Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, July 19, 2017

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, July 19, 2017
Start: 2017-07-19T12:31
End: 2017-07-19T23:48
Location: Minnesota

July 19, 2017 · NWS FSD · 7 events in 3 counties and zones

Thunderstorms developed in east Central South Dakota during the mid to late morning hours and moved into west central Minnesota along the Highway 14 corridor. These storms produced widespread wind damage, as well as spawned a few brief tornadoes.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $55,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 7

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS FSD wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jul 19, 5:20 AM CST, 7 hours 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 19, 5:20 AM CST, 7 hours 11 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
620 AM CDT Wed Jul 19 2017

.SHORT TERM...(Today and Tonight)
Issued at 344 AM CDT Wed Jul 19 2017

The main concerns the next 24 hours will be the heat and the
thunderstorm chances.

First the heat. Warm and very humid air will build through the day
as winds turn more southerly into the afternoon. Dew points early
this morning were in the lower to mid 70s across eastern Nebraska
with that humid air expected to advect north through the morning.
Have added in a few counties to the heat advisory but even those not
in the advisory heat indices will be well into the 90s. A few
locations near the Missouri River will likely reach or eclipse 110
degrees for a couple of hours late this afternoon.

The thunderstorm threat becomes very interesting late this afternoon
and early this evening as a strong right entrance region to the
upper jet moves in just northeast of the area. This sets up a very
favorable profile for potential organized severe weather, especially
a wind threat with dry air aloft across southwest MN. A deep inflow
of southerly winds from about 800mb to the surface will quickly
transition to strong southwest flow around 750mb. Winds aloft in the
500mb to 200mb layer running about 70 to 90 knots which might give a
little extra punch to the potential forward propagation into the
strong inflow. CAPE values around 3000 J/kg will also lead towards
the potential for organized severe storms. Suspect a potential for a
few supercells just north of the area late afternoon and evening,
then a turn to the southeast and becoming more of a linear wind
threat with some potential for westward development into the strong
inflow and enhanced EML. The best chance for severe thunderstorms
should be from about 6 pm to 11 pm.

.LONG TERM...(Thursday through Tuesday)
Issued at 344 AM CDT Wed Jul 19 2017

Appears to be another warm sultry day across the region on Thursday.
Cloud debris across the north may keep things a shade cooler, but
with full sun across the south, the heat advisory is warranted.  May
need to expand the headline northward depending on where the clouds
set up.

A series of short waves look to track through the region Thursday
night into Friday morning. Certainly not as much shear as Tuesday
night, but a decent set up for elevated storms capable of producing
hail with very steep lapse rates from 700-500 mb.

A few more disturbances track through the area on Friday night
creating the outside chance for scattered storms across the area.

The weekend looks to be mainly dry with surface ridge building into
the Northern Plains on Sunday.  With the northerly flow developing
on Sunday, cooler conditions will prevail Sunday into Monday before
warmer more humid conditions develop mid week.  Wednesday appears to
be unsettled, with another set of disturbances tracking through the
region topping the ridge across the Central portion of the country.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Thursday morning)
Issued at 617 AM CDT Wed Jul 19 2017

Patchy IFR conditions will be likely through about mid morning
with quickly improving conditions after. Southwest MN and south
central SD are the most likely locations for lower conditions.
After this the concern turns to thunderstorms, with severe weather
likely, especially across northeast SD into west central MN after
22z. Some spotty shower and thunderstorm activity will be possible
before with the better chances north of Interstate 90.

&&

.FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...Heat Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM CDT this evening
     for SDZ038-050-052>054-057>071.

MN...None.
IA...Heat Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM CDT this evening
     for IAZ001-012-013-020>022-031-032.

     Heat Advisory from 1 PM to 8 PM CDT Thursday for IAZ031-032.

NE...Heat Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM CDT this evening
     for NEZ013-014.

     Heat Advisory from 1 PM to 8 PM CDT Thursday for NEZ013-014.

&&

SHORT TERM...08
LONG TERM...BT
AVIATION...08

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 19, 3:37 AM CST, 8 hours 54 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
437 AM CDT Wed Jul 19 2017

IAZ020-031-NEZ013-014-SDZ050-057-058-063>066-068>071-200945-
Plymouth-Woodbury-Dixon-Dakota-Gregory-Brule-Aurora-Charles Mix-
Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton-Clay SD-Union-
437 AM CDT Wed Jul 19 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Iowa,
west central Iowa, northeast Nebraska, south central South
Dakota, and southeast South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

The combination of heat and humidity will bring afternoon heat
indices to 105 to 110 across the area through Thursday.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible late this
afternoon and evening. A strong storm or two is possible,
especially east of Interstate 29. Large hail and damaging winds
are the primary risks.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Storm chances continue Thursday night into Friday and into the
upcoming weekend. While the risk of severe storms appears low,
there remains considerable uncertainty on the exact location and
intensity of any thunderstorm activity.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is possible after 5 pm.

