Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 145, NWS Twin Cities, MN
NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 4, 2026, 4:35 PM CDT for Stearns County, Minnesota. It was in force for 40 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 4, 2026, 4:35 PM CDT (21:35 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 4, 2026, 5:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 40 min
- Issued by
- NWS Twin Cities, MN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Possible
- Hail
- 1.25 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
County Stearns County, MN
The radar
The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 122 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:38 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 4, 4:44 PM CDT | HAIL 1.5 | 1 Se New Munich, MN | Photo measurement provided via NWSChat. |
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 one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 9 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 nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 120 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
- 944 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -38 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 925 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 16 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 3 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -4 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
733
WUUS53 KMPX 042135
SVRMPX
MNC145-042230-
/O.NEW.KMPX.SV.W.0145.260704T2135Z-260704T2230Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
435 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Central Stearns County in central Minnesota...
* Until 530 PM CDT.
* At 435 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Freeport, or
29 miles west of St. Cloud, moving southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Greenwald, New Munich, Freeport, Albany, Farming, St. Martin, Avon
and Roscoe.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.
Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Seek shelter
immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built
structure.
&&
LAT...LON 4560 9487 4571 9477 4563 9443 4542 9463
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 309DEG 14KT 4563 9475
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CTG3 follow-up statements
826
WWUS53 KMPX 042144
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
444 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
MNC145-042230-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0145.000000T0000Z-260704T2230Z/
Stearns MN-
444 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
CENTRAL STEARNS COUNTY...
At 444 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Freeport, or 26
miles west of St. Cloud, moving southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Trained spotters reported.
IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail
damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind
damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
New Munich, Freeport, Albany, Farming, St. Martin, Avon and Roscoe.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and has
produced large hail.
Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Seek shelter
immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built
structure.
&&
LAT...LON 4556 9482 4570 9471 4563 9443 4542 9463
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 309DEG 14KT 4563 9475
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CTG668
WWUS53 KMPX 042206
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
506 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
MNC145-042230-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0145.000000T0000Z-260704T2230Z/
Stearns MN-
506 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
CENTRAL STEARNS COUNTY...
At 506 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles south of
Albany, or 21 miles west of St. Cloud, moving southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Albany, Farming, St. Martin, Avon and Roscoe.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.
Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Seek shelter
immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built
structure.
&&
LAT...LON 4553 9477 4567 9460 4563 9443 4542 9463
TIME...MOT...LOC 2144Z 309DEG 14KT 4560 9471
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CTG788 WWUS53 KMPX 042215 SVSMPX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 515 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026 MNC145-042225- /O.CAN.KMPX.SV.W.0145.000000T0000Z-260704T2230Z/ Stearns MN- 515 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR CENTRAL STEARNS COUNTY... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. && LAT...LON 4553 9477 4567 9460 4563 9443 4542 9463 TIME...MOT...LOC 2206Z 309DEG 14KT 4555 9461 $$ CTG
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 Twin Cities, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 4, 2:55 PM CDT, 1 hour 40 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Isolated to scatted thunderstorms are forecast through 9PM/10PM this evening. A few thunderstorms could become strong to severe with the main threats being heavy rain, lightning, gusty winds, and a few instances of hail up to 1 inch.
