Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 156, NWS Twin Cities, MN
NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 4, 2026, 7:16 PM CDT for Chippewa County, Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota. It was in force for 29 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
- Jul 4, 2026, 7:16 PM CDT (00:16 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 4, 2026, 7:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 29 min
- Issued by
- NWS Twin Cities, MN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Chippewa County, MN, Lac qui Parle County, MN
The radar
The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 169 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:18 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 severe thunderstorm 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 nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 0.3 hours before the alert went out and 176 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
- 761 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -2 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1429 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 23 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -20 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 19 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.1
The text
As transmitted.
770
WUUS53 KMPX 050016
SVRMPX
MNC023-073-050045-
/O.NEW.KMPX.SV.W.0156.260705T0016Z-260705T0045Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
716 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northwestern Chippewa County in west central Minnesota...
Southeastern Lac qui Parle County in west central Minnesota...
* Until 745 PM CDT.
* At 716 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Watson, or 9
miles northwest of Montevideo, moving southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Milan, Lac Qui Parle State Park, Watson, Montevideo Airport,
Montevideo and Boyd.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4510 9606 4515 9595 4515 9592 4495 9561
4491 9568 4490 9569 4491 9572 4492 9572
4494 9574 4489 9574 4489 9585 4481 9585
4481 9595
TIME...MOT...LOC 0016Z 326DEG 22KT 4501 9589
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CTG2 follow-up statements
104
WWUS53 KMPX 050029
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
729 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
MNC023-073-050045-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0156.000000T0000Z-260705T0045Z/
Chippewa MN-Lac qui Parle MN-
729 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN CHIPPEWA AND SOUTHEASTERN LAC QUI PARLE COUNTIES...
At 729 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles south of
Watson, or 5 miles west of Montevideo, moving southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Lac Qui Parle State Park, Watson, Montevideo Airport, Montevideo
and Boyd.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.
Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Seek shelter
immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built
structure.
&&
LAT...LON 4497 9601 4510 9584 4495 9561 4491 9568
4490 9569 4490 9570 4491 9572 4492 9572
4494 9574 4489 9574 4489 9585 4481 9585
4481 9595
TIME...MOT...LOC 0016Z 326DEG 22KT 4501 9589
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CTG734
WWUS53 KMPX 050039
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
739 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
MNC023-073-050045-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0156.000000T0000Z-260705T0045Z/
Chippewa MN-Lac qui Parle MN-
739 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR
CENTRAL CHIPPEWA AND SOUTHEASTERN LAC QUI PARLE COUNTIES...
At 739 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles southwest of
Montevideo, moving southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Watson, Montevideo Airport and Montevideo.
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 4491 9595 4506 9578 4495 9561 4491 9568
4490 9569 4490 9571 4491 9572 4492 9572
4494 9574 4489 9574 4489 9585 4481 9585
TIME...MOT...LOC 0029Z 326DEG 22KT 4494 9582
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CTGWhat 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, 6:51 PM CDT, 25 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, 6:51 PM CDT, 25 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 651 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 /00Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/... Issued at 629 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026 Showers and thunderstorms near KSTC are forecast to continue pushing to the south and east through 03Z/04Z Sunday. Confidence in storms holding together by the time they reach KMSP and KRNH is around 60 percent so went with a TEMPO group. Confidence in direct impacts at all other terminals is around 30 percent so PROB30 groups have been maintained. MVFR flight conditions and wind gusts around 25 kts are possible in any thunderstorms. There is low cloud/fog potential Sunday morning at any terminal that has seen/sees rain as long as clouds clear out overnight. Confidence is highest that low clouds/fog will develop at KMSP and KSTC. Confidence is around 20 percent at all other terminals so went with a FEW010 or SCT010 group at this time. Otherwise, dry and VFR flight conditions by 15Z Sunday. KMSP...There is an area of thunderstorms to the northwest of KMSP as of 00Z and it is forecast to reach the terminal between 01Z and 03Z Sunday. MVFR flight conditions and gusty winds around 25kts could accompany these showers and thunderstorms with its southeastward movement. There is 60 percent confidence that fog/low clouds will development at the terminal between 10Z and 15Z Sunday. If clouds do not clear out, the fog/low cloud chances will be much lower. Otherwise, expect winds to be 10kts or less. /OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/ SUN...MVFR 10Z to 15Z, otherwise VFR. Winds E to NE 5-10kts. 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/TOP
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 4, 3:42 PM CDT, 3 hours 34 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, 6:00 PM CDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
600 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0557 PM Flash Flood 1 N St. Cloud 45.57N 94.17W
07/04/2026 Stearns MN Law Enforcement
Dispatch reports several disabled vehicles.
