Alert archive / Minnesota / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 5, NWS Twin Cities, MN
NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this tornado warning at Apr 13, 2026, 6:48 PM CDT for Rice County, Steele County, Waseca County, Minnesota. It was in force for 42 min. 2 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
- Apr 13, 2026, 6:48 PM CDT (23:48 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 13, 2026, 7:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 42 min
- Issued by
- NWS Twin Cities, MN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Rice County, MN, Steele County, MN, Waseca County, MN
The radar
The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 77 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:52 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 7:15 PM CDT | HAIL 3 | 6 Se Morristown, MN | Photo with measured hail. |
| Apr 13, 7:40 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 1 N Owatonna, MN | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 3:11 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 77 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
- 8 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -259 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1506 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 45 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 124 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 229 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
929
WFUS53 KMPX 132348
TORMPX
MNC131-147-161-140030-
/O.NEW.KMPX.TO.W.0005.260413T2348Z-260414T0030Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
648 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Rice County in south central Minnesota...
Northwestern Steele County in south central Minnesota...
Northeastern Waseca County in south central Minnesota...
* Until 730 PM CDT.
* At 648 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Waterville, or 14 miles southwest of Faribault,
moving east at 25 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.
* Locations impacted include...
Waseca Airport, Waseca, Sakatah Lake State Park, Morristown,
Deerfield, Warsaw, Owatonna Airport, Clinton Falls, Faribault,
Medford and Owatonna.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from 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 4406 9364 4420 9360 4420 9353 4423 9353
4430 9321 4406 9322
TIME...MOT...LOC 2348Z 255DEG 20KT 4417 9351
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
CTG5 follow-up statements
956
WWUS53 KMPX 132359 RRA
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
659 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
MNC131-147-161-140030-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260414T0030Z/
Rice MN-Steele MN-Waseca MN-
659 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN RICE, NORTHWESTERN STEELE AND NORTHEASTERN WASECA
COUNTIES...
At 659 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Morristown, or 10 miles southwest of Faribault,
moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Waseca, Sakatah Lake State Park, Morristown, Deerfield, Warsaw,
Owatonna Airport, Clinton Falls, Faribault, Medford and Owatonna.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4407 9354 4420 9353 4423 9353 4430 9321
4406 9322
TIME...MOT...LOC 2348Z 255DEG 20KT 4417 9351
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
CTG418
WWUS53 KMPX 140006
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
706 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
MNC131-147-161-140030-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260414T0030Z/
Rice MN-Steele MN-Waseca MN-
706 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL RICE, NORTHWESTERN STEELE AND NORTHEASTERN WASECA COUNTIES...
At 706 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles east of Waseca, or 8 miles west of Owatonna,
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.
This tornado will be near...
Medford around 720 PM CDT. Owatonna around 725 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by the tornado include Deerfield, Owatonna
Airport and Clinton Falls.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from 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 4407 9350 4419 9349 4426 9321 4406 9322
TIME...MOT...LOC 2359Z 271DEG 22KT 4411 9343
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
JRB647
WWUS53 KMPX 140019
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
719 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
MNC161-140029-
/O.CAN.KMPX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260414T0030Z/
Waseca MN-
719 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHEASTERN WASECA COUNTY...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT Monday for a
portion of south central Minnesota.
&&
LAT...LON 4412 9341 4420 9340 4425 9321 4406 9322
4407 9341
TIME...MOT...LOC 0006Z 271DEG 22KT 4411 9337
$$
MNC131-147-140030-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260414T0030Z/
Rice MN-Steele MN-
719 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL RICE AND NORTHWESTERN STEELE COUNTIES...
At 719 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Owatonna, 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.
This tornado will be near...
Medford around 720 PM CDT. Owatonna around 725 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by the tornado include Owatonna Airport and
Clinton Falls.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from 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 4412 9341 4420 9340 4425 9321 4406 9322
4407 9341
TIME...MOT...LOC 0006Z 271DEG 22KT 4411 9337
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
CTG523
WWUS53 KMPX 140023
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
723 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
MNC131-140033-
/O.CAN.KMPX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260414T0030Z/
Rice MN-
723 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
...TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTH CENTRAL RICE COUNTY...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT Monday for a
portion of south central Minnesota.
&&
LAT...LON 4412 9338 4419 9336 4420 9332 4420 9322
4406 9322 4408 9336
TIME...MOT...LOC 0019Z 271DEG 22KT 4411 9326
$$
MNC147-140030-
/O.CON.KMPX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260414T0030Z/
Steele MN-
723 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN STEELE COUNTY...
At 723 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Owatonna, 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.
This tornado will be near...
Owatonna and Medford around 725 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by the tornado include Owatonna Airport and
Clinton Falls.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from 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 4412 9338 4419 9336 4420 9332 4420 9322
4406 9322 4408 9336
TIME...MOT...LOC 0019Z 271DEG 22KT 4411 9326
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
JRB755
WWUS53 KMPX 140033 RRA
SVSMPX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
733 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
MNC147-140043-
/O.EXP.KMPX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260414T0030Z/
Steele MN-
733 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
...TORNADO WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR NORTHWESTERN STEELE COUNTY...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been allowed to expire.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT Monday for a
portion of south central Minnesota.
&&
LAT...LON 4412 9338 4419 9336 4420 9332 4420 9322
4406 9322 4408 9336
TIME...MOT...LOC 0023Z 271DEG 22KT 4411 9323
$$
JRBThe office that day
Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 3:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Dakota, Goodhue, Rice | 41 min |
| Apr 13, 3:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Goodhue | 43 min |
| Apr 13, 3:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Rice | 35 min |
| Apr 13, 3:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Rice | 35 min |
| Apr 13, 4:09 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Goodhue | 58 min |
| Apr 13, 4:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Goodhue | 61 min |
| Apr 13, 5:01 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | MPX | Goodhue | 5 hr |
| Apr 13, 5:22 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Goodhue | 53 min |
| Apr 13, 5:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Martin, Watonwan | 48 min |
| Apr 13, 5:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Le Sueur, Nicollet | 50 min |
| Apr 13, 5:58 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan | 47 min |
| Apr 13, 5:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Dakota, Le Sueur, Rice | 61 min |
| Apr 13, 6:04 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Blue Earth, Brown, Nicollet | 56 min |
| Apr 13, 6:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Le Sueur, Rice | 65 min |
| Apr 13, 6:28 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MPX | Blue Earth, Faribault, Martin | 47 min |
| Apr 13, 6:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Faribault, Martin | 65 min |
| Apr 13, 6:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Blue Earth, Watonwan | 58 min |
| Apr 13, 6:46 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Watonwan | 67 min |
| Apr 13, 6:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MPX | Goodhue | 53 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.