Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 11, NWS Sioux Falls, SD

May 17, 2026Jackson County, Minnesota

NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this tornado warning at May 17, 2026, 7:31 PM CDT for Jackson County, Minnesota. It was in force for 14 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
May 17, 2026, 7:31 PM CDT (00:31 UTC)
Expired
May 17, 2026, 7:45 PM CDT
In force
14 min
Issued by
NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

County Jackson County, MN

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 146 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:35 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 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
May 17, 1:42 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 0.5 hours before the alert went out and 161 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, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2026-05-18Temperature 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, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2026-05-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 154 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
1101 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
42 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
154 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
237 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

729 
WFUS53 KFSD 180031
TORFSD
MNC063-180045-
/O.NEW.KFSD.TO.W.0011.260518T0031Z-260518T0045Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
731 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Jackson County in southwestern Minnesota...

* Until 745 PM CDT.

* At 731 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Bergen, or 9 miles northeast of Jackson In Jackson
  County, moving northeast at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter 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.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  northeastern Jackson County.

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 4365 9498 4380 9506 4385 9490 4384 9486
      4384 9485 4367 9486
TIME...MOT...LOC 0031Z 246DEG 29KT 4375 9491 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Meyers

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 Sioux Falls, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at May 17, 6:53 PM CDT, 38 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • There is high confidence that severe thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and evening, producing large hail, destructive straight-line winds, and a few tornadoes. An Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) of severe storms is in place.
  • A transitioning storm mode will shift hazards from large hail and tornadoes initially, to widespread wind damage as an intense line of storms tracks east of Interstate 29 this evening.
  • A lower risk of severe weather exists late Monday afternoon and evening, mainly over northwest IA, before quieter weather moves in for the mid-week period.
Area forecast discussion, May 17, 6:53 PM CDT, 38 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
Issued by National Weather Service Rapid City SD
653 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- There is high confidence that severe thunderstorms will
  develop this afternoon and evening, producing large hail,
  destructive straight-line winds, and a few tornadoes. An
  Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) of severe storms is in place.

- A transitioning storm mode will shift hazards from large hail
  and tornadoes initially, to widespread wind damage as an
  intense line of storms tracks east of Interstate 29 this
  evening.

- A lower risk of severe weather exists late Monday afternoon
  and evening, mainly over northwest IA, before quieter weather
  moves in for the mid-week period.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 120 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

The short-term convective outlook presents a highly volatile
spring severe weather setup. Latest surface analysis shows a
complex pattern, anchored by a strong 994 mb low over northwest
KS. An inverted trough extended north of the low through
central SD, while a well-defined warm front stretched northeast
of the low into east central NE. A weaker low was also noted in
north central NE. Visible satellite imagery revealed stable
wave clouds advancing northeast over far northeast NE and
extreme SE SD, ahead of the advancing warm front. Regional
radar imagery showed a complex of strong to severe storms over
north central NE. This storm complex is forecast by short range
guidance to continue tracking east this afternoon, intensifying
as interacts with the richer low- level moisture pool near and
south of the warm front.

Moderate to strong instability will be in place over the
southern to eastern CWA by late afternoon with MLCAPE nearing
3000 J/kg. In addition, deep layer shear will increase to around
50 kt, coincident with a mid level speed max ejecting from the
deep upper trough to our west. As the system evolves over the
next several hours, it appears the ingredients for a significant
severe weather event will be most favored over the southern to
eastern CWA. Ahead of the main convective line, some CAMs show
supercell development along the northward advancing warm front.
These storms would present a risk of very large hail (2"+) and
tornadoes. Given the amount of low level SRH/curved hodographs
present, a couple strong tornadoes are possible. The convective
cluster currently entering our far southwest CWA should
strengthen as it shifts east, with an initial hail and tornado
threat transitioning to a damaging straight line wind threat
(70+ MPH) as it grows upscale into a squall line/QLCS. Some
line-embedded QLCS tornadoes are possible, especially for any
line segments that become oriented north/south or
northwest/southeast, given southwesterly 0-3 km shear vectors.
Timing from latest high-res guidance suggests this activity
exits to the east of our CWA late this evening.

