Hail in Minnesota, July 22, 2023

Name: Hail in Minnesota, July 22, 2023
Start: 2023-07-22T16:49
End: 2023-07-22T18:30
Location: Minnesota

July 22, 2023 · NWS ARX · 10 events in 3 counties and zones

Where it happened

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

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Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
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Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
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Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 10

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 ARX wrote it up.

A cluster of storms moved through the Upper Mississippi River Valley during the evening hours of July 22nd. The line of storms spanned from Mower to Houston County with stronger storms along the western portion of the line. Resultant large to very large hail was recorded in Dodge, Olmsted, and Mower counties. The largest hail recorded was ping pong ball size in Rochester (Olmsted County) and near Grand Meadow (Mower County).

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 La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 22, 1:38 PM CST, 3 hours 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 22, 1:38 PM CST, 3 hours 11 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
238 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

.DISCUSSION...(This evening through Saturday)
Issued at 223 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

Key Messages:

 - Scattered showers/storms possible into this evening; perhaps a
   stronger storm or two with small hail and gusty winds

 - Temperatures increasing through midweek with some river valleys
   possibly achieving heat indices of 100-105 Wed and especially
   Thu, but the heat will be seasonable by late July standards

 - Occasional rain/storm chances next week

Rest of today into tonight...

An upper level shortwave can be seen well on current satellite
imagery this afternoon, with showers and thunderstorms continuing
to track southeast from Minnesota into northwestern Wisconsin. A
cu field is also visible across Wisconsin, with showers and
thunderstorms developing across some areas of the state. A look
at SPC mesoscale analysis data shows areas of around 1000 J/kg of
CAPE available for storms to work with, though very little deep
layer shear. The stronger storms have had a fair amount of
lightning, with some reports of hail with the cells
developing/moving from MN into northwest Wisconsin this afternoon.
These shower and storm chances will continue into the evening as
the shortwave continues to dive down across the area, with chances
diminishing and leaving fairly quiet conditions into the
overnight.

Main story next week -- turning seasonably hot...

Bottom line...heat will be building across the region next week,
peaking Wednesday and Thursday with highs likely in the low to mid
90s and some river valleys possibly achieving heat indices of 100 to
105. However, signals continue to trend towards just a period of
seasonable summer heat for our area, nothing record breaking or
excessive by late July standards.

Background...Guidance continues to trend towards a less amplified
mid-level ridge extending into the region by midweek, which looks to
suppress the potential for any excessive heat locally. Once the +2
to 4 sigma western ridge tries to advance east of the Rockies by
Tuesday, guidance shows a deep upper low coming ashore British
Columbia that will quickly dampen the ridge over the Plains. The
pattern gives way to broad, low-amplitude ridging over the nation's
midsection by Wednesday and transitions to nearly zonal flow for the
Upper Mississippi Valley by Thursday. So what had earlier looked
like potential for a stretch of excessive heat for our area
continues to look more like just a typical mid-summer warm spell.
Nothing really stands out for our area with regard to ensemble
height/temperature anomalies, though the GEFS continues to be on the
extreme warm end of guidance. With the GFS's dry soil temperature
bias, the 22.12Z GEFS has increased probabilities for Wed highs of
100+ to 70% within the Mississippi River Valley from La Crosse
southward. That's quite excessive when compared to the 12.06Z EPS
which shows a 0% chance of that occurring. That said, current
forecast indicates a possibility for heat indices to climb into the
100 to 105 range (particularly on Thursday) in the river valleys,
suggesting some areas could perhaps need a heat advisory eventually.

Occasional rain chances next week...

Periodic opportunities for showers and storms will continue into
next week, mostly driven by weak embedded shortwaves in the
northwesterly flow aloft. Model differences in timing and track of
these individual shortwaves lends to lower confidence in specific
timing of these rounds of convection and locations impacted.

An area of convection on our western doorstep driven by a weakening
low level jet is hinted at Monday morning by several solutions,
including the CAMs. Low confidence in how and exactly where this
might play out (perhaps staying just west of our area) as well as
what impacts it might have on additional convection developing
later in the day. Some guidance suggests a better opportunity for
another round of convection in the afternoon-evening timeframe as
the shortwave moves through, accompanied by a feed of moisture
transport directed into the area. There are questions though of
how much instability and shear might come into play due to an
elevated warm layer.

Low predictability with mostly small occasional rain chances from
Wednesday onward tied to passing weak shortwaves in the flow aloft.
Right now a cold front is progged to usher in some relief from the
heat Thursday night into Friday, but it also looks to introduce the
relatively better rain chances (40%) through this period.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon)
Issued at 106 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

Current satellite imagery shows a cu field has started to develop
across much of Wisconsin, with a few showers beginning to pop up
east of the TAF sites. The main concern this afternoon and evening
will revolve around any impacts at TAF sites with developing
showers and storms as a shortwave continues to drop across the
area. These showers/storms will be more scattered in nature, so
have only highlighted a short window this afternoon/early evening
with a tempo group at both KLSE and KRST. Will continue to monitor
for any updates, especially to timing, that may be needed in the
shorter term. With any showers or storms, gusty winds and short
periods of visibility restrictions may be possible. Otherwise, VFR
conditions look to prevail.

