Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 12, NWS Grand Forks, ND

July 6, 2026Mahnomen County, Polk County, Minnesota

NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this tornado warning at Jul 6, 2026, 5:08 PM CDT for Mahnomen County, Polk County, Minnesota. It was in force for 39 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
Jul 6, 2026, 5:08 PM CDT (22:08 UTC)
Expired
Jul 6, 2026, 5:47 PM CDT
In force
39 min
Issued by
NWS Grand Forks, ND
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.5 in

Counties Mahnomen County, MN, Polk County, MN

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 103 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:12 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 6, 5:45 PM CDTHAIL 0.88Winger, MNRelayed via broadcast media.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado 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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 6, 1:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

International Fa, MN (KINL), launched 12:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 231 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 2026-07-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 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 2026-07-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 5 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1156 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
5 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
21 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

499 
WFUS53 KFGF 062208
TORFGF
MNC087-119-062300-
/O.NEW.KFGF.TO.W.0012.260706T2208Z-260706T2300Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
508 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Polk County in northwestern Minnesota...
  Northwestern Mahnomen County in northwestern Minnesota...

* Until 600 PM CDT.

* At 508 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Winger, or 42 miles south of Thief River Falls,
  moving east at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Winger.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4742 9580 4748 9607 4750 9607 4750 9610
      4756 9608 4759 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2208Z 273DEG 17KT 4751 9604 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

CJ
3 follow-up statements
031 
WWUS53 KFGF 062216
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
516 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

MNC087-119-062300-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260706T2300Z/
Polk MN-Mahnomen MN-
516 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN POLK AND NORTHWESTERN MAHNOMEN COUNTIES...

At 515 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Winger, or 42 miles south of Thief River Falls,
moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. At 5:10 pm, a funnel cloud was 
         reported near Winger.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Winger.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4742 9580 4748 9607 4750 9607 4756 9603
      4759 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2215Z 273DEG 17KT 4751 9599 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

CJ
275 
WWUS53 KFGF 062236
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
536 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

MNC087-119-062300-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260706T2300Z/
Polk MN-Mahnomen MN-
536 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN POLK AND NORTHWESTERN MAHNOMEN COUNTIES...

At 536 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Winger, or 44 miles south of Thief River Falls,
moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Winger.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4742 9580 4748 9607 4750 9607 4756 9603
      4759 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2236Z 273DEG 17KT 4751 9586 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

CJ
147 
WWUS53 KFGF 062247
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
547 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

MNC087-119-062257-
/O.CAN.KFGF.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260706T2300Z/
Polk MN-Mahnomen MN-
547 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN POLK AND NORTHWESTERN
MAHNOMEN COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However, small hail and
gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
northwestern Minnesota.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Grand Forks.

&&

LAT...LON 4742 9580 4748 9607 4750 9607 4756 9603
      4759 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2244Z 273DEG 17KT 4751 9578 

$$

CJ

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Jul 6, 2:42 PM CDT, 2 hours 26 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Level 2 out of 5 severe risk this afternoon into early evening with a primary risk for large hail along with secondary risk for winds to 70 mph, brief tornadoes, and flash flooding.
  • Level 2 out of 5 severe risk late Tuesday for hail and damaging wind gusts along and south of I-94/HWY 10.
  • There is a level 2 of 4 risk for flash flooding across southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 6, 2:42 PM CDT, 2 hours 26 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
242 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Level 2 out of 5 severe risk this afternoon into early evening
  with a primary risk for large hail along with secondary risk
  for winds to 70 mph, brief tornadoes, and flash flooding.

- Level 2 out of 5 severe risk late Tuesday for hail and
  damaging wind gusts along and south of I-94/HWY 10.

- There is a level 2 of 4 risk for flash flooding across
  southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota Tuesday
  night into Wednesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 104 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

...Synopsis...

This week, flow aloft will be generally zonal as upper ridging
in the central CONUS is influenced by at least a couple of
shortwave troughs moving through the crest of the ridge. These
shortwave troughs and attendant surface frontal features will
provide forcing for ascent to drive thunderstorms, including
potential for severe storms capable of all hazards, as well as
flash flooding (more info on these below).

This afternoon's temperatures into the upper 80s and low 90s
coupled with high dew points in the 70s are pushing heat indices
into the 90s, including near 100 in southeast ND and west-
central MN. This combined with mostly sunny skies in some areas,
as well as relatively light winds under 20 mph are pushing wet-
bulb globe temperatures into the low 80s. These factors
introduce potential for minor heat-related impacts this
afternoon, particularly in southeast ND and west-central MN.

Getting into late this week into early next week, ensemble
guidance strong favors anomalously strong upper ridging to
build within the Southwest and Four Corners region, eventually
eastward into the Central and Northern Plains, including our
area. This strongly favors above to well above average
temperatures this weekend into next week.

With early/mid July nearing our climatological peak for hottest
temperatures, this lends confidence toward our area seeing
potential heat-related issues. Despite this increased confidence
several days away, it remains unclear to the magnitude and
exact duration of potential impacts.

The strong upper ridge building into the Northern Plains also
brings increasingly suppressive influence in terms of upper
forcing for ascent/precipitation. However, in these regimes,
mesoscale influences can dominate - thus, confidence in these
details is virtually nill. Should thunderstorms develop within
the strongly heated air mass, it is reasonable to think they
could be strong to severe.

...Severe potential this afternoon/early evening...

A northeast/southwest cold front is working its way eastward
across our area this afternoon into evening, as influenced by a
stout shortwave trough traveling eastward across southern MB
into ON. This cold front will be the focus for initiating
severe storms this afternoon. Ahead of the front is rich
moisture and strong instability.