Precipitation amounts will vary significantly based on convective
tracks, though NBM guidance and HREF probability match mean
fields project a widespread 0.50 to 1.50 inches of rainfall,
particularly across northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota. On
Monday, the cold front finally pushes into the area. Instability
and shear are forecast to be much lower than today, however,
there will be a conditional risk of severe storms over the
eastern CWA during the late afternoon to evening, if the airmass
can destabilize sufficiently ahead of the front. SPC's Day 2
outlook indicates as Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5), for our MN
and IA counties.

Behind the departing upper wave, quasi-zonal flow sets up for
Tuesday and Wednesday, yielding quiet conditions and seasonally
cool high temperatures moderating from the upper 50s Tuesday to
mid-upper 60s Wednesday.

The next upper wave moves in for the Thursday to Friday period,
however Gulf moisture remains cutoff ahead of this system.
Evaluating the ECMWF Extreme Forecast Index (EFI) reveals no
significant climatological anomalies for precipitation or wind
across the upper Midwest during this period, reinforcing the
the idea of a low-impact system for our area. The current
forecast sticks closely to the NBM consensus, maintaining broad
20-30 percent probabilities for light rain for late Thursday
into Saturday.

By late this week and especially this weekend, temperatures
will embark on a steady upward trajectory, as the mid level flow
backs west, then southwest. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC)
6-10 day outlook favors above-normal temperatures across the
Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, which supports blended
guidance high temperatures reaching well into the 80s on
Sunday.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 650 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

Showers and storms will continue to move eastward into MN through
the evening hours, the forecast area should be largely clear of
shower/storm activity after ~05z. Intermittent MVFR/IFR conditions
in heavy rainfall as well as hail and strong winds will accompany
the strongest storms. Widespread MVFR/IFR cigs will set in overnight
and persist through much of Monday.

&&

.FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...None.
MN...None.
IA...None.
NE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...ILX/25
AVIATION...Wong
Hazardous weather outlook, May 17, 1:29 PM CDT, 6 hours 2 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
Issued by National Weather Service Lincoln IL
129 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-181830-
Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-
Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-
Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Gregory-
Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook-
Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton-
Union-
129 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, west central
Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, central South
Dakota, east central South Dakota, south central South Dakota and
southeast South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

A significant severe weather event is possible this afternoon and
evening. Very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes are all
possible. If you have outdoor plans know where your nearest shelter
is located. Please ensure you have multiple ways to receive warnings.
Have a plan to take shelter and act immediately if your area comes
under a severe weather warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Strong to severe storms are possible again Monday afternoon and
evening, particularly over northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and evening.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 17, 6:41 PM CDT, 50 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
641 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0626 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 NNE Worthington       43.65N 95.59W
05/17/2026  M59 MPH          Nobles             MN   Public

            Via personal weather station. Exact time
            estimated via radar.

&&

ak
Local storm report, May 17, 6:42 PM CDT, 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
642 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0626 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 ENE Worthington       43.63N 95.57W
05/17/2026  M55 MPH          Nobles             MN   AWOS

            AWOS station KOTG Worthington Airport.

&&

ak
Local storm report, May 17, 6:43 PM CDT, 48 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
643 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0337 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     6 E Menno               43.24N 97.45W
05/17/2026                   Hutchinson         SD   Emergency Mngr

            Large garage door on outbuilding bowed in.
            Time estimated from radar.

&&

PR
Local storm report, May 17, 6:54 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
654 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0601 PM     Hail             Wilmont                 43.76N 95.83W
05/17/2026  M1.25 Inch       Nobles             MN   Public

            mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.). Time
            estimated via radar.

&&

ak
Local storm report, May 17, 6:59 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
659 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0636 PM     Hail             Sibley                  43.41N 95.75W
05/17/2026  E0.75 Inch       Osceola            IA   Public

            Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.). Time
            estimated via radar.

&&

ak
Local storm report, May 17, 7:16 PM CDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
716 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

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

0650 PM     Hail             Craig                   42.90N 96.31W
05/17/2026  E1.25 Inch       Plymouth           IA   Public

            Photo via social media. Time estimated by
            radar.

&&

ak

The office that day

Everything else NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 17, 7:45 PM CDTTornado WarningFSDCottonwood, Jackson15 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.