Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, July 30, 1999

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, July 30, 1999
Start: 1999-07-30T13:15
End: 1999-07-30T18:10
Location: Minnesota

July 30, 1999 · NWS MPX · 49 events in 23 counties and zones

23 thunderstorm wind, 17 hail, 6 funnel cloud, 3 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 6 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 49

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 Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 151 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:14 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

23 thunderstorm wind, 17 hail, 6 funnel cloud, 3 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Pope

When: July 30, 1:15 PM CST
Where: Pope County, 1 mi SW of Grovelake
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 45.600, -95.170

Thunderstorm Wind, Pope

When: July 30, 1:15 PM CST
Where: Pope County, 1 mi SW of Grovelake
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 45.600, -95.170

Large branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Morrison

When: July 30, 1:20 PM CST
Where: Morrison County, Elmdale
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.830, -94.480

Hail, Mille Lacs

When: July 30, 1:40 PM CST
Where: Mille Lacs County, 5 mi N of Milaca
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.800, -93.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Morrison

When: July 30, 1:40 PM CST
Where: Morrison County, 3 mi SW of Buckman
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 45.870, -94.150

Numerous trees down. Siding ripped off house. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Stearns

When: July 30, 1:46 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 1 mi E of Holdingford
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.730, -94.450

Hail, Benton

When: July 30, 1:55 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 5 mi NW of Rice
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 45.800, -94.300

Thunderstorm Wind, Yellow Medicine

When: July 30, 1:55 PM CST
Where: Yellow Medicine County, 4 mi N of Canby
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 44.750, -96.270

Numerous 6 inch diameter branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Stearns

When: July 30, 1:56 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 2 mi E of Holdingford
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.730, -94.430

Thunderstorm Wind, Lac Qui Parle

When: July 30, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle County, 13 mi SW of Dawson
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.800, -96.250

Numerous trees down. Corn flattened. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: July 30, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Benton County, Rice
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.750, -94.230

Large branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Mille Lacs

When: July 30, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Mille Lacs County, 6 mi E of Page
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 45.900, -93.530

Thunderstorm Wind, Morrison

When: July 30, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Morrison County, 6 mi E of Royalton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.830, -94.180

Large branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kanabec

When: July 30, 2:20 PM CST
Where: Kanabec County, 9 mi W of Mora
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 45.880, -93.480

Numerous large branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Funnel Cloud, Swift

When: July 30, 2:23 PM CST
Where: Swift County, 1 mi N of Murdock
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 45.283, -95.681 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Stearns

When: July 30, 2:29 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 2 mi NW of St Joseph
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.580, -94.370

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: July 30, 2:45 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 2 mi SW of Rum River
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 45.800, -93.870

Numerous 6 inch diameter branches down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lac Qui Parle

When: July 30, 2:45 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle County, 1 mi NW of Dawson
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.950, -96.080

Few trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Funnel Cloud, Mille Lacs

When: July 30, 2:45 PM CST
Where: Mille Lacs County, 5 mi NW of Onamia
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.938, -93.630 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Swift

When: July 30, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Swift County, Appleton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.200, -96.020

Large branches down partially blocking street. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Stearns

When: July 30, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, Rockville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 45.470, -94.330

Hail, Kanabec

When: July 30, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Kanabec County, 4 mi N of Mora
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.930, -93.300

Funnel Cloud, Swift

When: July 30, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Swift County, Appleton
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.283, -95.681 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Stearns

When: July 30, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, Pleasant Lake
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 45.500, -94.280

Hail, Stearns

When: July 30, 3:02 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, Waite Park
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.550, -94.220

Thunderstorm Wind, Chippewa

When: July 30, 3:05 PM CST
Where: Chippewa County, 12 mi NW of Montevideo
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.070, -95.880

Few trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morrison

When: July 30, 3:05 PM CST
Where: Morrison County, 1 mi W of Pierz
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.980, -94.120

