Tornadoes and Damaging Winds in Minnesota, September 19, 2017

Name: Tornadoes and Damaging Winds in Minnesota, September 19, 2017
Start: 2017-09-19T18:50
End: 2017-09-19T23:30
Location: Minnesota

September 19, 2017 · NWS FGF · 11 events in 7 counties and zones

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: $52,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Events: 11

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 FGF wrote it up.

Late in the afternoon of September 19th, a frontal boundary pushed into the Devils Lake to Jamestown (ND) corridor. Due to fairly extensive cloud cover throughout the day, late afternoon temperatures only ranged in the low 60s over the Devils Lake region, to the lower 70s over southeast North Dakota into west central Minnesota. Even though temperatures remained on the cool side, a strong moisture surge occurred. Cloud cover decreased somewhat over southeast North Dakota during the late afternoon, where thunderstorms flared up south of Jamestown. As this large thunderstorm cell moved into southwest Barnes County (ND), it produced a tornado near Litchville. This cell evolved into a larger storm complex, which moved east-northeast through the evening. This storm complex produced large hail, strong winds, and a second tornado along the Norman/Polk (MN) county border in Minnesota.

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 Grand Forks, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 19, 5:47 PM CST, 1 hour 3 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 19, 5:47 PM CST, 1 hour 3 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
647 PM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

.UPDATE...
Issued at 642 PM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

The strongest storms now over Cass and Barnes counties are moving
out of the strongest MLCAPE into increasing CIN and turning more
to an area of heavy rain with some small hail being reported in
Fargo...although high winds is still a concern. The best MLCAPE
values are over western zones just ahead of the sfc boundary which
is just entering Ramsey county. Expect severe threat over eastern
NODAK to continue as sfc bndry moves into this area of higher
MLCAPE values.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday)
Issued at 316 PM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

Severe thunderstorm chances continue to be the primary forecast
challenge for the period.

A line of showers and thunderstorms has been moving into the
Devils Lake Basin down to the James River Valley. This activity is
out ahead of the main surface trough axis and cold front. Strong
southeast winds have keep a lot of moisture streaming into the
central Dakotas. Clouds have covered much of the area today, but
there have been breaks and with strong mid level lapse rates and
very strong forcing, the leading storms will continue to
intensify and additional thunderstorm development will begin to
develop. The CAMs have strong storms into the Devils Lake area in
the next few hours and moving into the Red River Valley during the
00-03Z time frame. Most of the CAMs have the thunderstorms
developing into a quasi-linear complex, although some discrete
supercells are not out of the questions. Continue to think that
strong damaging winds will be the primary threat, although hail
and tornadoes will be possible, especially if cells become more
discrete.

The thunderstorm complex will continue to move into western MN
tonight, and even with decreasing surface instability, should
continue to be fairly strong with very vigorous forcing. Will have
to watch rainfall rates and training of thunderstorm cells for
heavy rain threat. With very dry conditions up until this point
don't think we will have a widespread flood risk but some issues
in urban areas could develop.

The thunderstorms will exit the area to the east as the cold front
pushes through sometime between 06 and 12Z with a few lingering
showers left behind. Southwest winds and warm air advection will
return fairly quickly for Wednesday as another trough develops to
our west. Other than a few lingering showers in the far northeast
conditions will be quiet and highs near normal.

.LONG TERM...(Wednesday night through Tuesday)
Issued at 316 PM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

Quieter conditions are expected for Wednesday night into Thursday.
Temperatures will begin to warm into the mid to upper 70s during the
day Thursday with southerly winds at 10 to 15 mph. Temperatures will
be warm again Friday with highs in the low 60s in northeastern North
Dakota and upper 70s in western Minnesota. With the passage of a
frontal system late Friday rain chances will increase across the
region. Rain chances will remain across western Minnesota and far
southeastern North Dakota Friday night through Monday morning.
Rainfall totals in these areas could reach over one inch. Locally
higher rainfall amounts are possible. Temperatures over Saturday and
Sunday will remain cool with highs in the upper 50s and low 60s.
Rain chances should diminish across western Minnesota and
southeastern North Dakota by Monday afternoon with highs in the low
60s expected.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday evening)
Issued at 642 PM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

VFR outside of thunderstorms but DVL/FAR both to see TSRA move
into area through late evening...GFK clearing soon but chances for
redevelopment behind current SHRA is probable. TVF to see TSRA
within the next hour and BJI later in the evening. Strongest
storms with potential for hail that could damage tied down acft is
expected at FAR/DVL through midnight.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...None.
MN...None.
&&

UPDATE...Speicher
SHORT TERM...JR
LONG TERM...AM
AVIATION...Speicher

Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 19, 5:17 AM CST, 13 hours 33 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
617 AM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

MNZ004>009-013-014-016-017-023-024-032-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-026-
054-201130-
Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-West Marshall-East Marshall-
North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake-North Clearwater-
South Beltrami-South Clearwater-Hubbard-Wadena-Towner-Cavalier-
Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh County-Eddy-Nelson-
Western Walsh County-
617 AM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North
Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Severe weather is expected for this afternoon and evening. Storms
will produce hail to 1.5 inches in diameter and wind gusts to 70
mph. The storms will be most likely between 3 pm CDT Tuesday to 1
AM CDT Wednesday. A tornado may be possible with the storms.
Locally heavy rain will be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required.

