A line of thunderstorms moved across southeast Minnesota during the late afternoon and evening of June 28th. These storms produced three brief EF-0 tornadoes across Olmsted County.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS ARX wrote it up.
A line of thunderstorms moved across southeast Minnesota during the late afternoon and evening of June 28th. These storms produced three brief EF-0 tornadoes across Olmsted County. The first occurred southwest of Viola, the second tornado occurred north of Dover and the third was east of Chester. These tornadoes only caused some crop and tree damage.
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 La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 28, 1:30 PM CST, 3 hours 52 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service La Crosse WI 230 PM CDT Wed Jun 28 2017 .SHORT TERM...Tonight through Thursday Issued at 230 PM CDT Wed Jun 28 2017 Obvious concern in short term is how storm threat this evening plays out. Lots of questions to answer with only a few hours potentially to decipher outcome. Quasi-zonal flow across northern tier of U.S. with several short waves moving with moderate mid-level flow. Short wave in question for tonight is slowly working across Minnesota. As of 19Z abundant convection still exists in area, lingering from early morning system. This continues to complicate outcome. Higher mixed layer CAPE pool of 1500-2500 J/Kg resides mainly west of the area while gradient region in our forecast area. Meanwhile, best shear, which is highest in 0-3km layer, has been advecting east today, and is strongest over Wisconsin areas. Low level shear /0- 1km/ is respectable as well, but again, is highest in Wisconsin. Mesoscale models continue to blossom convection from central/eastern Iowa into southern Wisconsin this afternoon where psuedo warm front exists along with slightly better moisture advection. These storms have more potential for large hail and/or damaging wind, along with more heavy rain. We've already seen fairly decent rainfall efficiencies with storms. Would expect watch to be issued south first. Further north, less cape to work with, but closer to short wave may produce slightly higher localized low-level shear. Latest update to Day 1 SPC outlook brought tornado risk northward which seems reasonable, albeit still conditional. While storms may not be as strong in western and north central Wisconsin as cold front approaches, there is a potential for brief tornado development. Confidence is low with any of these scenarios but there is potential there. Again - bears watching and be alert for. As wave progresses, storm activity should push east and south by late evening leading to quiet overnight and quiet spell for most of Thursday. Boundary with higher precipitable water levels will be shunted just to the south of the area, close enough though to be a player for late week. .LONG TERM...Thursday Night through Wednesday Issued at 230 PM CDT Wed Jun 28 2017 Weather will remain active at times in outer forecast periods, although sensible storm threat shouldn't be too strong or severe. Next upstream short wave in flow will begin to affect weather potentially already Thursday night with some return flow. Given proximity of boundary just south of the area, could see convection break out and spread back north into the area going into Friday morning as wave moves through. Higher severe weather risk should remain south and east of the area though where better thermodynamics will exist. Meanwhile medium range guidance suggests yet another short wave trough will drop into Great Lakes region as northwest flow becomes a bit more established. This could keep us unsettled for parts of the area this weekend with mainly diurnal showers and storms. More disagreement in models as you get into Sunday and Monday time frame. While upper ridge starts to form, some guidance drops a short wave through corn belt bringing an enhanced storm threat, but otherwise warming trend on tap. It's early yet, but outlook for Fourth of July holiday could be quiet with short range upper ridge and boundary south of the area. Lowered some guidance rain chances here based on trends. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday afternoon) Issued at 1235 PM CDT Wed Jun 28 2017 Scattered showers and storms expected to continue moving through the area this afternoon and evening, with ongoing storms in north- central Iowa possibly impacting KLSE. These storms look to generally stay south of KRST, but a few light showers may make their way into the area. An additional line of storms is expected to develop from southeast Minnesota into northwest Wisconsin by late afternoon and move southeast through the evening. KRST looks to be on the southern end of this line, so not enough confidence to include more than VCTS, but hi-res models have consistently shown line moving through KLSE, so have included TS in a TEMPO group from 00Z to 02Z. Lower ceilings and visibilities are possible with any thunderstorm that directly impacts a TAF site. Otherwise, ceilings will increase to VFR levels early this afternoon, with gusty winds around 25 kts expected through early this evening. All storms will be southeast of both TAF sites by 03Z. && .HYDROLOGY...Through This Evening Issued at 230 PM CDT Wed Jun 28 2017 Rainfall overnight was in 1-2" range in parts of the area, especially northeast Iowa. Rivers doing pretty good though. Storms should be fairly progressive tonight but will have to watch for repeat areas that could produce some localized issues. Once storms exit area later this evening, heavy rainfall threat much lower. && .ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. IA...None. && SHORT TERM...Shea LONG TERM...Shea AVIATION...CA HYDROLOGY...Shea
