Alert archive / Minnesota / Special Weather Statements in 2026
Special Weather Statement, NWS Grand Forks, ND
NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this special weather statement at Aug 7, 2026, 7:49 AM CDT for Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It was in force for 26 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Aug 7, 2026, 7:49 AM CDT (12:49 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 7, 2026, 8:15 AM CDT
- In force
- 26 min
- Issued by
- NWS Grand Forks, ND
- Hail
- 0.88 in
- Wind
- 30
County Otter Tail County, MN
The radar
The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 197 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:49 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 7, 8:00 AM CDT | HAIL 0.75 | Henning, MN |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 217 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
- 506 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -343 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1332 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 33 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 211 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 250 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.3
The text
As transmitted.
577 WWUS83 KFGF 071249 SPSFGF Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 749 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 MNZ031-071315- East Otter Tail MN- 749 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL OTTER TAIL COUNTY THROUGH 815 AM CDT... At 748 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Henning, or 27 miles east of Fergus Falls, moving east at 25 mph. HAZARD...Nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... Henning, Deer Creek, and Bluffton. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. && LAT...LON 4627 9554 4636 9558 4654 9516 4628 9516 TIME...MOT...LOC 1248Z 258DEG 22KT 4634 9551 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH $$ TG
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this special weather statement 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 special weather statement went out at Aug 7, 3:17 AM CDT, 4 hours 32 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Next thunderstorm chance is Sunday night in southeast North Dakota. Severe weather is not anticipated.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 7, 3:17 AM CDT, 4 hours 32 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 317 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Next thunderstorm chance is Sunday night in southeast North Dakota. Severe weather is not anticipated. && .UPDATE... Issued at 313 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 Cold front located from near Bemidji thru Detroit Lakes to in between Wahpeton and Fargo. No precipitation has formed along the front as of 08z. However behind the front some mid level CU has grown in height and is producer a shower/t-storms just southwest of the radar site near Mayville. So will keep an eye on this. May need a few hour pop for this behind the front activity. From SPC meso page the activity is closely aligned to 850 mb cold front and an area of 35 kt 0-6 km shear. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 235 PM CDT Thu Aug 6 2026 ...Synopsis... Fairly strong shortwave moving through Manitoba will help push a surface trough and cold front down into ND and MN tonight. The front should be past all but our far southeastern counties by tomorrow morning, with weak surface high pressure building in behind the boundary for Friday. Northwesterly flow aloft for Saturday, with a few of the ensemble members bringing a weak embedded shortwave and breaking out some precipitation. CAPE values from the ensemble average out to around 600 J/kg so if anything does develop severe impacts are not expected. Northwesterly flow aloft with some additional weak embedded shortwaves moving through continues into the upcoming work week. Currently the best probabilities for precipitation over a tenth of an inch is Sunday night/Monday, but timing and placement could change with such minor shortwaves. ...Shower and thunderstorm chances this afternoon and night... Models continue to show a narrow band of instability out ahead of the cold front this afternoon across southeastern ND into western MN. SPC meso analysis has about 500 J/kg, and with a few more hours of heating ML CAPE could get into the quadruple digits. Shear is around 30 kts, but a weak shortwave could get a few cells going that could produce some lightning, brief downpours, and even a bit of small hail or gusts to 50 mph. The cold front will drop through later tonight, with some additional elevated thunderstorms possible but most of the CAMs keep precipitation post frontal and unimpressive. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1151 PM CDT Thu Aug 6 2026 A wind shift to the north is occurring at terminals early tonight as a cold front slides southeastward. A brief period of wind gusts will follow the frontal passage overnight, before winds die back down. The north to northwest winds will persist throughout the remainder of the TAF period, increasing again Friday late morning, with a couple of terminals acquiring gusts by afternoon. Before the frontal passage there is a brief window for LLWS at KFAR and KBJI during the first couple of hours of the TAF. Ceilings will remain VFR throughout the TAF period. Afternoon cumulus may develop Friday afternoon, therefore added in SCT050 at all terminals. Winds will decrease around sunset on Friday, becoming light and variable. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && UPDATE...CJ/Riddle/JR DISCUSSION...JR AVIATION...Rafferty
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 7, 5:45 AM CDT, 2 hours 4 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 545 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024- 026>030-038-039-049-052>054-081045- West Polk-Norman-Clay-Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods- West Marshall-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-Towner-Cavalier- Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh-Eddy-Nelson-Grand Forks- Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland- Western Walsh- 545 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated today.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Aug 7, 3:35 AM CDT, 4 hours 14 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
335 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
MNZ001-002-015-NDZ030-070915-
West Polk MN-Norman MN-East Polk MN-Traill ND-
335 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN NORMAN...SOUTH CENTRAL
POLK AND SOUTHEASTERN TRAILL COUNTIES THROUGH 415 AM CDT...
