A low pressure system of historic strength led to a variety of high-end weather impacts from the central plains to the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes December 15-16. An unprecedented December severe weather unfolded over portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin Wednesday evening, with the Storm Prediction Center issuing their farthest-north Moderate Risk for the Month of December.
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 MPX wrote it up.
A low pressure system of historic strength led to a variety of high-end weather impacts from the central plains to the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes December 15-16. An unprecedented December severe weather unfolded over portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin Wednesday evening, with the Storm Prediction Center issuing their farthest-north Moderate Risk for the Month of December. A serial derecho moving at 60-70 mph tracked from Kansas to Wisconsin, resulting in over 400 reports of damaging wind and numerous tornadoes. Most of the damage across our area occurred from south-central Minnesota through west-central Wisconsin. The strongest tornado in west central Wisconsin hit Stanley.
Before the thunderstorms, strong southerly winds led to record high temperature at many sites across the Upper Midwest. Temperatures warmed into the mid to upper 50s across much of central Minnesota and western Wisconsin, and even exceeded 60 degrees across southern Minnesota. The warm temperatures melted what was left of the snowpack from the December 10 winter storm, which led to widespread dense fog through much of the morning and afternoon.
After the thunderstorms, strong gradient winds and widespread wind gusts in excess of 50 mph developed for several hours late Wednesday night and into the overnight hours. The Redwood Falls airport measured a gust of 78 mph at 11:30 PM.
Temperatures quickly fell below freezing across western and central Minnesota Wednesday night, causing rain to change over to a wintry mix of freezing drizzle and snow. Snowfall accumulations of 1-4 inches, along with the strong gusty winds, led to low visibility and travel hazards late Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
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 Twin Cities, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 15, 6:29 PM CST, 1 hour 41 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
629 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
.UPDATE...
Issued at 611 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
Updated to include 00z aviation discussion below.
&&
.DISCUSSION...(This evening through Tuesday)
Issued at 342 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
KEY MESSAGES...
1. A widespread damaging wind event is unfolding this evening, as a
severe line of thunderstorms races across the central plains into the
Upper Midwest. These storms will impact southern and eastern
Minnesota into Wisconsin between 5 PM and 9 PM. Wind gusts could
exceed 80 mph within this line of storms. A few tornadoes are also
possible, a couple of which could be strong/intense.
2. Snowfall accumulations of 2-4 inches across west-central
Minnesota, which will lead to winter weather hazards after the rain
changes over to snow tonight.
3. A high end wind event develops
behind the storms tonight, with gusts of 50-60 mph across the entire
region
SEVERE WEATHER THIS EVENING:
A widespread damaging wind event is already unfolding over the
central plains, as wind gusts of 80-90 mph have been reported with a
line of storms over Nebraska. This line of storms will continue to
race northeastwards this evening at speeds near 70 mph, impacting
Minnesota and western Wisconsin this evening. Timing of this line has
been fairly consistent through the day, with thunderstorms expected
to enter southern Minnesota between 5-6 PM, reach the Twin Cities
metro/I-35 corridor by 7-8 PM, and exit through west-central
Minnesota through 8-9 PM. Instability is not as high across Minnesota
and Wisconsin compared to the central plains, but even a few hundred
J/kg will be sufficient to bring damaging wind gusts to the surface
given the incredible wind fields. Widespread wind gusts of 60+ mph
look likely, with locally enhanced gusts of 70-80 mph not out of the
question. A few tornadoes embedded within the line of storms can also
not be ruled out, as low level wind shear and helicity are about as
high as you will see in a severe weather event. Chances do look
higher for the significant wind gusts and tornadoes from south-
central and southeast Minnesota into west- central Wisconsin, but
anywhere that sees storms tonight will have a risk for damaging wind.
The incredibly fast motion of these storms, along with the fact that
they will occur at night, both increase the danger of tonight's
storms. With storm motion near 70 mph, little time for action will be
present once warnings are issued. Now is the time to have a safe
place in mind, and be ready to act if/when warnings are issued for
your location this evening.
WINTER WEATHER TONIGHT:
As temperatures fall behind a cold front this evening, the rain will
quickly change over to a wintry mix, and then to snow, across western
and central Minnesota this evening. Wind gusts in excess of 50 mph
will lead to low visibility whenever snow falls tonight, with near
blizzard conditions possible across west- central Minnesota where the
heaviest snow is expected. The greatest impacts are expected between
10 PM to 2 AM, but some travel impacts will likely continue into
Thursday morning. As temperatures cool below freezing tonight, a few
hours of a wintry mix is possible before the snow begins, with a
glaze of ice accumulation possible across west- central Minnesota.
Once the precipitation changes over to snow, accumulations of 2-4"
look most likely along and west of a line from Stevens to Pope
county. However, higher amounts are possible depending on how quick
the rain changes over to snow. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued
for this area, but Blizzard Warnings may need to be considered if
snowfall amounts trend closer to 4-6" or higher. Farther east, a
Winter Weather Advisory is in effect where light snow amounts around
1", along with wind gusts in excess of 50 mph, will lead to travel
impacts late tonight into Thursday morning. In addition to the wintry
mix/snow/wind, a flash freeze is also likely across the warning &
advisory areas as temperatures quickly drop from the 40s into the
teens and low 20s. Any standing water on roadways will likely freeze
and lead to slick spots on roads and other surfaces. Chances for a
flash freeze are a bit lower farther east across eastern Minnesota
and western Wisconsin, as temperatures cool more slowly and stay
warmer overnight. Still, some slick spots may develop by early
thursday morning wherever water remains on the roads.