&&

.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...NONE.
MN...NONE.
IA...NONE.
&&

DISCUSSION...EMS/Kurz
AVIATION...EMS

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 22, 1:51 PM CST, 2 hours 58 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
251 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029-
032>034-041>044-053>055-061-231200-
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-
251 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast
Minnesota...northeast Iowa and southwest into central Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon into Tonight

Scattered storms are expected this afternoon and evening across
most of the area. Lightning will be the main threat, though any
stronger storm could also produce small hail and gusty winds.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Periodic storm chances dot the extended forecast. Monday evening
boasts an isolated chance for severe weather, especially in
portions of northeast Iowa. Large hail looks to be the primary
threat at this time.

Heat and humidity will steadily build through the middle of next
week with highs climbing into the low to mid 90s for most
locations by Wednesday. Thursday will be the hottest day with heat
indices expected to climb into the 95 to 105 range.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

No action is needed.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

No webinar is scheduled.

Kurz

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 22, 2:51 PM CST, 1 hour 58 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
351 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

WIZ029-032>034-222145-
Buffalo WI-Jackson WI-Trempealeau WI-Clark WI-
351 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Buffalo, southern
Clark, northern Jackson and Trempealeau Counties through 445 PM
CDT...

At 350 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Greenwood to near Pepin. Movement was east at
40 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Loyal around 400 PM CDT.
  Modena around 410 PM CDT.
  Independence around 440 PM CDT.
  Whitehall around 445 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4415 9180 4420 9187 4427 9190 4429 9193
      4433 9192 4441 9208 4455 9204 4460 9175
      4460 9092 4470 9092 4475 9055 4472 9032
      4442 9032
TIME...MOT...LOC 2050Z 281DEG 34KT 4476 9060 4450 9208

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

JSB

Special weather statement, Jul 22, 3:33 PM CST, 1 hour 16 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
433 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

WIZ032>034-041-042-222230-
Buffalo WI-Jackson WI-Trempealeau WI-La Crosse WI-Monroe WI-
433 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of east central Buffalo,
northern La Crosse, southwestern Jackson, northwestern Monroe and
Trempealeau Counties through 530 PM CDT...

At 431 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Strum to near Whitehall to
near Arcadia. Movement was southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Galesville and North Bend around 505 PM CDT.
  Black River Falls around 520 PM CDT.
  Onalaska, Holmen and Cataract around 525 PM CDT.
  Sparta, West Salem, Bangor, Millston and Fort Mc Coy around 530 PM
  CDT.

People attending the La Crosse County Fairgrounds should seek safe
shelter immediately!

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4424 9055 4391 9066 4384 9112 4427 9176
      4432 9140 4459 9131
TIME...MOT...LOC 2131Z 307DEG 29KT 4449 9129 4430 9135 4426 9161

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

JSB

Special weather statement, Jul 22, 4:06 PM CST, 43 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
506 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

MNZ079-087-088-095-WIZ032-222300-
Wabasha MN-Olmsted MN-Fillmore MN-Winona MN-Buffalo WI-
506 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Winona, eastern
Olmsted, Wabasha, north central Fillmore and central Buffalo Counties
through 600 PM CDT...

At 505 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Stockholm to 9 miles southwest of Pepin to
near Goodhue. Movement was southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Wabasha around 525 PM CDT.
  Plainview and Kellogg around 535 PM CDT.
  Alma around 540 PM CDT.
  Buffalo City around 545 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4437 9255 4437 9243 4440 9243 4439 9234
      4446 9229 4445 9224 4444 9221 4442 9212
      4441 9209 4441 9208 4445 9207 4444 9207
      4406 9167 4381 9187 4389 9231 4425 9255
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 329DEG 28KT 4448 9222 4435 9231 4440 9256

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

JSB

Special weather statement, Jul 22, 4:09 PM CST, 40 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
509 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

MNZ088-WIZ033-034-041>043-053-222315-
Winona MN-Juneau WI-Jackson WI-Vernon WI-Trempealeau WI-La Crosse WI-
Monroe WI-
509 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern Winona,
La Crosse, southwestern Jackson, southwestern Juneau, northern
Vernon, Monroe and south central Trempealeau Counties through 615 PM
CDT...

