Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 14, NWS Grand Forks, ND
NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this tornado warning at Jul 6, 2026, 7:45 PM CDT for Becker County, Minnesota. It was in force for 30 min. 6 reports 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, 7:45 PM CDT (00:45 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 6, 2026, 8:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 30 min
- Issued by
- NWS Grand Forks, ND
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.75 in
County Becker County, MN
The radar
The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 130 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:47 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 7:45 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 W Westbury, MN | |
| Jul 6, 7:47 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 W Westbury, MN | |
| Jul 6, 7:47 PM CDT | TORNADO | 3 Wnw Westbury, MN | Power poles knocked over with power flashes. |
| Jul 6, 7:50 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Wnw Westbury, MN | Report of power poles knocked over and power flashes. |
| Jul 6, 7:58 PM CDT | TORNADO | 3 S Westbury, MN | *** 2 INJ *** Updates previous tornado report from 3 S Westbury. Roof blown off small building. MNDOT also reports debris on roadway. 2 injuries reported via broadcast media. |
| Jul 6, 7:58 PM CDT | TORNADO | 3 S Westbury, MN | Roof blown off small building. MNDOT also reports debris on roadway. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 3 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 2 minutes after it went out.
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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 1:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 289 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
- 1196 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -27 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1437 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 13 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -23 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 114 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
784
WFUS53 KFGF 070045
TORFGF
MNC005-070115-
/O.NEW.KFGF.TO.W.0014.260707T0045Z-260707T0115Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
745 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026
The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Becker County in northwestern Minnesota...
* Until 815 PM CDT.
* At 745 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Westbury, or 7 miles northwest of Detroit Lakes,
moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and golf 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...
Callaway, Richwood, Rochert, and Westbury.
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 4691 9601 4700 9596 4695 9563 4681 9572
TIME...MOT...LOC 0045Z 292DEG 22KT 4691 9591
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
Thomas2 follow-up statements
958
WWUS53 KFGF 070102
SVSFGF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
802 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026
MNC005-070115-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260707T0115Z/
Becker MN-
802 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
BECKER COUNTY...
At 802 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located near Rochert, or near Detroit Lakes, moving east at 25 mph.
This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and two inch hail.
SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may
be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes
will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes,
businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction
is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Rochert.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4688 9584 4696 9581 4695 9563 4681 9572
TIME...MOT...LOC 0102Z 292DEG 22KT 4687 9577
TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Thomas139 WWUS53 KFGF 070107 SVSFGF Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 807 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026 MNC005-070116- /O.EXP.KFGF.TO.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260707T0115Z/ Becker MN- 807 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL BECKER COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 815 PM CDT... The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for northwestern Minnesota. Remember, a Tornado Warning still remains in effect for central Becker County until 8:45pm && LAT...LON 4688 9584 4696 9581 4695 9563 4681 9572 TIME...MOT...LOC 0106Z 292DEG 22KT 4686 9574 $$ Thomas
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, 7:08 PM CDT, 37 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, 7:08 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 708 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. && .UPDATE... Issued at 708 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026 Cold front has pushed south and east, with winds shifting to the northwest at Valley City, Grand Forks, Roseau, and other sites along the northern and western edge of the severe thunderstorm watch. Convection has stayed out ahead of the cold front, and although dew points are still quite moist right behind the boundary, drier air is slowly moving in. Let the watch go for our east central ND and northwestern MN counties. As for the convection, will have to watch the intersection of the cold front and a few pre-frontal troughs across the southern Red River Valley and west central MN. There seems to be a transition to more clustering/linear type threat, although can't rule out a brief weak tornado in a few spots. && .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 /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 640 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026 A cold front is moving southeast through the region this evening. A line of showers and storms is filling in along this cold front and will push through the eastern and southern TAF sites this evening. Once the cold front passes, winds will shift from the northwest and remain steady around 8-13kts for a few hours. In the early morning hours on Tuesday, northerly winds will become light and we will see some SCT-BKN high clouds. Some light fog is possible, this has been mentioned at DVL and BJI. We will remain VFR through most of the day on Tuesday. Rain will move in from the west in the late afternoon and into the evening hours. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && UPDATE...JR DISCUSSION...CJ/Lynch AVIATION...FGF
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 6, 4:28 AM CDT, 15 hours 17 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, 4:30 PM CDT, 3 hours 15 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.
&&Local storm report, Jul 6, 5:49 PM CDT, 1 hour 56 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
549 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0349 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 9 NNE Pitt 48.84N 94.70W
07/06/2026 M53 MPH Lake of the Woods MN Public
PWS reports wind gust.
&&Local storm report, Jul 6, 5:50 PM CDT, 1 hour 55 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
550 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0545 PM Hail Winger 47.54N 95.99W
07/06/2026 M0.88 Inch Polk MN Broadcast Media
Relayed via broadcast media.
&&Local storm report, Jul 6, 6:18 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
618 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0416 PM Funnel Cloud Karlstad 48.58N 96.52W
07/06/2026 Kittson MN Broadcast Media
Video sent to broadcast media shows funnel
just south of Karlstad.
&&Local storm report, Jul 6, 7:26 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
726 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0715 PM Funnel Cloud 2 SE Hitterdal 46.96N 96.23W
07/06/2026 Clay MN Public
&&Local storm report, Jul 6, 7:36 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
736 PM CDT Mon Jul 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 PM Funnel Cloud Bejou 47.44N 95.97W
07/06/2026 Mahnomen MN Broadcast Media
Relayed via broadcast media. Funnel was east
of Bejou by a few miles.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Grand Forks, ND issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 7:22 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Becker, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen | 53 min |
| Jul 6, 7:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Becker | 64 min |
| Jul 6, 7:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Becker, Mahnomen | 14 min |
| Jul 6, 8:01 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | FGF | Becker | 44 min |
| Jul 6, 8:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Hubbard | 55 min |
| Jul 6, 8:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Becker, Hubbard, Otter Tail, Wadena, Wilkin | 65 min |
| Jul 6, 8:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Becker, Grant, Hubbard, Otter Tail, Wadena, Wilkin | 81 min |
| Jul 6, 9:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Grant, Wilkin | 52 min |
| Jul 6, 9:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FGF | Grant, Otter Tail | 36 min |
| Jul 7, 12:33 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | FGF | Grant | 42 min |
| Jul 7, 1:30 PM CDT | Flood Watch | FGF | Grant, Otter Tail, Wadena, Wilkin | 13 hr |
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.