Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, July 13, 1997

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, July 13, 1997
Start: 1997-07-13T15:50
End: 1997-07-13T20:50
Location: Minnesota

July 13, 1997 · NWS MPX · 50 events in 19 counties and zones

31 thunderstorm wind, 16 hail, 2 tornado, 1 lightning, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $340,000
Crop damage: $5.2 million
Events: 50

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 159 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:50 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

31 thunderstorm wind, 16 hail, 2 tornado, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Yellow Medicine

When: July 13, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Yellow Medicine County, 8 mi W of Granite Falls
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.820, -95.720

Trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chippewa

When: July 13, 3:55 PM CST
Where: Chippewa County, Montevideo
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.950, -95.720

Power lines down.

Hail, Yellow Medicine

When: July 13, 4:17 PM CST
Where: Yellow Medicine County, 3 mi SW of Hanley Falls
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.670, -95.680

Hail, Redwood

When: July 13, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Redwood County, Lamberton to 2 mi S of Lamberton
Measured: 4 in hail
Property damage: $200,000
Crop damage: $1.2 million
Coordinates: 44.220, -95.300

Damage estimate for Lamberton and Morgan areas. Grapefruit size hail did considerable damage to crops in Lamberton area. Hail also stripped trees of leaves, broke off tree limbs, shattered windows and put holes in siding.

Hail, Brown

When: July 13, 4:55 PM CST
Where: Brown County, 2 mi NW of Evan
Measured: 3 in hail
Coordinates: 44.370, -94.850

Severe crop damage.

Hail, Redwood

When: July 13, 5:02 PM CST
Where: Redwood County, Morgan to 1 mi E of Morgan
Measured: 3 in hail
Coordinates: 44.420, -94.900

Extensive crop damage. Shattered windows in barn.

Thunderstorm Wind, Redwood

When: July 13, 5:03 PM CST
Where: Redwood County, Lamberton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 44.230, -95.270

Several trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Brown

When: July 13, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Brown County, Springfield
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.250, -94.970

Hail, Brown

When: July 13, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Brown County, New Ulm
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.320, -94.470

Hail, Kandiyohi

When: July 13, 5:22 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 2 mi N of Blomkest
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 44.980, -95.030

Thunderstorm Wind, Kandiyohi

When: July 13, 5:22 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 2 mi N of Blomkest
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.980, -95.030

Hail, Kandiyohi

When: July 13, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 1 mi S of Svea
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Crop damage: $4.0 million
Coordinates: 45.000, -95.030

Hail accompanied by strong winds resulted in severe hail damage. Damage estimate for approximately 30,000 acres of crops lost to hail and wind damage between Roseland, Blomkest, Svea and Big Kandiyohi Lake.

Lightning, Brown

When: July 13, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Brown County, 4 mi E of Springfield
Property damage: $40,000
Coordinates: 44.242, -94.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lightning strike destroyed a storage shed.

Hail, Kandiyohi

When: July 13, 5:34 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, Blomkest
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.950, -95.030

Hail, Meeker

When: July 13, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 1 mi SE of Cosmos
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.920, -94.680

Hail, Kandiyohi

When: July 13, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, Lake Lillian
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.950, -94.880

Hail, Nicollet

When: July 13, 6:01 PM CST
Where: Nicollet County, Klossner
Measured: 4 in hail
Coordinates: 44.370, -94.430

Crop damage.

Tornado, Sibley

When: July 13, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, 6 mi SE of Green Isle
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Coordinates: 44.620, -93.930

Trees knocked over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sibley

When: July 13, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, 1 mi SW of Winthrop
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.550, -94.370

Large trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sibley

When: July 13, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, 4 mi E of Winthrop
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 44.550, -94.280

Roof damage to chicken barn. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nicollet

When: July 13, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Nicollet County, Norseland
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.420, -94.120

Large tree blown down across Highway 22. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sibley

When: July 13, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, Green Isle
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 44.680, -94.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: July 13, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 6 mi SW of Belle Plaine
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.580, -93.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: July 13, 6:52 PM CST
Where: Carver County, 6 mi E of Assumption
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 44.680, -93.770

Top sheared off 65 foot silo. Barn damage. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: July 13, 6:52 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Belle Plaine
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.630, -93.770

Trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sibley

When: July 13, 6:53 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, 3 mi N of Henderson
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.570, -93.900

Large tree sheared in half. Estimated windspeed.

