Cottonwood County Emergency Management

05/24/2026

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 11:00 PM Sunday May 24th.

05/19/2026

A frost advisory has been issued for Cottonwood County from 1:00AM-8:00AM Wednesday May 20th. Lows are expected to be in the middle 30s leading to patchy frost. Bring in or cover any sensitive plants.

Cold temperatures in the 30s return to the area late tonight through Wednesday morning, May 20. Take precautions to prevent any damage to outdoor equipment and sensitive vegetation!

05/18/2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Jackson County in southwestern Minnesota...
Southeastern Cottonwood County in southwestern Minnesota...

* Until 800 PM CDT.

* At 744 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Bergen, or 12 miles northeast of Jackson In
Jackson County, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

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 tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northeastern Jackson and southeastern Cottonwood Counties,
including the following locations... Alpha.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid 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.

05/18/2026

Tornado Warning for northern Jackson County and extreme southern Cottonwood County until 7:45pm.

If you're in the Fish Lake or Bergen area seek shelter NOW!

05/17/2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Osceola County in northwestern Iowa...
Dickinson County in northwestern Iowa...
Jackson County in southwestern Minnesota...
Eastern Nobles County in southwestern Minnesota...
Southeastern Murray County in southwestern Minnesota...
Southern Cottonwood County in southwestern Minnesota...

* Until 745 PM CDT.

* At 629 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Fulda to near Round Lake to near Sibley, moving east
at 35 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Public. At 618 PM CDT, quarter sized hail was reported 5
miles southwest of Worthington.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable
tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes,
roofs, and outbuildings.

* Severe thunderstorms will be near...
Ocheyedan, Brewster, Round Lake, and Harris around 635 PM CDT.
Heron Lake around 640 PM CDT.
Lake Park around 645 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of these severe thunderstorms include
Lakefield, Windom, Jackson In Jackson County, Kilen Woods State Park,
Spirit Lake, Bergen, Okoboji, Orleans, Wahpeton, Bingham Lake and
West Okoboji.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
Iowa...and southwestern Minnesota.

05/17/2026

The line of storms is getting closer. If you're currently outside, seek a sturdy shelter. No severe weather warnings yet for the county but I anticipate one coming soon.

**THIS POST CONTAINS OUTDATED INFORMATION.**

Golf ball size hail was reported north of Adrian, MN and a funnel cloud was also reported in this same area.

Move indoors immediately if you are in the path of this storm!

05/17/2026

Tornado Watch issued for Cottonwood County until 10:00pm tonight.

1:40 pm Sunday May 17th, 2026 ||

A Tornado Watch has been issued until 10pm.

05/17/2026

Widespread severe weather is possible in the area today. Our greatest chance will be after supper during the evening hours.

Watches will be coming today, likely within the next few hours. Stay weather aware and know where your severe weather shelter places are wherever you are this evening.

Sunday 11am Update: Here's an adjusted outlook at the severe weather potential for Sunday and Sunday evening.

We continue to see very strong potential for severe weather especially from 4pm through 10pm. These risks include tornadoes, some of which may be strong.

05/15/2026

There are chances of severe weather today, tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday. Current forecasts say the greatest chance of severe weather for our area is Sunday.

Keep an eye on the sky and for additional forecast information in the coming days.

Chances for strong to severe storms return to parts of the area later today and this evening (Friday, 5/15). Severe risks continue across the region through the weekend into early next week. Review your severe weather safety plans now. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings and stay weather aware!

05/05/2026

A Freeze Warning has been issued for Cottonwood County from 1AM to 7AM tomorrow May 6th. Temperatures are expected to fall into the upper 20s overnight tonight.