HIGH WIND TONIGHT:
After the line of thunderstorms moves through this evening,
background wind fields will actually increase as the core of the
surface low moves overhead. While peak wind gusts will not be as
strong as during the line of thunderstorms, persistent wind gusts in
excess of 50 mph are expected late tonight (generally from 10 PM - 5
AM). These could lead to additional damaging wind concerns and power
outages overnight, in addition to causing winter weather hazard
across western and central Minnesota. Wind speeds will begin to
diminish early Thursday morning, but gusts around 30 mph will likely
linger through Thursday morning. A High Wind Warning remains in
effect for the entire region this evening through tomorrow morning.
THURSDAY-NEXT WEEK
The return of a more normal mid-December pattern
is expected through the weekend and next week. We're expecting a
quiet period with a few chances for light snow and seasonable
temperatures.
Overnight lows for the period will vary from the single digits to
the upper-teens across the forecast area. Daytime highs will range
between the mid-teens to upper-20s with a brief warm up on Monday
into the lower 30s across southern MN and western WI. Guidance
suggests that our first chance of snow will come Friday afternoon
into Friday night. A shortwave quickly slides through the Upper
Midwest with light precipitation stretching from the Dakotas into
central Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. A limiting factor appears
to be a layer of dry air in the low-levels that will cause any
precipitation to evaporate before reaching the surface. A brief
window of time appears to open after the column saturates where
light snow will spread across central Minnesota. I've kept the NBM
PoPs (30 to 50) for Friday afternoon and night with relatively light
accumulations possible.
Saturday through Tuesday, northwesterly flow develops aloft and will
support a mostly dry period. However, model and ensemble guidance
continue to highlight the potential for embedded shortwaves that
could impact the forecast area. These impulses are difficult to
bring an area of light precipitation across the Upper Midwest, but
forecast confidence is low in regard to timing and placement of any
individual wave. With that in mind, I've opted to keep the low PoPs
in throughout the remainder of the forecast period.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday evening)
Issued at 611 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
Complicated forecast with the approaching line of storms (including
the potential for severe storms), prolonged strong winds behind
them, and ceilings/visibilities down to IFR overnight thru daybreak.
In western MN, visibilities are still down to around 1SM or lower,
being on the backside of the system. As winds increase, visibilities
will increase but low stratus will remain. On the warmer side of the
system (most of the MN TAFs and both WI TAFs), conditions will
quickly degrade as the storms sweep across the region. Some TS/CB
possible but mainly rain with drops in visibility due to the
intensity. Behind the storms, winds will swing around to SW and W,
then increase to around 30G50kt for late evening through the early
morning hours. Winds will decrease a bit prior to daybreak but still
be elevated going into the first half of Thursday. Frequent AMDs may
be necessary as this line moves across. Aviation interests should
plan ahead and try to avoid this system as strong/hazardous winds and
degraded flight conditions will be prolonged with this system.
KMSP...MVFR to start due to visibilities in light rain/sprinkles and
mist to start but the line of strong storms will push thru the Twin
Cities metro between 01z-03z. Will be quick-hitting, lasting between
30-45 minutes, but will produce IFR conditions and gusty winds.
Immediately behind the line, winds will swing from SE to SW and W
then increase to around 30G45kt for the rest of the evening into the
early morning hours. Ceilings will also drop into MVFR range, and
likely sub-1700ft through daybreak. Winds will gradually diminish
tomorrow and VFR conditions will prevail from midday tomorrow onward.
/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
Fri...VFR. Chc MVFR vsbys in -SN late. Wind NE 5-10 kts.
Sat...VFR. Wind NW 15G25 kts.
Sun...VFR. Wind S 10-15 kts.
&&
.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...High Wind Warning until 6 AM CST Thursday for Anoka-Benton-Blue
Earth-Brown-Carver-Chippewa-Chisago-Dakota-Douglas-Faribault-
Freeborn-Goodhue-Hennepin-Isanti-Kanabec-Kandiyohi-Lac Qui
Parle-Le Sueur-Martin-McLeod-Meeker-Mille Lacs-Morrison-
Nicollet-Pope-Ramsey-Redwood-Renville-Rice-Scott-Sherburne-
Sibley-Stearns-Steele-Stevens-Swift-Todd-Waseca-Washington-
Watonwan-Wright-Yellow Medicine.
Winter Storm Warning until 10 AM CST Thursday for Douglas-Pope-
Stevens-Todd.
Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to 10 AM CST Thursday
for Benton-Kanabec-Mille Lacs-Morrison-Stearns.
Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM CST Thursday for Chippewa-
Kandiyohi-Lac Qui Parle-Meeker-Redwood-Renville-Swift-Yellow
Medicine.
