35 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Isolated strong to severe storms in the southern Red River Valley into lakes country of west- central and north-central Minnesota. The main hazards will be hail to the size of quarters and gusty winds to 55 mph.
- Fourth of July afternoon holds medium chance for widely scattered thunderstorms. Main hazard is lightning, with very low chance of storms being severe.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 3, 3:58 PM CDT, 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 358 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated strong to severe storms in the southern Red River Valley into lakes country of west- central and north-central Minnesota. The main hazards will be hail to the size of quarters and gusty winds to 55 mph. - Fourth of July afternoon holds medium chance for widely scattered thunderstorms. Main hazard is lightning, with very low chance of storms being severe. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 324 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026 ...Synopsis... Broad, weak upper troughing in the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains will provide transient forcing aloft, while also keeping sufficient moisture and instability for thunderstorm chances this and tomorrow afternoons into early evenings. Coverage is expected to be isolated to scattered given lackluster forcing overall. A few storms may be strong to severe, mainly in Minnesota, this afternoon. While there is medium chance for storms Fourth of July afternoon/early evening, strong to severe storms are not anticipated at this time - mainly due to lack of shear and better forcing. Into next week, this upper troughing flattens with the approach of an upper jet into the Pacific Northwest, concurrent with upper ridging attempting to build in the Southwest by late next week. This places the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest toward the northern periphery of the eventual upper ridging. This pattern shift starts with a cold front to move through the region Monday, offering perhaps more widespread coverage of showers and storms. This includes potential for storms to be strong to perhaps severe, although more likely to be on the lower end-severe if at all. Embedded impulses of energy moving through the flow mid to late next week will offer almost daily opportunities for showers and storms, although uncertainty exists in moisture availability for thunderstorms behind Monday's cold front. This is also nearing the end of the predictability horizon with respect to thunderstorm details. ...Strong to severe storm potential this afternoon... SPC Day 1 Convective Outlook lowered coverage of the level 1 of 5 risk area, confined now to portions of north-central, west- central MN, and southern Red River Valley. Isolated strong to severe storms remain possible within this area, capable of small hail up to 1 inch and gusts to 40-55 mph. Warm low level and slightly above average overall moisture availability may allow for brief heavy rain, potentially leading to isolated minor flooding - especially if this occurs over urban area (e.g. Bemidji). This area generally holds today's thunderstorm chances with help from low level convergence concurrent with weak, transient mid level wave moving northeast out of SD. With overall instability will be on the weak to moderate side and little if any shear to organize storms, storms are expected to follow the mean flow toward the east-northeast, with tendency to also propagate toward their outflow boundaries. Additionally, expecting storms to behave in a pulse-like fashion. ...Fourth of July... Weak to perhaps moderate instability still should remain across the region for the 4th of July, but the upper flow pattern again is very weak. Due to the ongoing festivities and outdoor activities for the 4th, we do want to note that there is the potential for heavy rainfall/showers and thunderstorms. However, there is very high uncertainty in the scope of showers and thunderstorms as this will largely depend on antecedent convection dropping outflow boundaries/convergent zones. With the lack of flow aloft as well, storms may be stationary in some locations, so minor flooding couldn't be ruled out, especially if this occurs over urban landscapes. Overall this carries very low predictability. There is currently a 40% chance of showers/storms by the afternoon across the entire area, although the spatial extent of storms should remain scattered. Severe storm potential is very low thanks to very weak shear and lack of better forcing. Heat impacts are not expected with temperatures in the 70s to low 80s, dew points in the low 60s, and generally partly to mostly cloudy skies keeping sun-related impacts low. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1249 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026 VFR conditions are forecast within the TAF period through 06Z. Mix of high altitude clouds and lower cumulus (still VFR) will continue this afternoon into early evening. Afternoon thunderstorms are forecast in portions of southeast ND into west-central and northwest MN. Included PROB30 at KBJI for thunderstorm potential. Storms may be strong capable of producing small hail and erratic, brief gusty winds between 40 to 50 kt, in addition to lightning. After 06Z, there is a low to medium chance for MVFR to perhaps IFR ceilings, although confidence is not high in this occurring. Relatively highest chance to this occur resides in eastern ND (including KDVL) and central MN (including KBJI). There is also a low chance for fog to develop between 08Z-14Z, including potential for dense fog - this also is low in confidence. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && DISCUSSION...CJ/Perroux AVIATION...CJ
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 3, 3:35 PM CDT, 58 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 335 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026 MNZ004>008-013-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-026>030-038-049-052-054- 042045- Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-West Marshall-East Marshall- Pennington-Towner-Cavalier-Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh- Eddy-Nelson-Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Ransom- Sargent-Western Walsh- 335 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Isolated thunderstorms expected across the region this afternoon. The main hazard will be lightning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Isolated thunderstorms may develop Fourth of July afternoon and early evening. Main hazard will be lightning Daily thunderstorm chances exist next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated today. MNZ001>003-009-014>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ039-053-042045- West Polk-Norman-Clay-North Beltrami-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-Cass-Richland- 335 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 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 in the southern Red River Valley into lakes country of west-central and north-central Minnesota. The main hazards will be hail to the size of quarters and gusty winds to 55 mph. General storm motion...Moving toward the east at 20 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Isolated thunderstorms may develop Fourth of July afternoon and early evening. Main hazard will be lightning. Daily thunderstorm chances exist next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required today.
The office that day
Everything else NWS Grand Forks, ND issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 3, 5:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard | 62 min |
| Jul 3, 6:20 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Hubbard | 25 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.