At 334 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of thunderstorms
in Traill county about 5 miles north of Hillsboro, moving east at 45
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hillsboro, Fertile, Shelly, Beltrami, Nielsville, Lockhart, and
Cummings.
This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 99 and 114.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4732 9716 4751 9725 4771 9629 4743 9619
TIME...MOT...LOC 0834Z 256DEG 39KT 4750 9688
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RiddleSpecial weather statement, Aug 7, 4:13 AM CDT, 3 hours 36 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
413 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
MNZ001-015-016-071000-
West Polk MN-East Polk MN-North Clearwater MN-
413 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN POLK AND
NORTHWESTERN CLEARWATER COUNTIES THROUGH 500 AM CDT...
At 413 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Maple Bay, or 32 miles south of Thief River Falls, moving east at 55
mph.
HAZARD...Nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.
Locations impacted include...
McIntosh, Clearbrook, Erskine, Gonvick, Mentor, and Maple Bay.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4767 9534 4750 9640 4750 9645 4766 9654
4776 9608 4776 9584 4782 9583 4789 9549
TIME...MOT...LOC 0913Z 251DEG 47KT 4764 9618
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
RiddleSpecial weather statement, Aug 7, 4:45 AM CDT, 3 hours 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
445 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
MNZ015>017-022-023-071030-
Mahnomen MN-South Clearwater MN-East Polk MN-North Clearwater MN-
South Beltrami MN-
445 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN POLK...NORTHERN
MAHNOMEN AND CENTRAL CLEARWATER COUNTIES THROUGH 530 AM CDT...
At 444 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
northwestern White Earth Nation, or 41 miles north of Detroit Lakes,
moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Fosston, Bagley, Mahnomen, Island Lake in Mahnomen County, Winger,
Shevlin, and Rice Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4741 9518 4733 9519 4732 9599 4756 9599
4771 9505 4741 9501
TIME...MOT...LOC 0944Z 265DEG 40KT 4742 9589
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RiddleLocal storm report, Aug 7, 5:58 AM CDT, 1 hour 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
558 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0540 AM Hail 3 SSW Bemidji 47.44N 94.90W
08/07/2026 M1.00 Inch Beltrami MN Public
&&Special weather statement, Aug 7, 7:49 AM CDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 749 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 MNZ031-071315- East Otter Tail MN- 749 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL OTTER TAIL COUNTY THROUGH 815 AM CDT... At 748 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Henning, or 27 miles east of Fergus Falls, moving east at 25 mph. HAZARD...Nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... Henning, Deer Creek, and Bluffton. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. && LAT...LON 4627 9554 4636 9558 4654 9516 4628 9516 TIME...MOT...LOC 1248Z 258DEG 22KT 4634 9551 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH TG
The office that day
Everything else NWS Grand Forks, ND issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 7, 4:13 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Red Lake | 47 min |
| Aug 7, 4:45 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Clearwater, Mahnomen | 45 min |
| Aug 7, 4:54 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Clearwater, Mahnomen | 36 min |
| Aug 7, 5:19 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Beltrami, Hubbard | 41 min |
| Aug 7, 5:32 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Clearwater, Hubbard | 43 min |
| Aug 7, 5:53 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Becker, Hubbard, Wadena | 52 min |
| Aug 7, 6:44 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Hubbard, Wadena | 46 min |
| Aug 6, 7:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Cass | 66 min |
| Aug 7, 3:35 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Traill | 40 min |
Nearby
Special Weather Statements in Minnesota, 2026Every special weather statement 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.