Damaging Winds in Minnesota, May 17, 2024

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
733 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible this
  evening. Damaging wind gusts to 60 mph are the main concern.

- There is a 70 percent chance for wind gusts greater than 40
  mph Saturday afternoon in eastern North Dakota.

&&

.MESOSCALE...
Issued at 731 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

Mesoanalysis showing the 850 mb front located with the initial
band of thunderstorms from Langdon back to Jamestown to south of
Bismarck. So far only weak 850 mb winds from the south 20-25
kts into the RRV and MUCAPE is weakening to under 1000 j/kg with
surface inversion forming. All in all with main 500 mb system
well to our northwest unsure how long severe storm potential
will be. Outlfow from storms on radar is outrunning the
reflectivity areas, so a sign for moderate wind gusts 40-48 mph
but a sign of a lowering risk of severe wind gusts.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 714 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

Had a report of 58/59 mph from Devils Lake and Pekin. No hail
has been reported yet from this line of storms near Larimore.
Environment still looks like it will still be able to support
hail growth maybe up to 1 inch instead of 1.5.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 336 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

A cold front is going to move through the region this
evening. Estimated timing looks to be around 00z for the Devils lake
Basin and maybe around 04z for the valley. With scattered to clear
skies across the region will allow for optimal heating to help erode
away our capped environment. HREF is painting a swath of effective
bulk shear between 25 to 35 kts which is normally a little weak but
may provide enough shear to sustain any storm development. Given the
high LCL and LFC's generally between 1-3km would allow most of our
available CAPE to be utilized in the Hail growth zone resulting in
at least 1 inch hail however there are a few analogs that have
resulted in higher hail size but im just not confident the
environment would sustain anything higher than ping pongs at the
largest. The hodographs are fairly straight supporting the idea that
today is going to be a more hail and wind threat kind of day and not
a tornado type of day. A minor concern or really something to
monitor is some ponding to some minor flooding given the potential
for some training storms and our already saturated ground moisture
especially in the valley.

As far as the gusty wind potential on Saturday, there are some pros
and cons. For the pros, seeing a pretty unidirectional flow from the
surface up to 850mb. Cons are that the winds at 850mb are not all
that strong. Seeing something like 30 to 35 knots across the
northern half of the FA and 25 to 30 knots across the southern half.
The strongest cold advection comes late tonight into early Saturday
morning, when the mixing is not the best. For the late morning and
afternoon time frame, warm advection begins again. Westerly winds
are not the best direction for maximizing gusts. So the thought at
this point would be near advisory criteria wind speeds across the
northern half of the FA, and slightly lower to the south. May mix in
some slightly lower CONSSHORT winds with the slightly higher NBM
winds to capture this.

As far as precipitation chances, there may still be some ongoing
convection Saturday morning. There is a secondary 700mb short wave
that rotates through the FA around the parent low that holds over
central Saskatchewan. CAMs are showing another potential line of
showers/weaker storms following the same track as the ones for
tonight (mainly north of I94 in North Dakota and mainly north of
highway 2 in Minnesota). This would be mainly for the morning hours,
with drying working west to east through the day with the increasing
west winds. The remainder of the long term continues to feature
cooler temperatures and periodic chances for more rain. The flow
remains zonal, with the main differences being the strength and
timing of additional waves. Some ensembles show a closed 500mb low
possibly holding over the FA Tuesday into Wednesday (which would
result in a wetter solution), while others are more progressive
(less wet). These details will come into better focus closer over
the next few days.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 731 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

VFR conditions out ahead of the area of showers and t-storms
and even when the t-storms move in cloud bases remain in the mid
level range. Gusty west winds come into E ND and NW MN Saturday
with gusts 23-33 kts.

&&

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

&&

MESOSCALE...Riddle
UPDATE...MM
DISCUSSION...Godon/MM
AVIATION...Riddle

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
329 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-
026>030-038-039-049-052>054-182030-
West Polk-Norman-Clay-Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-
West Marshall-East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake-
East Polk-North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen-
South Clearwater-Hubbard-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin-
West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-Towner-Cavalier-
Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh-Eddy-Nelson-Grand Forks-
Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland-
Western Walsh-
329 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are expected across
the region this evening. The main hazards will be wind gust up to
70 mph and hail sized between 1 to 1.5 inches.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

Gusty winds are anticipated on Saturday. There is a 70 percent
chance for winds to gust greater than 40 mph Saturday afternoon
and early evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
716 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

NDZ026-028-029-038-180045-
Griggs ND-Nelson ND-Steele ND-Barnes ND-
716 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN NELSON...GRIGGS...
NORTHERN BARNES AND WESTERN STEELE COUNTIES THROUGH 745 PM CDT...