WI...High Wind Warning until 6 AM CST Thursday for Barron-Chippewa-Dunn-
Eau Claire-Pepin-Pierce-Polk-Rusk-St. Croix.
&&
UPDATE...JPC
DISCUSSION...ETA/BPH
AVIATION...JPCHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 344 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021 MNZ051>053-059>063-066>070-074>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016- 023>028-162145- Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington- McLeod-Sibley-Carver-Scott-Dakota-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Rice- Goodhue-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault- Freeborn-Polk-Barron-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-Chippewa- Eau Claire- 344 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Minnesota...east central Minnesota...south central Minnesota... southeast Minnesota...northwest Wisconsin and west central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Tonight. An outbreak of severe thunderstorms is likely early this evening. A line of thunderstorms will race northeast across southern and eastern Minnesota into Wisconsin between 5 PM and 9 PM. Widespread wind damage from gusts possibly exceeding 80 mph will accompany the storms. Tornadoes are also possible. There is a Moderate Risk of severe thunderstorms southeast of a line from Fairmont and Northfield, Minnesota, to Ellsworth, Wisconsin. The severe risk will gradually decrease to the north of that line. Very strong winds will develop behind a cold front tonight. Wind gusts of 60 to 65 mph are expected area wide. A High Wind Warning is in effect. Plummeting temperatures overnight could result in a flash freeze and icy spots on roads. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Wind gusts of 45 mph are possible early Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SKYWARN spotter activation will likely be needed this evening. MNZ041>045-047>050-054>058-064-065-073-162145- Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Stevens-Pope-Stearns- Benton-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Meeker- Yellow Medicine-Renville-Redwood- 344 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Minnesota...east central Minnesota...southwest Minnesota and west central Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a chance of thunderstorms this evening. A few storms may contain gusty winds. Very strong winds will develop behind a cold front tonight. Wind gusts of 60 to 65 mph are expected area wide. A High Wind Warning is in effect. Rain will turn to a wintry mix before turning to snow overnight. Total accumulations of 2 to 4 inches is expected in a line from Stevens to Todd County, where a Winter Storm Warning is in effect. Lesser snow totals of 1 to 2 inches are expected for those in the Winter Weather Advisory. Wind gusts up to 50 mph, in addition to the falling snow, will lead to significant visibility and travel impacts. Temperatures will also plummet from the 40s to the teens and 20s, resulting in a flash freeze. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Wind gusts of 45 mph are possible early Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SKYWARN spotter activation will not be needed, but wind damage and snow reports are appreciated.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
705 PM CST WED DEC 15 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 PM TSTM WND DMG CONGER 43.61N 93.53W
12/15/2021 FREEBORN MN EMERGENCY MNGR
REPORT OF TREES DOWN IN THE CONGER AREA.
&&
BPHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
707 PM CST WED DEC 15 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 PM TSTM WND GST 4 SSW CONGER 43.56N 93.57W
12/15/2021 M60 MPH FREEBORN MN MESONET
&&
BPHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
727 PM CST WED DEC 15 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0725 PM TSTM WND GST 1 WNW MORRISTOWN 44.23N 93.46W
12/15/2021 M75 MPH RICE MN TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
NDCPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
731 PM CST WED DEC 15 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0659 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSE ALDEN 43.66N 93.57W
12/15/2021 FREEBORN MN BROADCAST MEDIA
POWER POLES DOWN WITH TIME ESTIMATED BASED
ON RADAR.
&&
NDCPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
737 PM CST WED DEC 15 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0709 PM TSTM WND DMG HARTLAND 43.80N 93.49W
12/15/2021 FREEBORN MN EMERGENCY MNGR
HEAVY DAMAGE TO A BANK AND SEVERAL HOMES.
TIME ESTIMATED VIA RADAR. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
&&
BPHThe La Crosse radar (KARX), 108 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:11 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Pepin County primarily had minor damages trees down throughout the county, a couple of houses had minor roof damage, and one farm losing an agricultural structure that was only a year old.
A outdoor weather siren on the east side of County Road 00 was damaged. Several trees were blown down and blocking roads from near Diamond Bluff to Ellsworth.
Some power outages noted east and north of Menomonie, along with isolated areas of trees blown down.
Mainly tree damage. Some trees fell on sheds, houses and vehicles. Two sheds had their roofs partially removed. Time estimated from radar.
The tornado uprooted or broke hundreds of trees. Many trees landed on houses. Shingles were also removed from portions of two roofs. Soffits were torn away from three houses.
This tornado first caused damage to groves of trees southwest of Stanley, then affected a couple farmsteads. It intensified significantly as it approached Stanley, demolishing an outbuilding and then two outbuildings with a construction business. An historic train depot had a portion of its roof removed. A high tension power line was blown down. About six homes had their roofs removed, and in the northeast edge of Stanley, a roof and outer walls were removed from a portion of a house. The tornado continued into northwestern Clark County where it damaged more trees and outbuildings (see entry from NWS La Crosse).
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Wisconsin, 2021Warnings in Wisconsin, December 2021
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: 998129, 998128, 998132, 989831, 992239, 989835.