- Quiet and warm weather is expected Sunday through at least Monday night. The next best chance for showers and thunderstorms arrives late Tuesday and Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 2:55 PM CDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 255 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated to scatted thunderstorms are forecast through 9PM/10PM this evening. A few thunderstorms could become strong to severe with the main threats being heavy rain, lightning, gusty winds, and a few instances of hail up to 1 inch. - Quiet and warm weather is expected Sunday through at least Monday night. The next best chance for showers and thunderstorms arrives late Tuesday and Wednesday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 233 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026 19Z satellite shows partly cloudy skies across central and southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A muggy afternoon and evening is expected with temperatures continuing to warm into the 80s and dew points rising into the upper 60s and 70s. The muggy conditions will also allow the atmosphere to continue to destabilize with SBCAPE values peaking in the 2000 to 2500 J/kg range this afternoon. This instability combined with a weak passing overhead disturbance will support some isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms through the afternoon and evening. However, expect thunderstorms to be more pulse-like due to rather weak 0-6km shear values around 20 kts at best, mid-level lapse rates around 6.4 C/km, DCAPE values of 800 to 900 J/kg, and overall weak ascent. Should a thunderstorm be able to last long enough to become strong to severe, the threat looks to be gusty winds and instances of hail up to 1 inch. Periods of heavy rainfall are also possible with PWATs right around 1.5-1.6 inches. Because of the over pulse-like nature of thunderstorms, it will be difficult to pin point exactly where they will develop. That being said, the greatest coverage, timing, and chances (up to 60%) of thunderstorms looks to be across central Minnesota through 6PM. This is due to being in closer proximity to better upper-level support. There is generally a 30% to 40% chance of a shower or thunderstorm across Minnesota and western Wisconsin through 9PM/10PM this evening. Chances quickly decrease after sunset but an isolated shower or thunderstorm cannot be ruled out for southern portions through 2AM. Upper-level flow is forecast to be more northerly on Sunday as a ridge begins to build into the Upper Mississippi River Valley. This means that height rises aloft will suppress most convection chances to close out the holiday weekend. That being said, a stray shower or thunderstorm during the afternoon hours cannot be ruled out for far southeastern Minnesota. Chances of this occurring are only around 15% at best. There is a reasonable amount of consensus that the positively aligned ridge axis will move over the area on Monday. So Monday's forecast calls for a warm day with highs in the mid 80s and mostly sunny skies. By Monday evening, shower and thunderstorm chances return as a weak shortwave traverses the area. Because the wave passes over later in the day/closer to sunset, overall coverage is forecast to be on the lower end. If the shortwave traverses the area earlier in the afternoon and around peak heating on Monday, more areas could see showers and thunderstorms. A more potent shortwave and an associated front looks to approach the forecast area late Tuesday into Wednesday. This is currently the next best chance (60% to 70%) for showers and thunderstorms across the area. For Thursday and Friday, a largely zonal pattern looks to set up with embedded shortwaves passing through. There is a reasonable amount of uncertainty on timing and strength of the shortwaves which will influence the shower and thunderstorm chances to end the work week. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1230 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026 Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast to develop in the general area of KAXN between 20Z and 21Z. Convection then shifts to the south and east through 04Z Sunday. Isolated thunderstorm development could occur near KMKT until 08Z. All thunderstorm potential is reflected as PROB30 groups at this time due to 30 percent confidence in direct impacts to any given terminal. If a terminal does see rain this afternoon and evening and clouds clear out overnight, low cloud/fog development is possible. There is some uncertainty in how dense any fog/low cloud cover will be so went with a FEW010 or SCT010 group at this time. KMSP...Thunderstorm chances have continued to trend later, with the greatest potential at KMSP between 00Z and 04Z Sunday. If there is rain at or in the area this evening and clouds clear out fast enough, there is potential for fog/low cloud development in the 10Z to 16Z timeframe Sunday morning. Confidence in how dense any fog/low cloud cover will be is rather low at this time. /OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/ SUN...VFR, with low MVFR potential in morning. Winds N 5-10 kts. MON...VFR. Winds SE 5-10kts. TUE...VFR. Chc TS overnight. Winds SW 5-15kts. && .MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MN...None. WI...None. && DISCUSSION...TDH AVIATION...WFO MPX
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 4, 3:42 PM CDT, 53 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 342 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026 MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028- 052045- Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Stevens-Pope-Stearns- Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa- Kandiyohi-Meeker-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington- Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Carver-Scott-Dakota- Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Watonwan-Blue Earth- Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-Polk-Barron-Rusk- St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-Eau Claire- 342 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central and southern Minnesota, and west central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms remain possible through at least sunset. The strongest thunderstorms will be capable of frequent lightning, gusty winds, and locally heavy rain. There could be a few instances of small hail as well. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SKYWARN spotter activation will not be needed.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 4, 3:31 PM CDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
331 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0330 PM Hail 5 N Sauk Centre 45.81N 94.96W
07/04/2026 M1.00 Inch Todd MN Trained Spotter
&&
CTGSpecial weather statement, Jul 4, 3:31 PM CDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
331 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
MNZ042-042100-
Todd MN-
331 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN TODD COUNTY UNTIL 4 PM
CDT...
