NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MNTO.W 0011May 17, 2026
Tornado Warning: Martin and Watonwan, MN
The National Weather Service office in Twin Cities/Chanhassen issued a tornado warning for Martin and Watonwan in Minnesota, which was in force until 8:30 p.m. local time on May 17. It was the 11th tornado warning the NWS office in Twin Cities/Chanhassen issued in 2026. Minnesota had 12 tornado warnings in May 2026, against 13 in an average May of 2008-2025 (Minnesota's tornado warnings by year).
ExpiredWarning
In force for 50 minutes; it has expired. The agency may have replaced it with a new notice.
The notice
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
- Area
- Martin and Watonwan
- State
- Minnesota
- Level
- Warning
- Issued
- 7:40 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2026
- Expires
- 8:30 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2026
- CAP severity, certainty, urgency
- Extreme, Observed, Immediate
- VTEC event
- KMPX TO.W 0011
- Official source
- National Weather Service: the notice at its source
Tornado Warnings in Minnesota since 2008Every warning type in Minnesota
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. AreaZine rebuilds this page from the agency's record; the agency's page is the one to act on. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.
The notice as issued
TORMPX The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a * Tornado Warning for... Northwestern Martin County in south central Minnesota... Southwestern Watonwan County in south central Minnesota... * Until 830 PM CDT. * At 740 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 10 miles west of Trimont, or 24 miles west of Fairmont, moving northeast at 25 mph. HAZARD...Tornado. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. * This tornado will be near... St. James around 825 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by the tornado include Odin, Ormsby and Echols.
What the agency told people to do
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. The text is the agency's, unedited. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.