IAZ001-012>014-021-022-032-SDZ038-039-052>055-059>062-067-200945-
Lyon IA-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay IA-Cherokee-Buena Vista-Ida-Beadle-
Kingsbury-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Davison-Hanson-McCook-
Minnehaha-Lincoln SD-
437 AM CDT Wed Jul 19 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Iowa,
west central Iowa, central South Dakota, east central South
Dakota, and southeast South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

The combination of heat and humidity will will create heat index
values to near 105 across the area today.

Scattered thunderstorms will be possible late this afternoon into
tonight. The highest risk of thunderstorm activity will be
focused across southwest Minnesota, where a complex of storms may
track this evening. Large hail up to half dollar and damaging
winds up to 70 mph are the primary risks.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Storm chances continue Thursday night into Friday and into the
upcoming weekend. While the risk of severe storms appears low,
there remains considerable uncertainty on the exact location and
intensity of any thunderstorm activity.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

IAZ002-003-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-098-SDZ040-056-200945-
Osceola-Dickinson-Lincoln MN-Lyon MN-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-
Jackson-Pipestone-Rock-Brookings-Moody-
437 AM CDT Wed Jul 19 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Iowa,
southwest Minnesota, and east central South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

The combination of heat and humidity will create heat index
values in the 90s today.

Strong to severe thunderstorms will be likely late this afternoon
into the evening. Large hail up to golf ball and damaging winds
up to 90 mph are the primary risks.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Storm chances continue Thursday night into Friday and into the
upcoming weekend. While the risk of severe storms appears low,
there remains considerable uncertainty on the exact location and
intensity of any thunderstorm activity.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 19, 11:27 AM CST, 1 hour 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD
1227 PM CDT WED JUL 19 2017

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

1136 AM     TSTM WND GST     6 NNE HURON             44.44N 98.17W
07/19/2017  E70 MPH          BEADLE             SD   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ALSO NICKEL SIZE HAIL.

&&

MG

Local storm report, Jul 19, 11:31 AM CST, 1 hour before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD
1231 PM CDT WED JUL 19 2017

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

1230 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 N HURON               44.40N 98.22W
07/19/2017  M83 MPH          BEADLE             SD   ASOS

&&

MG

Local storm report, Jul 19, 11:33 AM CST, 58 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD
1233 PM CDT WED JUL 19 2017

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

1136 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 N HURON               44.40N 98.22W
07/19/2017  M83 MPH          BEADLE             SD   ASOS

&&

MG

Local storm report, Jul 19, 11:34 AM CST, 57 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD
1234 PM CDT WED JUL 19 2017

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

1152 AM     TSTM WND GST     3 E CAVOUR              44.38N 97.98W
07/19/2017  M72 MPH          BEADLE             SD   MESONET

&&

MG

Local storm report, Jul 19, 12:22 PM CST, 9 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD
122 PM CDT WED JUL 19 2017

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

0105 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 NNE BROOKINGS         44.33N 96.77W
07/19/2017  M74 MPH          BROOKINGS          SD   MESONET

&&

MG

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 83 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:33 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When: July 19, 12:31 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County, 1.7 mi NW of Lake Benton
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.270, -96.320

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When: July 19, 12:45 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County, 0.85 mi NE of Lake Benton
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.260, -96.290

Multiple tree branches were downed by strong winds.

Tornado, Lyon

When: July 19, 1:00 PM CST to 1:02 PM CST
Where: Lyon County, 5 mi SSW of Marshall to 4.5 mi SSW of Marshall
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.383, -95.819

Most of the damage to the area was a result of 80 to 100 mph winds. However, there were indications of a very brief tornado that enhanced the damage.

Tornado, Lyon

When: July 19, 1:02 PM CST to 1:03 PM CST
Where: Lyon County, 4 mi S of Marshall to 3.5 mi SSE of Marshall
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.54 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.392, -95.780

Most of the damage was a result of strong thunderstorm winds of 80 to 100 mph, but the damage survey results showed an indication of a brief tornado that resulted in an enhanced area of damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cottonwood

When: July 19, 1:38 PM CST
Where: Cottonwood County, 3.63 mi NW of Windom Muni Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.950, -95.180

Tree branches downed.

Hail, Cottonwood

When: July 19, 11:47 PM CST
Where: Cottonwood County, Windom
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.870, -95.120

Hail, Cottonwood

When: July 19, 11:48 PM CST
Where: Cottonwood County, Windom
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.870, -95.120

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Minnesota in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 2017 Warnings in Minnesota, July 2017

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 714047, 714046, 714053, 714056, 714048, 714044, 714045.