Tornado and Flash Flooding in Minnesota, July 2, 2003

Name: Tornado and Flash Flooding in Minnesota, July 2, 2003
Start: 2003-07-02T12:10
End: 2003-07-02T23:30
Location: Minnesota

July 2, 2003 · NWS FGF · 38 events in 14 counties and zones

18 thunderstorm wind, 17 hail, 2 flash flood, 1 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 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: $5,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 38

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.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Grand Forks, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 2, 8:30 AM CST, 3 hours 40 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 2, 8:30 AM CST, 3 hours 40 minutes before

FORECAST DISCUSSION FOR EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
930 AM CDT WED JUL 2 2003

...FORECAST CHALLENGE FOR UPDATE CONCERNS CONVECTIVE THREAT.

STRONG CONVECTION WHICH DEVELOPED OVER WESTERN DAKOTAS CONTINUES TO
PROPAGATE EAST/NORTHEAST WITH NORTHERN CLUSTER BECOMING TO TRACK
MORE EAST AS IT CRESTS RIDGE. CONVECTION RIDING ALONG LOW LEVEL
BOUNDARY WITH 70 DEWPOINTS POOLING ALONG BOUNDARY. AM ALSO SEEING
DEVELOPMENT CLOUD TOPS CONTINUE TO COOL FROM IR IMAGERY. MAIN
ADJUSTMENTS TO UPDATE WILL BE TIMING WITH CONVECTION BASED ON
CURRENT TRENDS. TEMPERATURES SEEM IN REASON AS TEMPERATURES ALREADY
APPROACHING 80. CONVECTION MAY HOLD SOME TEMPERATURES DOWN HOWEVER
ANY BREAKS WILL ALLOW AREA TO QUICKLY HEAT OUT.

.FGF...NONE.

VOELKER

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 2, 5:35 AM CST, 6 hours 35 minutes before

MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-
026>030-038-039-049-052>054-021415-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS
635 AM CDT WED JUL 2 2003

...THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK
   ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA FOR LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA...WEST
CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT
THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE
REGION TODAY. THE MAIN THREAT FROM THESE STORMS WILL BE DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND VERY HEAVY RAINS. DUE TO THE EXTREME
INSTABILITY IN PLACE OVER THE REGION ISOLATED TORNADOES AND
SIGNIFICANT STRAIGHT LINE WIND DAMAGE (LARGE BOW ECHO) CANNOT
BE RULED OUT. EXPECT RAPID SEVERE THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT TO
OCCUR ALONG A DEVILS LAKE TO VALLEY CITY LINE BY MID TO LATE
AFTERNOON AND THEN WORK EAST ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF EASTERN
NORTH DAKOTA AND WEST CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA THIS
EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND NORTHWEST
MINNESOTA THURSDAY MORNING. ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORM CHANCES LOOM ON
TO CLOSE OUT THE JULY FOURTH WEEKEND ON SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL BE NEEDED LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

BERG

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 2, 11:21 AM CST, 49 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
1221 PM CDT WED JUL 2 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1155 AM    4 W TOLNA                 ND   .75 INCH HAIL
07/02/03   NELSON

DPORTER

Local storm report, Jul 2, 11:25 AM CST, 45 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
1225 PM CDT WED JUL 2 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1220 AM    LANGDON                   ND   E60 MPH WIND GUST
07/02/03   CAVALIER                       ESTIMATED 60 MPH WINDS.
                                          POWER OUTAGES REPORTED.

DPORTER

Local storm report, Jul 2, 11:41 AM CST, 29 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
1241 PM CDT WED JUL 2 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1135 AM    8 W LAWTON                ND   71 MPH WIND GUST
07/02/03   RAMSEY                         REPORTED BY TRAINED
                                          SPOTTER.

DPORTER

Local storm report, Jul 2, 11:43 AM CST, 27 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
1243 PM CDT WED JUL 2 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1240 AM    EDINBURG                  ND   WIND DAMAGE
07/02/03   WALSH                          LARGE FULL GROWN TREES
                                          BLOWN DOWN. REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT.

DPORTER

Local storm report, Jul 2, 11:45 AM CST, 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
1245 PM CDT WED JUL 2 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1240 PM    EDINBURG                  ND   WIND DAMAGE
07/02/03   WALSH                          LARGE FULL GROWN TREES
                                          BLOWN DOWN. REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT.

DPORTER

Local storm report, Jul 2, 11:48 AM CST, 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS, ND
1248 PM CDT WED JUL 2 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1225 PM    8 SW MILTON               ND   WIND DAMAGE
07/02/03   CAVALIER                       LARGE TREES BLOWN DOWN.
                                          REPORTED BY PUBLIC.

DPORTER

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 210 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:09 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

18 thunderstorm wind, 17 hail, 2 flash flood, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kittson

When: July 2, 12:10 PM CST
Where: Kittson County, Donaldson
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 46.417, -95.083

A MN DOT RWIS site reported a 61 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: July 2, 12:10 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 15 mi N of East Grand Forks
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.774, -96.402 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: July 2, 12:10 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, 5 mi N of Stephen
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.358, -96.368 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A water truck was rocked back and forth.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kittson

When: July 2, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Kittson County, Hallock
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.583, -95.267

6 inch diameter trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kittson

When: July 2, 12:28 PM CST
Where: Kittson County, St Vincent
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 46.400, -95.017

A MN DOT RWIS site reported a 61 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kittson

When: July 2, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Kittson County, 8 mi E of Halma
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.400, -95.033

Large tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Roseau

When: July 2, 1:05 PM CST
Where: Roseau County, Badger
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.583, -96.900

A few shingles were blown off roofs. A MN DOT RWIS sensor near Badger reported a wind gust to 52 mph near the time of this event.

