Alert archive / Minnesota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 177, NWS Twin Cities, MN

August 17, 2026Morrison County, Todd County, Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 17, 2026, 6:32 PM CDT for Morrison County, Todd County, Minnesota. It was in force for 43 min. 4 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: Aug 17, 2026, 6:32 PM CDT (23:32 UTC)
Expired: Aug 17, 2026, 7:15 PM CDT
In force: 43 min
Issued by: NWS Twin Cities, MN
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 1.25 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Morrison County, MN, Todd County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 177 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:36 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
Aug 17, 6:35 PM CDT	HAIL 1	3 N Bertha, MN	Piles of hail still in the yard 30 minutes later.
Aug 17, 6:35 PM CDT	HAIL 1	3 N Bertha, MN	Piles of hail still in the yard 30 minutes later.
Aug 17, 6:45 PM CDT	HAIL 1	10 N Clarissa, MN	The period of the Hail report was 4 minutes.
Aug 17, 6:45 PM CDT	HAIL 1	10 N Clarissa, MN	The period of the Hail report was 4 minutes.

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 2 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 3 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, 11.5 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.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 1097 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 36 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 2 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 20 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

159 
WUUS53 KMPX 172332
SVRMPX
MNC097-153-180015-
/O.NEW.KMPX.SV.W.0177.260817T2332Z-260818T0015Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
632 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Morrison County in central Minnesota...
  Northern Todd County in central Minnesota...

* Until 715 PM CDT.

* At 632 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Hewitt, or 34
  miles northeast of Alexandria, moving southeast at 45 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.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  Hewitt and Bertha around 635 PM CDT.
  Randall around 710 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by the severe thunderstorm include Philbrook
and Cushing.

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 4637 9476 4625 9437 4623 9439 4621 9440
      4620 9438 4597 9459 4622 9515 4637 9516
TIME...MOT...LOC 2332Z 300DEG 36KT 4634 9505

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Borghoff

4 follow-up statements

710 
WWUS53 KMPX 172339
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
639 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

MNC097-153-180015-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0177.000000T0000Z-260818T0015Z/
Morrison MN-Todd MN-
639 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN MORRISON AND NORTHERN TODD COUNTIES...

At 639 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles northeast of
Bertha, or 34 miles northeast of Alexandria, moving southeast at 45
mph.

HAZARD...Tennis ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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.

This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  Randall around 710 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by the severe thunderstorm include Philbrook
and Cushing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Anyone outdoors should move to shelter inside a well-built structure
and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing
dangerous hail and damaging winds.

&&

LAT...LON 4637 9476 4636 9473 4635 9472 4635 9469
      4625 9437 4624 9438 4624 9439 4622 9439
      4621 9440 4620 9439 4620 9438 4597 9459
      4622 9515 4623 9515 4637 9506
TIME...MOT...LOC 2332Z 300DEG 36KT 4634 9505

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.50 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Borghoff

180 
WWUS53 KMPX 172353
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
653 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

MNC097-153-180015-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0177.000000T0000Z-260818T0015Z/
Morrison MN-Todd MN-
653 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN MORRISON AND NORTHEASTERN TODD COUNTIES...

At 653 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles south of
Staples, or 27 miles northwest of Little Falls, moving southeast at
40 mph.

HAZARD...Two inch hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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.

This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  Randall around 710 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by the severe thunderstorm include Cushing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Anyone outdoors should move to shelter inside a well-built structure
and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing
dangerous hail and damaging winds.

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 4637 9476 4635 9472 4635 9469 4625 9437
      4624 9439 4621 9440 4620 9438 4597 9459
      4617 9503 4637 9478
TIME...MOT...LOC 2339Z 302DEG 36KT 4630 9495

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Borghoff

308 
WWUS53 KMPX 180001
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
701 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

MNC097-153-180015-
/O.CON.KMPX.SV.W.0177.000000T0000Z-260818T0015Z/
Morrison MN-Todd MN-
701 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN MORRISON AND NORTHEASTERN TODD COUNTIES...

At 701 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 11 miles south of
Motley, or 21 miles northwest of Little Falls, moving southeast at 40
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.

This severe thunderstorm will be near...
  Randall around 710 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by the severe thunderstorm include Cushing.

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 4612 9493 4634 9465 4633 9463 4633 9462
      4632 9461 4633 9461 4631 9456 4631 9455
      4630 9455 4630 9454 4625 9437 4624 9439
      4621 9440 4620 9439 4620 9438 4597 9459
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 302DEG 36KT 4623 9479

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Borghoff

071 
WWUS53 KMPX 180012
SVSMPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
712 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

MNC097-153-180022-
/O.EXP.KMPX.SV.W.0177.000000T0000Z-260818T0015Z/
Morrison MN-Todd MN-
712 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 715 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN MORRISON AND NORTHEASTERN TODD COUNTIES...