At 716 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Walum, or 26 miles northwest of Valley City, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Valley City, Cooperstown, Finley, Hope, Aneta, Sanborn, and Binford.

This includes Interstate 94 in North Dakota between mile markers 272
and 306.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
southeastern and northeastern North Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4773 9848 4771 9788 4767 9788 4767 9773
      4690 9770 4689 9843
TIME...MOT...LOC 0016Z 266DEG 33KT 4725 9831

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
733 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

NDZ027-029-030-180100-
Steele ND-Traill ND-Grand Forks ND-
733 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT GRAND FORKS...NORTHWESTERN TRAILL
AND NORTHERN STEELE COUNTIES THROUGH 800 PM CDT...

At 733 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Orr to near Kempton to near Finley. Movement
was east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, Grand Forks AFB, Larimore, Thompson,
Northwood, and Hatton.

This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 134 and 160.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
northwestern Minnesota...and southeastern and northeastern North
Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4819 9715 4817 9715 4815 9713 4814 9715
      4814 9713 4807 9710 4804 9707 4802 9707
      4798 9705 4796 9706 4791 9702 4763 9720
      4750 9792 4783 9777 4814 9779
TIME...MOT...LOC 0033Z 257DEG 34KT 4811 9766 4786 9760 4756 9777

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
759 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

MNZ001-007-NDZ016-027-030-180145-
West Polk MN-West Marshall MN-Traill ND-Eastern Walsh County ND-
Grand Forks ND-
759 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN POLK...EASTERN GRAND
FORKS AND NORTHWESTERN TRAILL COUNTIES THROUGH 845 PM CDT...

At 759 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Forest River to 7 miles northwest of Holmes to
near Golden Lake. Movement was east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, Grand Forks AFB, Thompson, Hatton,
Emerado, and Alvarado.

This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 112 and 165.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
northwestern Minnesota...and southeastern and northeastern North
Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4782 9688 4750 9706 4752 9747 4767 9747
      4767 9752 4781 9744 4824 9749 4828 9697
TIME...MOT...LOC 0059Z 269DEG 33KT 4821 9744 4781 9738 4755 9752

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
837 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

MNZ001-002-007-008-013>015-NDZ027-030-180215-
East Marshall MN-Red Lake MN-Pennington MN-West Polk MN-Norman MN-
West Marshall MN-East Polk MN-Traill ND-Grand Forks ND-
837 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN MARSHALL...WESTERN
RED LAKE...NORTHERN NORMAN...POLK...WESTERN PENNINGTON...EASTERN
GRAND FORKS AND NORTHEASTERN TRAILL COUNTIES THROUGH 915 PM CDT...

At 837 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Alvarado to near Bygland to 6 miles
southwest of Cummings. Movement was east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Grand Forks, Thief River Falls, East Grand Forks, Crookston, Warren,
Red Lake Falls, and Thompson.

This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 108 and 148.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
northwestern Minnesota...and southeastern and northeastern North
Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4828 9609 4744 9621 4746 9723 4828 9708
TIME...MOT...LOC 0137Z 269DEG 33KT 4823 9698 4779 9688 4746 9719

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
854 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

MNZ004-005-180230-
Kittson MN-Roseau MN-
854 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN KITTSON AND WEST
CENTRAL ROSEAU COUNTIES THROUGH 930 PM CDT...

At 854 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lancaster, or 42 miles northeast of Grafton, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Lancaster and Lake Bronson.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
northwestern Minnesota.

&&

LAT...LON 4873 9683 4891 9683 4895 9628 4868 9628
TIME...MOT...LOC 0154Z 269DEG 33KT 4882 9672

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
926 PM CDT Fri May 17 2024

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

0741 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     7 W Grand Forks         47.92N 97.22W
05/17/2024  M63 MPH          Grand Forks        ND   Public

            Measured by personal weather station.
            Messaged owner and he said good accuracy
            over the past few years.

&&