With flow aloft generally zonal, and weak southerly flow in the
low levels, this presents a generally unidirectionally sheared
regime for storm organization. Bulk shear vectors perpendicular
to the cold front will favor initially discrete modes, with
supercells likely. With supercells as expected initial storm
mode amid strong instability and unidirectional shear, large to
very large hail (potentially 2-3 inches) is brought to the
forefront of hazards. Supercells amid strong instability and
rich moisture also introduces potential for brief tornadoes,
although a lack of stronger low level shear limits expected
upper end strength (not likely to exceed EF-2). Additionally,
ambient vorticity near the cold front also introduces a source
for low level spin should a storm anchor itself on the front. AI-
based guidance like Nadocast and StormNet continue to keep
tornadic potential in the cards as well, increasing confidence
in this continuing to be a potential hazard.

While initial mode is expected to feature supercells, frontal
forcing and marginal anvil-layer storm relative winds will
promote clustering of storms. These clusters then shift hazard
potential away from very large hail to more of a strong
wind/hail threat. Gusty winds to 70 mph can be anticipated,
potentially introducing wind-driven hail.

The transition of initially discrete/semi discrete supercells to
more clusters is anticipated to occur by late afternoon moving
into the early evening hours.

Overall timeframe for severe storms is 3 PM to 11 PM.

Lastly, there is potential for isolated flash flooding with
storms this afternoon into early evening. This is driven by rich
boundary layer and total atmospheric moisture combined with
very high freezing level, strong instability, and potential for
training storms/clusters. Some guidance suggests 2-3 inches per
hour, which would be enough to create minor flash flooding
impacts, especially if this occurs over urban landscape (e.g.
Fargo-Moorhead, Bemidji, Detroit Lakes, etc).

...Severe storm potential late Tuesday...

Today's cold front stalls within SD and central or southern MN
by Tuesday. Another shortwave trough moves eastward through the
zonal flow across the Dakotas, sparking thunderstorms near the
stalled front. This front, and instability near it, is expected
to be close enough to our area to allow for potential strong to
severe storms to spread eastward within southeast ND and west-
central MN. Main hazards with this activity will be hail to the
size of quarters and gusty winds to 60 mph, although should the
front be placed deeper into our area, hail to the size of golf
balls and 70 mph may ensue.

Perhaps more at the forefront of hazards is potential for flash
flooding in these areas. This is driven by strong forcing
combined with very rich moisture overrunning the front, of which
instability will also be present. Rainfall totals of 1-2
inches, perhaps up to 4 inches, is reasonable expectation.
Should this fall on areas that receive high rain today,
excessive rainfall leading to flooding would be increased.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 104 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

While VFR conditions are forecast, there is potential for
impacts from thunderstorms at KGFK, KFAR, KTVF, and KBJI this
afternoon into early evening. Storms may be strong to severe
holding large to very large hail, gusty erratic wind in excess
of 40 kt, and excessive lightning. This is due to a cold front
sweeping through the region. This cold front will shift winds
from southerly ahead of it to northerly behind it. Overall winds
will be 7-15kt both ahead and behind the front, with gusts to
around 20 kt.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...None.
MN...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...CJ
AVIATION...CJ
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 6, 4:28 AM CDT, 12 hours 40 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
428 AM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

NDZ006-007-014-015-024-070930-
Towner-Cavalier-Benson-Ramsey-Eddy-
428 AM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated today.

MNZ001-002-004>009-013>017-022-023-NDZ008-016-026>030-054-070930-
West Polk-Norman-Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-West Marshall-
East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake-East Polk-
North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen-South Clearwater-Pembina-
Eastern Walsh-Nelson-Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-
Western Walsh-
428 AM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

There is a level 2 out of 5 severe risk this afternoon with a
primary risk for large hail along with secondary risk for strong
winds and a tornado or two.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required today.

MNZ003-024-027>032-040-NDZ038-039-049-052-053-070930-
Clay-Hubbard-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin-West Otter Tail-
East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland-
428 AM CDT Mon Jul 6 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 severe risk this afternoon with a
primary risk for large hail along with secondary risk for strong
winds and a tornado or two.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

There is a level 2 out of 5 severe risk Tuesday for large hail
and damaging wind gusts along and south of I-94/HWY 10.

There is a level 2 of 4 risk for flash flooding across southeast
North Dakota and west central Minnesota Tuesday and Wednesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required today.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 6, 4:26 PM CDT, 42 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
426 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

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

0416 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     8.1 N Graceton          48.86N 94.84W
07/06/2026  M57 MPH          Lake of the Woods  MN   Mesonet

            PWS reports 57 mph gust.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 6, 4:30 PM CDT, 38 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
430 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026

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

0406 PM     Hail             Mentor                  47.70N 96.14W
07/06/2026  M1.00 Inch       Polk               MN   Broadcast Media

            Time estimated via radar.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 6, 2:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFLake of the Woods56 min
Jul 6, 2:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFKittson, Roseau65 min
Jul 6, 3:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFLake of the Woods, Roseau62 min
Jul 6, 3:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFMarshall, Roseau42 min
Jul 6, 4:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFLake of the Woods64 min
Jul 6, 4:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFPolk67 min
Jul 6, 5:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatFGFMarshall, Pennington37 min
Jul 6, 6:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFMahnomen, Norman59 min
Jul 6, 6:15 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryFGFClearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk3 hr
Jul 6, 6:19 PM CDTTornado WarningFGFMahnomen, Norman41 min
Jul 6, 6:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFGFBecker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman56 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Minnesota, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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.