At 508 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Black River Falls to 6 miles north of
Cataract to 6 miles southeast of North Bend to near Winona. Movement
was southeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Black River Falls and Cataract around 515 PM CDT.
  Bangor around 520 PM CDT.
  Sparta, Dakota, Brice Prairie and Fort Mc Coy around 525 PM CDT.
  La Crosse, Tomah, La Crescent, Onalaska, Holmen, La Crosse Airport
  and French Island around 535 PM CDT.

People attending the La Crosse County Fairgrounds should seek safe
shelter immediately!

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4364 9002 4364 9031 4356 9031 4355 9090
      4376 9125 4385 9129 4385 9141 4404 9174
      4403 9156 4404 9157 4405 9107 4420 9087
      4437 9103 4394 9014 4371 8993
TIME...MOT...LOC 2208Z 305DEG 38KT 4429 9093 4418 9083 4403 9103 4402
9160

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

JSB

Special weather statement, Jul 22, 4:29 PM CST, 20 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
529 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

MNZ088-WIZ034-041>043-053-222330-
Winona MN-Juneau WI-Jackson WI-Vernon WI-La Crosse WI-Monroe WI-
529 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern Winona,
La Crosse, south central Jackson, southern Juneau, northern Vernon
and Monroe Counties through 630 PM CDT...

At 527 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Black River Falls to near Millston to near
Sparta to near Trempealeau. Movement was southeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Sparta and Fort Mc Coy around 535 PM CDT.
  Millston around 540 PM CDT.
  Tomah, La Crescent, Onalaska, Holmen and La Crosse Airport around
  545 PM CDT.
  West Salem around 555 PM CDT.

People attending the La Crosse County Fairgrounds  should seek safe
shelter immediately!

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4364 9000 4364 9031 4358 9031 4357 9106
      4372 9126 4378 9124 4384 9128 4385 9142
      4399 9161 4400 9094 4415 9073 4431 9090
      4396 9009 4373 8987
TIME...MOT...LOC 2227Z 303DEG 33KT 4424 9079 4413 9069 4398 9089 4397
9146

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

JSB

Special weather statement, Jul 22, 4:35 PM CST, 14 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
535 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

MNZ079-087-088-095-096-WIZ032-222330-
Wabasha MN-Olmsted MN-Fillmore MN-Winona MN-Houston MN-Buffalo WI-
535 PM CDT Sat Jul 22 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Winona, Olmsted,
south central Wabasha, Houston, Fillmore and south central Buffalo
Counties through 630 PM CDT...

At 534 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Rollingstone to near Byron. Movement was
southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Fountain City, Rollingstone and Altura around 540 PM CDT.
  Winona and Goodview around 545 PM CDT.
  Stockton around 550 PM CDT.
  Stewartville around 600 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4409 9268 4420 9175 4372 9126 4361 9127
      4360 9125 4350 9203 4350 9236 4364 9245
      4383 9245 4383 9258 4399 9268
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 328DEG 30KT 4414 9181 4405 9260

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

JSB

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 110 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:49 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Olmsted

When: July 22, 4:49 PM CST
Where: Olmsted County, 0.99 mi W of Oronoco
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.170, -92.550

Public reported quarter sized hail near Oronoco.

Hail, Olmsted

When: July 22, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Olmsted County, 1.98 mi W of Oronoco
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.170, -92.570

Public reported half dollar sized hail near Oronoco.

Hail, Olmsted

When: July 22, 5:12 PM CST
Where: Olmsted County, 2.55 mi NE of Rochester
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.060, -92.440

Public reported quarter to ping pong ball sized hail in Rochester.

Hail, Dodge

When: July 22, 5:18 PM CST
Where: Dodge County, 1.21 mi NE of Hayfield
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.890, -92.850

Public reported quarter sized hail near Hayfield.

Hail, Olmsted

When: July 22, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Olmsted County, 1.64 mi WNW of Chester
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.010, -92.380

Public reported quarter sized hail near Chester.

Hail, Olmsted

When: July 22, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Olmsted County, 2.81 mi N of Rochester
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.070, -92.480

Public reported nickel sized hail near Rochester.

Hail, Dodge

When: July 22, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Dodge County, 1.7 mi SE of Hayfield
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.860, -92.850

Public reported quarter sized hail near Hayfield.

Hail, Olmsted

When: July 22, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Olmsted County, 0.85 mi NE of Rochester
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.040, -92.460

Trained spotter reported nickel sized hail near Rochester.

Hail, Mower

When: July 22, 6:07 PM CST
Where: Mower County, 0.85 mi NE of Grand Meadow
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.710, -92.570

Public reported ping pong ball sized hail near Grand Meadow.

Hail, Olmsted

When: July 22, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Olmsted County, 0.85 mi NE of Byron
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 44.040, -92.640

Public reported quarter sized hail near Byron.

What these are

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 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Minnesota, July 2023

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: 1128679, 1128673, 1128674, 1128672, 1128670, 1128681, 1128671, 1128680, 1128669, 1128668.