Public works is being sent to assist with
road closures.
&&
PVSpecial weather statement, Jul 4, 6:02 PM CDT, 1 hour 14 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 602 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026 MNZ059-042345- Wright MN- 602 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL WRIGHT COUNTY UNTIL 645 PM CDT... At 602 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Maple Lake, or 5 miles northwest of Buffalo, moving southeast at 10 mph. HAZARD...Landspouts and pea size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include... Maple Lake, Rassat, Buffalo and St. Michael. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening weather conditions. && LAT...LON 4525 9405 4531 9389 4520 9370 4512 9403 TIME...MOT...LOC 2302Z 333DEG 6KT 4523 9395 LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH CTG
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 6:30 PM CDT, 46 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
630 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
MNZ054-050030-
Lac Qui Parle MN-
630 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LAC QUI PARLE
COUNTY UNTIL 730 PM CDT...
At 630 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles northwest of Bellingham, or 34 miles southwest of Morris,
moving southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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...
Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, Bellingham and Louisburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4518 9610 4498 9626 4512 9645 4527 9645
4527 9642 4526 9640 4526 9637 4525 9629
4522 9627 4522 9622 4519 9617 4520 9614
TIME...MOT...LOC 2330Z 303DEG 14KT 4524 9641
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH
CTGLocal storm report, Jul 4, 6:34 PM CDT, 42 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
634 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0615 PM Flash Flood 1 ENE St. Cloud 45.56N 94.16W
07/04/2026 Stearns MN Storm Chaser
Picture on X of vans disabled at an
underpass with water up to the windows,
covering break lights on van.
&&
PVSpecial weather statement, Jul 4, 6:55 PM CDT, 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
655 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
MNZ059-060-068-050045-
Carver MN-Hennepin MN-Wright MN-
655 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN HENNEPIN...
EAST CENTRAL CARVER AND SOUTHEASTERN WRIGHT COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM
CDT...
At 655 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms over Corcoran, or 16 miles east of Buffalo, moving
southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea 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...
St. Michael, Champlin, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park,
Brooklyn Center, Minnetonka, Golden Valley, Hopkins, St. Louis
Park, Chanhassen and Minneapolis.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4515 9378 4525 9352 4524 9352 4525 9351
4523 9349 4523 9347 4522 9346 4522 9345
4504 9328 4504 9327 4497 9321 4483 9371
TIME...MOT...LOC 2354Z 333DEG 20KT 4512 9354
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CTGSpecial weather statement, Jul 4, 7:05 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
705 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
MNZ054>056-050100-
Lac Qui Parle MN-Swift MN-Chippewa MN-
705 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN LAC QUI PARLE...
NORTHWESTERN CHIPPEWA AND SOUTHWESTERN SWIFT COUNTIES UNTIL 8 PM
CDT...
At 705 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Appleton, or 21 miles northwest of Montevideo, moving southeast at 15
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Appleton Airport, Appleton, Milan and Hagen.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4516 9610 4524 9604 4518 9576 4498 9596
TIME...MOT...LOC 0005Z 309DEG 11KT 4517 9602
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CTGThe office that day
Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 4, 7:05 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Lac qui Parle | 55 min |
| Jul 4, 7:24 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Carver, Dakota, Scott | 51 min |
| Jul 4, 7:44 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Chippewa, Yellow Medicine | 31 min |
| Jul 4, 8:01 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Hennepin | 44 min |
| Jul 4, 8:15 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Yellow Medicine | 45 min |
| Jul 4, 10:35 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MPX | Faribault | 55 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.