At 331 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Long Prairie, or 21 miles east of Alexandria, moving south at 15 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 damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Clotho, Long Prairie, Lake Osakis, Round Prairie, Long Prairie
Airport, Little Sauk, Grey Eagle, Birch Lakes State Forest, West
Union, North Shore, Burtrum, Pleasant Beach and Swanville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4605 9515 4607 9465 4593 9465 4593 9464
4577 9464 4577 9514 4593 9514 4593 9515
TIME...MOT...LOC 2031Z 346DEG 14KT 4597 9494
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DunleavyLocal storm report, Jul 4, 3:37 PM CDT, 58 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
337 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0335 PM Hail 2 N Long Prairie 46.01N 94.87W
07/04/2026 M1.00 Inch Todd MN Trained Spotter
&&
CTGLocal storm report, Jul 4, 3:58 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
358 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0338 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 WNW Round Prairie 45.95N 95.00W
07/04/2026 Todd MN Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement reported trees and
powerlines down west of Long Prairie. Time
estimated via radar.
&&
RMDLocal storm report, Jul 4, 4:00 PM CDT, 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
400 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0357 PM Hail Sauk Centre 45.74N 94.96W
07/04/2026 M1.00 Inch Stearns MN Emergency Mngr
Quarter size hail measured in Sauk Centre.
&&
RMDLocal storm report, Jul 4, 4:34 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
434 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0434 PM Hail New Munich 45.63N 94.75W
07/04/2026 M1.00 Inch Stearns MN Trained Spotter
&&
RMDThe office that day
Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 3, 10:51 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | MPX | Ramsey, Washington | 103 min |
| Jul 4, 2:09 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Todd | 51 min |
| Jul 4, 2:55 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Todd | 35 min |
| Jul 4, 3:07 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Todd | 38 min |
| Jul 4, 3:31 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Todd | 29 min |
| Jul 4, 3:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Stearns, Todd | 38 min |
| Jul 4, 3:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Todd | 43 min |
| Jul 4, 3:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Stearns | 35 min |
| Jul 4, 4:11 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Stearns | 34 min |
| Jul 4, 4:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Kandiyohi, Stearns | 50 min |
| Jul 4, 4:36 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison | 54 min |
| Jul 4, 4:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Renville | 27 min |
| Jul 4, 5:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Benton, Sherburne, Stearns | 43 min |
| Jul 4, 5:10 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Kanabec | 65 min |
| Jul 4, 5:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Kandiyohi, Meeker, Stearns | 46 min |
| Jul 4, 5:20 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Kandiyohi | 40 min |
| Jul 4, 5:22 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Kanabec, Mille Lacs | 41 min |
| Jul 4, 5:37 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | MPX | Benton, Sherburne, Stearns | 2 hr |
| Jul 4, 5:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Kanabec | 33 min |
| Jul 4, 5:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Kandiyohi, Meeker | 48 min |
| Jul 4, 6:02 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Wright | 43 min |
| Jul 4, 6:23 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Wright | 52 min |
| Jul 4, 6:30 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Lac qui Parle | 60 min |
| Jul 4, 6:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Lac qui Parle | 23 min |
| Jul 4, 6:55 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Hennepin | 50 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.