Tornado, Faribault

When: July 13, 6:55 PM CST to 7:06 PM CST
Where: Faribault County, Blue Earth to 6 mi SE of Delavan
Rating: F0
Path length: 4 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 43.700, -94.020

2 farmsteads damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: July 13, 6:56 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Jordan
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.670, -93.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: July 13, 6:58 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Young America
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.780, -93.900

Shingles torn off roofs. Trees down. Similar damage in Norwood and Hamburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: July 13, 6:58 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 6 mi SW of Belle Plaine
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 44.580, -93.850

Trees blown down. Tree damaged extended to Blakeley. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: July 13, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Carver County, 2 mi S of Gotha
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 44.680, -93.780

Garage and barn blown down. Garage roof blown 80 yards. Several large trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: July 13, 7:05 PM CST
Where: Carver County, 3 mi SW of Carver
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.730, -93.670

Several trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: July 13, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Carver County, 1 mi N of East Union
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 44.730, -93.680

Machine shed and pole barn destroyed. 2 by 6 piece of lumber embedded in building exterior. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: July 13, 7:12 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Chaska
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 44.780, -93.600

Power lines and trees blown down.

Hail, Carver

When: July 13, 7:12 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Chaska
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.780, -93.600

Damage to vehicles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carver

When: July 13, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Carver County, Chanhassen
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 44.870, -93.530

Tree blown onto house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: July 13, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Shakopee
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 44.800, -93.520

Large trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Scott

When: July 13, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Shakopee
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.800, -93.520

Hail, Scott

When: July 13, 7:18 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Savage
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 44.780, -93.330

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: July 13, 7:18 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Savage
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 44.780, -93.330

Thunderstorm Wind, Hennepin

When: July 13, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Hennepin County, Eden Prairie
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 44.850, -93.480

Trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When: July 13, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, Columbia Heights
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.030, -93.270

Trees and power lines blown down. Localized street flooding. Similar damages in neighboring Fridley.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dakota

When: July 13, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Dakota County, Apple Vly
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 44.730, -93.220

Sliding glass door blown in. Two large trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Steele

When: July 13, 7:31 PM CST
Where: Steele County, 9 mi W of Owatonna
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph)
Coordinates: 44.080, -93.400

Large trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anoka

When: July 13, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Anoka County, St Francis
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 45.400, -93.370

Large trees blown down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Freeborn

When: July 13, 7:43 PM CST
Where: Freeborn County, Albert Lea
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 43.650, -93.380

Large tree branches also blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: July 13, 7:51 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Woodbury
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 44.900, -92.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Goodhue

When: July 13, 8:25 PM CST
Where: Goodhue County, 2 mi NW of Red Wing
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 44.580, -92.570

Several trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chisago

When: July 13, 8:35 PM CST
Where: Chisago County, 5 mi N of North Branch
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.580, -92.980

Several trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chisago

When: July 13, 8:50 PM CST
Where: Chisago County, 5 mi E of North Branch
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 45.520, -92.880

Large tree limbs down. Estimated windspeed.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Minnesota in 1997 Every state in 1997 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 1997 Warnings in Minnesota, July 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5614922, 5614923, 5614924, 5614925, 5614936, 5614926, 5615433, 5615434, 5615519, 5615520, 5615521, 5615003, 5615546, 5615522, 5615548, 5615523, 5615524, 5615004, 5614930, 5614932, 5615545, 5615526, 5615525, 5614933, 5615527, 5614931, 5615530, 5615528, 5614929, 5615529, 5615531, 5615532, 5614934, 5614927, 5615533, 5614928, 5614935, 5615534, 5615535, 5615536, and more.