MNZ001>003-015-022-027>031-040-NDZ027>030-038-039-049-052-053-
201130-
West Polk-Norman-Clay-East Polk-Mahnomen-West Becker-East Becker-
Wilkin-West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Grant-Grand Forks-Griggs-
Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland-
617 AM CDT Tue Sep 19 2017

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North
Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and evening

Severe weather is expected for this afternoon and evening. Storms
will produce hail to 2 inches in diameter and wind gusts to 75
mph. The storms will be most likely between 3 pm CDT Tuesday to 1
AM CDT Wednesday. A tornado or two may be possible with the
storms. Locally heavy rain will be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required.

JH

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 19, 4:11 PM CST, 2 hours 39 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
511 PM CDT TUE SEP 19 2017

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

0430 PM     HAIL             2 SE LITCHVILLE         46.64N 98.16W
09/19/2017  E1.00 INCH       BARNES             ND   NWS EMPLOYEE

            QUARTER SIZED HAIL ACCOMPANIED BY 50 TO 60 MPH WINDS.

&&

ALEE

Local storm report, Sep 19, 5:39 PM CST, 1 hour 11 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
639 PM CDT TUE SEP 19 2017

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

0441 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NE LITCHVILLE         46.67N 98.18W
09/19/2017                   BARNES             ND   PUBLIC

            BARN HAD DAMAGE TO ROOF WITH TREE LIMBS IN ROOF. HOUSE
            HAD SHINGLES REMOVED.

&&

KNUTSVIG

Local storm report, Sep 19, 6:18 PM CST, 32 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
718 PM CDT TUE SEP 19 2017

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

0655 PM     HAIL             2 N ESMOND              48.06N 99.76W
09/19/2017  E1.00 INCH       BENSON             ND   PUBLIC

&&

KNUTSVIG

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 60 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:51 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Norman

When: September 19, 6:50 PM CST to 6:53 PM CST
Where: Norman County, 3.93 mi NNE of Lockhart to 5.19 mi NNE of Lockhart
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.37 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Continued into: Polk, Mn (FGF)
Property damage: $2,000
Crop damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.480, -96.530

This tornado began in Norman County, Minnesota, about three miles north-northeast of Lockhart. It tracked about a mile in Norman County, before it crossed into Polk County, where it continued about another three miles. The tornado ended at 701 PM CST, just past the community of Beltrami, Polk County. Peak winds were estimated at 105 mph.

Tornado, Polk

When: September 19, 6:53 PM CST to 7:01 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 3.47 mi S of Beltrami to 0.27 mi SSE of Beltrami
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.2 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: $3,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.500, -96.529

This tornado began in Norman County, about three miles north-northeast of Lockhart, at 650 PM CST. As it crossed into Polk County, about 653 PM CST, debris from the tornado broke windows in a vehicle. The tornado then snapped trees in and around the community of Beltrami and dismantled a metal wrapped pole shed. Peak winds were estimated at 105 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: September 19, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 3.12 mi ESE of Union Lake
Measured: 74 kt (85 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.580, -95.990

Trees were blown down at a farmstead, some being uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Red Lake

When: September 19, 7:50 PM CST
Where: Red Lake County, 3.45 mi S of Brooks
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.770, -96.000

Numerous four to six inch diameter tree branches were broken down in shelterbelts across southern Poplar River Township. A nearby MNDOT RWIS mesonet station also lost power.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: September 19, 7:59 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 1.46 mi NNW of Fosston Muni Arpt
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 47.600, -95.780

The AWOS at the Fosston airport measured the wind gust from the southwest. Shelterbelts in adjacent portions of Brandsvold Township had broken oak branches commensurate with these wind speeds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: September 19, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 3.72 mi W of Olga
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.680, -95.750

Several trees were blown down with large tree limbs scattered about.

Thunderstorm Wind, Becker

When: September 19, 9:55 PM CST
Where: Becker County, Cormorant
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 46.730, -96.070

Many large tree branches and power lines were blown down around Cormorant Lake, resulting in localized power outages.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mahnomen

When: September 19, 10:40 PM CST
Where: Mahnomen County, 8.41 mi S of Naytahwaush
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 47.150, -95.600

Numerous large tree branches and power lines were blown down around Tulaby Lake and Elbow Lake, resulting in localized power outages.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When: September 19, 10:54 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 0.69 mi S of Elbow Lake
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 45.990, -95.980

A few large tree branches were blown down around town. The peak wind measured at the Elbow Lake airport was 54 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: September 19, 11:25 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, 0.48 mi W of Henning
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 46.320, -95.440

A few four to six inch diameter tree branches were blown down in groves and shelterbelts across east central Henning Township.

Thunderstorm Wind, Otter Tail

When: September 19, 11:30 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, 1.46 mi SSW of Parkers Prairie
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.150, -95.330

Numerous trees were blown down around town. At least one tree fell on a house.

What these are

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.
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.

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, September 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: 715989, 716003, 715990, 715993, 715995, 715998, 716008, 716009, 716014, 716016, 716015.