The Severe Thunderstorm Warning that was previously in effect has
been reissued for Morrison County and is in effect until 745 PM CDT.
Please refer to that bulletin for the latest severe weather
information.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM CDT for a
portion of central Minnesota.

&&

LAT...LON 4612 9493 4634 9465 4633 9463 4633 9462
      4632 9461 4633 9461 4631 9456 4631 9455
      4630 9455 4630 9454 4625 9437 4624 9439
      4621 9440 4620 9439 4620 9438 4597 9459
TIME...MOT...LOC 0001Z 302DEG 36KT 4618 9469

$$

Borghoff

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 Aug 17, 6:11 PM CDT, 21 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Scattered thunderstorms this evening through Tuesday night. Best chance for a few strong to severe thunderstorms is this evening, focused across western Minnesota.
Quiet weather returns for the second half of the week with near-normal temperatures and only low rain chances Thursday into Friday.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 17, 6:11 PM CDT, 21 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
611 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered thunderstorms this evening through Tuesday night.
  Best chance for a few strong to severe thunderstorms is this
  evening, focused across western Minnesota.

- Quiet weather returns for the second half of the week with
  near-normal temperatures and only low rain chances Thursday
  into Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 218 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

Satellite imagery depicts clear skies across most of southern
MN this afternoon with a growing CU field across WI and central
MN. An ACCAS field has been present much of the day across west
central MN and a few showers have recently developed between
Morris and Alexandria. The low levels are quite dry with dew
points in the 50s and low 60s, but some increase is expected
this evening as richer moisture over the Dakotas slides east.
Scattered thunderstorms should develop this evening along a cold
front across western MN. Sufficient instability (2000-3000
J/kg) from the increased low level moisture and 45-50 kts of
speed shear will bring the potential for splitting supercells
capable of large hail and damaging wind gusts. Storms should
weaken late this evening and overnight as storms progress east.
Another round of showers and storms is possible late tonight and
early Tuesday, especially south of I-94, as a second short wave
passes through. Depending on early day convection, a third
round is possible late Tuesday afternoon primarily across
southern/eastern MN into WI. This round is of low confidence,
but a weak front in the presence of sufficient instability and
shear will bring a low risk of severe storms during peak diurnal
heating.

West northwest flow aloft will prevail into early next week
thanks to the ridge parked over the southern Rockies. Multiple
disturbances embedded within the flow will bring periodic low
chances for showers and storms but confidence in specifics
beyond early Tuesday is low. In the absence of any precipitation,
conditions will continue to be pleasant with temperatures near
normal. Unfortunately, the prospects of widespread soaking
rainfall is very low for at least the rest of the month.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 611 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

Overall VFR conditions over this period. There will be some
periods of isolated to scattered thunderstorms with category
reductions to mainly MVFR and maybe IFR as they pass through.
These will be temporary and for less than an hour. The PROB30
groups are for the time range when this reduction could occur.
Storms are currently in west central Minnesota and will spread
south and east this evening. Another round will be possible in
the morning and a third is possible tomorrow evening (this last
round is mostly not in this set of TAFs). Overall winds, outside
of thunderstorms, will be light and under 10 knots.

KMSP...The first chance early this evening has weakened
considerably and is unlikely to cause impacts. The next chance,
and main chance, comes later this evening and is related to the
storms across western Minnesota. Later rounds are less
confident, but kept some mention in the TAFs for timing of
possible impacts.

/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
WED...VFR. Wind NW 5-10 kts.
THU...VFR, chc PM MVFR/-SHRA. Wind SW 10-15 kts.
FRI...VFR, chc -TSRA/MVFR. Wind W 10-15kts.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...None.
WI...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Borghoff
AVIATION...NDC

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 17, 3:12 PM CDT, 3 hours 20 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
312 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

MNZ041>045-047>052-054>061-064>069-073>076-082>084-091-092-182015-
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-
Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-Kandiyohi-
Meeker-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-
Sibley-Carver-Scott-Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Watonwan-
Blue Earth-Waseca-Martin-Faribault-
312 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Minnesota...east central Minnesota...south central Minnesota...
southwest Minnesota and west central Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

A few strong or severe thunderstorms are possible. Large hail and
damaging winds are the primary hazards.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Chances of showers and thunderstorms will return periodically
through the weekend. A few severe thunderstorms are possible
across southern Minnesota Tuesday afternoon. Otherwise, the
probability of severe weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN spotter activation may be needed through Tuesday.

MNZ053-062-063-070-077-078-085-093-WIZ014>016-023>028-182015-
Chisago-Ramsey-Washington-Dakota-Rice-Goodhue-Steele-Freeborn-
Polk-Barron-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
312 PM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of east central
Minnesota...south central Minnesota...southeast Minnesota...
northwest Wisconsin and west central Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

There is a chance of thunderstorms late. Severe weather is not
anticipated.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Chances of showers and thunderstorms will return periodically
through the weekend. The probability of severe weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN spotter activation will not be needed.

Borghoff

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Minnesota, 2026 Every 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.