Severe Thunderstorms and Excessive Rainfall in the Central U.S.; Heat Building in the Western U.S.

A cold front pressing east across the central U.S. will be the focus for areas of strong to severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall through this weekend. Strong to severe thunderstorms my bring damaging winds, hail, and a few tornadoes while excessive rainfall may lead to areas of flooding. Heat will build across the western U.S. with heat-related watches, warnings, and advisories issued. Read More >

Overview

Warm air advection and convergence associated with low pressure over eastern Colorado led to severe thunderstorms that produced tornadoes in central Minnesota. Of the 15 tornadoes reported, an F2 was the strongest and caused the most damage in Buffalo Lake. Two inch hail was reported in Rock County and 1.75 inch hail was reported in Pope, Lyon, and Renville Counties. Also, the Minneapolis International Airport recorded wind gusts of 58 miles per hour.

Tornado
Radar
Storm Reports
Environment

Tornadoes:

Lincoln, Yellow Medicine, Chippewa, Renville, Sibley, Meeker, Kandiyohi, and Pope Counties

Date

24 June 2003

Summary:

There were 14 tornadoes reported in the Twin Cities/Chanhassen NWS County Warning Area and one tornado outside of this region. Each tornado was preceded by a tornado warning with an average lead time of 19 minutes. The strongest tornado was an F2, which directly hit the town of Buffalo Lake. This tornado damaged trees, powerlines, house roofs, and a church roof. However, there were no fatalities and only 5 minor injuries.

Track Map

In 2003, the Fujita (F) Scale was used to classify tornadoes into the following categories:

F0 Weak <73 mph	F1 Moderate 73-112 mph	F2 Significant 113-157 mph	F3 Severe 158-206 mph	F4 Extreme 207-260 mph	F5 Catastrophic 261-318 mph

Radar:


0.5, 1.5, and 2.4 degree tilts of storm relative motion and 0.5 degree reflectivity at 6:29 PM	0.5 degree reflectivity and 1.5, 2.4, and 3.4 degree tilts of storm relative motion at 7:28 PM	Composite reflectivity (left) and 0.5 degree storm relative velocity (right) at 7:44 PM

Storm Reports

Environment

A quasi-stationary frontal boundary extending from central Minnesota to northwest Kansas caused warm air advection and low-level convergence. Moist, buoyant air along with high values of low-level wind shear and CAPE, and low Lifted Condensation Levels (LCLs) created a favorable environment for severe storms and tornadoes.


National Weather Forecast Chart	Surface frontal boundary and METARs	LAPS LCLs


LAPS 0-6 km wind shear	Surface CAPE showing high risk area	7 PM 500 mb analysis

7 PM 250 mb analysis

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Severe Thunderstorms and Excessive Rainfall in the Central U.S.; Heat Building in the Western U.S.

Summary of June 24, 2003 Central Minnesota Tornado Outbreak