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service La Crosse WI 302 PM CDT Wed Jun 28 2017 IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029- 032>034-041>044-053>055-061-291100- Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette- Clayton-Wabasha-Dodge-Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston- Taylor-Clark-Buffalo-Trempealeau-Jackson-La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau- Adams-Vernon-Crawford-Richland-Grant- 302 PM CDT Wed Jun 28 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for parts of southeast Minnesota...northeast Iowa...and southwest into central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Additional scattered thunderstorms are expected through mid evening. Across northeast Iowa into southwest Wisconsin storms may be severe at times with large hail, damaging wind, heavy rain, and the potential for isolated tornadoes. From southeast Minnesota into western and north central Wisconsin, storms are expected to expand across the area with the potential for hail and isolated tornadoes. All this storm activity is expected to be south and east of the area by 10 pm. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Independence Day There will be periodic storm chances from Thursday night through Monday. It is too early to discern if there would be a severe threat. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed at times this afternoon and evening. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... No webinar is scheduled. Aegerter/Shea
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
539 PM CDT WED JUN 28 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0537 PM TSTM WND GST CASSVILLE 42.72N 90.99W
06/28/2017 E60 MPH GRANT WI FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
REPORT RELAYED BY THE EMERGENCY MANAGER.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
541 PM CDT WED JUN 28 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0523 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 SSE GIARD 42.96N 91.25W
06/28/2017 CLAYTON IA EMERGENCY MNGR
POWER LINES DOWN. 20-24 INCH TREE DOWN.
&&
TMSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
557 PM CDT WED JUN 28 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0554 PM TSTM WND GST 3 NE LANCASTER 42.88N 90.67W
06/28/2017 M63 MPH GRANT WI TRAINED SPOTTER
ON COUNTY RD A.
&&
TMSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
604 PM CDT WED JUN 28 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0603 PM TSTM WND GST MONTFORT 42.97N 90.43W
06/28/2017 E80 MPH GRANT WI FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
&&
DBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
604 PM CDT WED JUN 28 2017
IAZ029-030-282330-
Clayton-Fayette-
604 PM CDT WED JUN 28 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT CLAYTON AND
SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES...
At 603 PM CDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from Guttenberg to near Volga. Movement was
east at 55 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and dime size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Guttenberg, Elkader, Strawberry Point, Edgewood, Garnavillo,
Arlington, Volga, Stanley, Wadena, North Buena Vista, Garber,
Osterdock, Clayton, Elkport, Millville, Highways 3 And 187, Turkey
River, Highway 13 And County C 24, County Roads 3 And W 45 and
Albany.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
A tornado watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northeastern
Iowa...and southwestern Wisconsin.
LAT...LON 4264 9191 4287 9177 4293 9114 4291 9114
4288 9110 4283 9110 4283 9108 4274 9105
4269 9095 4267 9090 4265 9090
TIME...MOT...LOC 2303Z 268DEG 47KT 4279 9107 4279 9160
JAMPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
607 PM CDT WED JUN 28 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0603 PM TSTM WND GST 3 NW LIVINGSTON 42.93N 90.47W
06/28/2017 M78 MPH GRANT WI FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
&&
DBThe La Crosse radar (KARX), 93 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:22 UTC.
3 tornado, 2 flash flood, 1 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
An EF-0 tornado briefly touched down southwest of Viola. Little to no damage was reported with the tornado.
An EF-0 tornado touched down north of Dover and then traveled southeast for about a half mile. The tornado damaged some corn and trees.
An EF-0 tornado touched down in Chester Woods Park east of Chester and then traveled northeast for about a half mile. The tornado did some minor tree damage along its path.
A power pole was snapped off south of Rochester.
Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Middle Fork of the Whitewater River out of its banks in the Whitewater State Park. The river crested over a foot above the flood stage at 14.88 feet.
Runoff from heavy rain pushed Garvin Creek out of its banks around Stockton. Debris caught in the flood waters clogged culverts where the creek passes under County Road 23 causing enough dirt to be eroded that a portion of the road collapsed.
Runoff from heavy rain caused flood waters to flow down a dry run along County Highway 37 between Elba and Altura. The flood waters caused the road bank to erode in several places.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Minnesota in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Minnesota, 2017Warnings in Minnesota, June 2017
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: 705002, 705004, 705005, 705073, 705505, 705360, 705361.