Tornado warning issued for Clay County

Areas west and south of Spencer had a brief, but rocky, patch of severe weather Wednesday night.

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, S.D. issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northwestern Clay County, southern Dickinson County and eastern Osceola County at 5:15 p.m. Meteorologists were concerned about quarter-size hail with the system. The cell was located near Ocheyedan when the warning was issued.

Golf ball-sized hail was reported one mile north of May City in southeast Osceola County as the storm made its way south and east.

A tornado warning was issued for the area eight minutes later, with specific cautions for the cities of Hartley, Everly and Moneta. The warning was originally set to expire at 6:15 p.m., but was extended until 6:45 p.m. for the region. The cities of Royal and Sutherland were included in the update.

At 6:32 p.m., the National Weather Service replaced the tornado warning with a severe thunderstorm warning as the cell passed near Rossie. Residents in the cities of Linn Grove, Sioux Rapids and Rembrandt were instructed to take cover and be on the lookout for walnut-sized hail.

Ping pong-sized hail was observed by Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow in the areas of Everly and Royal. He tracked the storm cell to near Peterson, but was ready to return to Spencer at 6:50 p.m.

Reports of tornado damage weren't immediately apparent and the sheriff was not aware of any funnel touchdowns.

"I haven't talked to anybody who has seen one," he said.