Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 72, NWS Grand Forks, ND

July 3, 2026Clearwater County, Mahnomen County, Polk County, Minnesota

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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, International Fa, MN at 12:00Z on 2026-07-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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 2026-07-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 24 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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

$$

Perroux
2 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

$$

Perroux
274 
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 

$$

Perroux

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 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.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 3, 5:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBeltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard62 min
Jul 3, 6:20 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementFGFHubbard25 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.