Few trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Funnel Cloud, Meeker

When: July 30, 3:12 PM CST
Where: Meeker County, 6 mi N of Kingston
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.123, -94.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Kanabec

When: July 30, 3:20 PM CST
Where: Kanabec County, Warman to 8 mi ENE of Woodland
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 46.070, -93.120

Roofs partially off outbuildings. Windows blown out. Barn down. Numerous trees down in a five mile wide swath. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Wright

When: July 30, 3:24 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Monticello
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.300, -93.820

Thunderstorm Wind, Kanabec

When: July 30, 3:25 PM CST
Where: Kanabec County, 5 mi N of Quamba
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.980, -93.180

Numerous trees down. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Mille Lacs

When: July 30, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Mille Lacs County, Estes Brook
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 45.650, -93.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Sherburne

When: July 30, 3:41 PM CST
Where: Sherburne County, Elk River
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.300, -93.580

Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rice

When: July 30, 3:46 PM CST
Where: Rice County, Faribault to 5 mi N of Faribault
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 44.370, -93.300

Several semi trucks rolled over on Interstate 35. Roofs torn off, Barn and shed flattened. Silos, trees and power lines down. Tree fell through one house. Downburst was 3 miles long and 1/2 mile wide.

Thunderstorm Wind, Isanti

When: July 30, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Isanti County, 1 mi SW of Cambridge
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.570, -93.250

Tree toppled. Estimated windspeed.

Hail, Renville

When: July 30, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Renville County, 6 mi N of Fairfax
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.620, -94.720

Ground white with hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sibley

When: July 30, 4:55 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, 3 mi N of Henderson
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 44.580, -93.900

Few trees felled. Estimated windspeed.

Funnel Cloud, Sibley

When: July 30, 4:55 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, 6 mi N of Gaylord
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 44.580, -94.232 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Funnel Cloud, Sibley

When: July 30, 5:02 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, 3 mi SE of Gaylord
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 44.580, -94.232 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tornado, Scott

When: July 30, 5:03 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Blakeley
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.2 mi
Path width: 35 yd
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.620, -93.850

Silo tops taken off, some trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sibley

When: July 30, 5:05 PM CST
Where: Sibley County, 8 mi SE of Green Isle
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 44.600, -93.900

Few trees down. Estimated windspeed

Tornado, Scott

When: July 30, 5:09 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Belle Plaine
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.2 mi
Path width: 35 yd
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.630, -93.770

Roofs partially taken off two downtown businesses. Few trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chisago

When: July 30, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Chisago County, Shafer
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 45.380, -92.750

Power poles snapped. Estimated windspeed.

Tornado, Scott

When: July 30, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Lydia
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 44.650, -93.500

Mostly touched down in open field near Hwy 13 and Co. Road 10, though a few trees and power lines were felled.

Hail, Washington

When: July 30, 5:33 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 1 mi W of Stillwater
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 45.070, -92.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: July 30, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Elko
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.570, -93.320

Few trees and power lines down. Estimated windspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dakota

When: July 30, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Dakota County, Apple Vly
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 47.880, -91.880

Measured windspeed.

Hail, Freeborn

When: July 30, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Freeborn County, 1 mi SW of Conger
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 43.600, -93.550

Thunderstorm Wind, Goodhue

When: July 30, 6:10 PM CST
Where: Goodhue County, 5 mi SE of Cannon Falls
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 44.470, -92.830

Numerous 8 inch diameter branches down. Estimated windspeed.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
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 1999 Every state in 1999 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 1999 Warnings in Minnesota, July 1999

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: 5715752, 5715753, 5715754, 5715755, 5715836, 5715756, 5715757, 5715758, 5715759, 5715760, 5715761, 5715762, 5715763, 5715764, 5715830, 5715526, 5715527, 5715528, 5715831, 5715529, 5715530, 5715531, 5715832, 5715532, 5715533, 5715534, 5715535, 5715833, 5715536, 5715537, 5715538, 5715539, 5715540, 5715541, 5715542, 5715543, 5715544, 5715834, 5715835, 5715546, and more.