Storm Prediction Center Tornado Watch 251

Note: 
The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is
replaced, cancelled or extended.
Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.

   SEL1

   URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
   Tornado Watch Number 251
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   1245 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

   The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

   * Tornado Watch for portions of 
     Central Minnesota
     West-Central Wisconsin

   * Effective this Thursday afternoon and evening from 1245 PM
     until 800 PM CDT.

   * Primary threats include...
     A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
     Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3
       inches in diameter likely
     Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely

   SUMMARY...Rapid thunderstorm development is anticipated within a
   narrow warm sector moving into the region. Strong buoyancy and
   robust deep-layer shear will support supercells capable of all
   severe hazards, including very large hail from 2" to 3" in diameter,
   strong gusts, and tornadoes, a few of which could be strong.

   The tornado watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles
   north and south of a line from 15 miles south southwest of
   Alexandria MN to 55 miles east of Eau Claire WI. For a complete
   depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
   (WOUS64 KWNS WOU1).

   PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

   REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
   tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
   area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
   threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
   and possible warnings.

   &&

   AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
   surface and aloft to 3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
   gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
   storm motion vector 20035.

   ...Mosier

   SEL1

   URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
   Tornado Watch Number 251
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   1245 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025

   The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

   * Tornado Watch for portions of 
     Central Minnesota
     West-Central Wisconsin

   * Effective this Thursday afternoon and evening from 1245 PM
     until 800 PM CDT.

   * Primary threats include...
     A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
     Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3
       inches in diameter likely
     Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely

   SUMMARY...Rapid thunderstorm development is anticipated within a
   narrow warm sector moving into the region. Strong buoyancy and
   robust deep-layer shear will support supercells capable of all
   severe hazards, including very large hail from 2" to 3" in diameter,
   strong gusts, and tornadoes, a few of which could be strong.

   The tornado watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles
   north and south of a line from 15 miles south southwest of
   Alexandria MN to 55 miles east of Eau Claire WI. For a complete
   depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
   (WOUS64 KWNS WOU1).

   PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

   REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
   tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
   area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
   threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
   and possible warnings.

   &&

   AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
   surface and aloft to 3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
   gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
   storm motion vector 20035.

   ...Mosier

Note:
The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area.
The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.

   SAW1 
   WW 251 TORNADO MN WI 151745Z - 160100Z
   AXIS..70 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
   15SSW AXN/ALEXANDRIA MN/ - 55E EAU/EAU CLAIRE WI/
   ..AVIATION COORDS.. 60NM N/S /74NNW RWF - 48E EAU/
   HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..3 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
   MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 20035.

   LAT...LON 46689552 45889036 43859036 44669552

   THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA.  FOR A
   COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
   FOR WOU1.

Watch 251 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

Note:
 Click for Complete Product Text.

Tornadoes

Wind

Hail

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch
(listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster.
The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2%
to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities),
“Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%.
High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of
an increased threat for a particular event.