Hail, Norman

When: July 2, 1:25 PM CST
Where: Norman County, 4 mi NE of Halstad
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.150, -97.017

Thunderstorm Wind, Red Lake

When: July 2, 1:50 PM CST
Where: Red Lake County, 3 mi S of Brooks
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.517, -96.867

Several 5 inch diameter tree branches were broken off by the wind. A MN DOT RWIS site in the area reported a 50 mph wind gust near the time of this event.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: July 2, 1:50 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 6 mi N of Erskine
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.783, -96.933

Several 5 inch diameter tree branches were snapped off by the strong wind. A MN DOT RWIS site nearby reported a wind gust to 50 mph near the time of this event.

Hail, Clearwater

When: July 2, 2:19 PM CST
Where: Clearwater County, Bagley
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 48.967, -97.217

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearwater

When: July 2, 2:25 PM CST
Where: Clearwater County, 3 mi N of Shevlin
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 46.017, -95.950

Several trees were blown down and a trampoline was blown across a yard. The area was without power for 4 hours.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: July 2, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Beltrami County, Bemidji Arpt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 48.667, -96.433

The AWOS at the Bemidji airport reported a 58 mph wind gust.

Hail, Beltrami

When: July 2, 2:45 PM CST
Where: Beltrami County, Bemidji
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 48.783, -96.017

Tornado, Beltrami

When: July 2, 2:50 PM CST
Where: Beltrami County, 1 mi N of Redby
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.383, -96.767

A brief waterspout was reported over Lower Red Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hubbard

When: July 2, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Hubbard County, 4 mi NW of Nary
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.767, -96.000

Small 6 inch diameter trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: July 2, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Beltrami County, Kelliher
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 47.750, -96.017

Roofing material was blown off the Kelliher Cafe. Several large trees were also blown down.

Hail, Becker

When: July 2, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Becker County, 16 mi NE of Ogema
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.517, -95.400

Hail, Becker

When: July 2, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Becker County, 5 mi SE of Detroit Lakes
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.517, -94.933

Hail, Becker

When: July 2, 4:44 PM CST
Where: Becker County, 3 mi NW of Two Inlets
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.483, -94.900

Hail, Hubbard

When: July 2, 4:54 PM CST
Where: Hubbard County, 13 mi N of Park Rapids
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.883, -94.900

Hail, Wilkin

When: July 2, 6:41 PM CST
Where: Wilkin County, 2 mi SE of Nashua
Measured: 4.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 47.400, -94.900

Hail, Grant

When: July 2, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 8 mi W of Wendell
Measured: 3.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.933, -94.450

Hail, Wadena

When: July 2, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Wadena County, 2 mi NE of Nimrod
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.267, -95.717

Hail, Grant

When: July 2, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 5 mi SW of Wendell
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.767, -95.767

Hail, Grant

When: July 2, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Grant County, Wendell
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.083, -95.267

Hail, Wadena

When: July 2, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Wadena County, 6 mi SE of Sebeka
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 47.100, -95.067

Thunderstorm Wind, Wadena

When: July 2, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Wadena County, 6 mi SE of Sebeka
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.017, -96.300

Hail, Otter Tail

When: July 2, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, New York Mills
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.033, -96.267

Hail, Wadena

When: July 2, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Wadena County, Sebeka
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 46.650, -94.833

Hail, Grant

When: July 2, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 2 mi NE of Elbow Lake
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 45.983, -96.167

Hail, Otter Tail

When: July 2, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, Perham
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.033, -96.100

Thunderstorm Wind, Wadena

When: July 2, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Wadena County, 1 mi N of Staples
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 46.567, -95.017

Large tree branches were snapped off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wadena

When: July 2, 8:38 PM CST
Where: Wadena County, 3 mi SE of Wadena
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 46.567, -95.017

Large trees were also uprooted and many large branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wadena

When: July 2, 8:38 PM CST
Where: Wadena County, Verndale
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 46.600, -95.567

A MN DOT RWIS site along U.S. Highway 10 measured the wind gust. Tree damage was also reported at the town cemetery and several trees fell on homes in town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wadena

When: July 2, 8:38 PM CST
Where: Wadena County, 1 mi W of Verndale
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 46.367, -94.783

The roof was torn off a turkey barn and thrown across U.S. Highway 10.

Flash Flood, Wadena

When: July 2, 9:00 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Wadena County, Wadena
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 46.517, -95.383

Main street was flooded with water up to 18 inches deep. Several businesses were threatened and they required sandbags at their front doors to keep the water out.

Flash Flood, Otter Tail

When: July 2, 9:30 PM CST to 11:30 PM CST
Where: Otter Tail County, 3 mi NW of New York Mills
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 46.633, -95.100

Flooding ditches caused some basement flooding.

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.
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.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Minnesota in 2003 Every state in 2003 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 2003 Warnings in Minnesota, July 2003

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: 5377965, 5377966, 5377967, 5377968, 5377969, 5377970, 5377365, 5377366, 5377367, 5377368, 5377369, 5377727, 5377370, 5377371, 5377372, 5377373, 5377374, 5377375, 5377376, 5377377, 5377378, 5377379, 5377380, 5377381, 5377382, 5377383, 5377384, 5377385, 5377386, 5377387, 5377388, 5377389, 5377390, 5377475, 5377728, 5377729, 5377725, 5377726.