Tornado and Hail in Minnesota, August 13, 2010

Name: Tornado and Hail in Minnesota, August 13, 2010
Start: 2010-08-13T13:25
End: 2010-08-13T16:37
Location: Minnesota

August 13, 2010 · NWS MPX · 15 events in 9 counties and zones

A line of severe thunderstorms developed east of Alexandria, Minnesota, and quickly moved east-northeast across central Minnesota and produced measured winds in excess of 80 mph at times. Several thousand trees were either uprooted or blown down from eastern Stearns County, eastward across western Benton, and southern Morrison County.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 1
Property damage: $370,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 15

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 happened

The episode as NWS MPX wrote it up.

A line of severe thunderstorms developed east of Alexandria, Minnesota, and quickly moved east-northeast across central Minnesota and produced measured winds in excess of 80 mph at times.

Several thousand trees were either uprooted or blown down from eastern Stearns County, eastward across western Benton, and southern Morrison County. There was a semi blown over near Rice, a large communication tower blown down, and several sheds and barns damaged or destroyed.

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 Twin Cities, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 13, 12:33 PM CST, 52 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 13, 12:33 PM CST, 52 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
133 PM CDT FRI AUG 13 2010

.DISCUSSION...
ANOTHER BUSY DAY ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA... TRYING TO TIDY UP
FROM THE ACTIVE WEATHER OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS WHILE PREPARING
SOME MORE POTENTIAL ACTIVITY OVER THE UPCOMING 12 HOURS. LATEST
WATER VAPOR IMAGERY AND RUC UPPER AIR ANALYSIS SHOWING THE MAIN
UPPER TROUGH AND ASSOCIATED PV ANOMALY MOVING THROUGH THE EASTERN
DAKOTAS AT THE CURRENT TIME... WITH A LEADING PV FILAMENT
CURRENTLY EXTENDING NORTHEAST FROM SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA TOWARD
THE MINNESOTA ARROWHEAD. THE MAIN PV FEATURE/SHORTWAVE APPROACHING
THE WESTERN MINNESOTA BORDER LOOKS TO BE THE IMPETUS TO PUSH THE
SURFACE TROUGH/COOL FRONT THROUGH THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING... AND IT SHOULD HELP GET MORE WIDESPREAD AND ORGANIZED
CONVECTION GOING AS IT MOVES INTO THE AREA OVER THE NEXT FEW
HOURS. UNTIL THEN... SCATTERED MAINLY ELEVATED CONVECTION LOOKS TO
PERSIST OVER THE AREA AS WEAK WARM ADVECTION HELPS TO SPARK A FEW
STORMS. EXPECT CONVECTION TO DEVELOP/ORGANIZE ALONG A NORTH-SOUTH
ORIENTATION OVER CENTRAL INTO SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA BY MID
AFTERNOON... THEN TRANSITION EAST NORTHEASTWARD THROUGH THE
EVENING HOURS. HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WINDS LOOK TO BE THE PRIMARY
THREATS... ALTHOUGH AN ISOLATED TORNADO IS STILL A POSSIBILITY...
MAINLY OVER SOUTH CENTRAL INTO PART OF EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA
WHERE SURFACE BASED CIN MAY BE MINIMIZED. AT THE CURRENT TIME...
0-1KM SHEAR IS MINIMAL OVER MOST OF THE AREA... BUT IT MAY BECOME
ENHANCED A BIT AS THE UPPER WAVE APPROACHES. WITH FREEZING LEVELS
REMAINING HIGH... VERY LARGE HAIL DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A
SIGNIFICANT THREAT... EXCEPT PERHAPS WITH ANY ROTATING STORMS
WHICH MANAGE TO FORM. HEAVY RAIN WILL CERTAINLY BE A POTENTIAL
ISSUE... SINCE MANY AREAS OF EAST CENTRAL AND SOUTH CENTRAL
MINNESOTA AS WELL AS WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN HAVE SEEN 2 TO 5
INCHES OF RAIN OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS. ANY ADDITIONAL RAINFALL
OVER PREVIOUSLY HARD HIT AREAS WILL EXACERBATE ANY LINGERING
FLOODING AND/OR QUICKLY LEAD TO NEW FLOODING.

FOR THE SHORT TERM THROUGH TONIGHT... FORECAST IS PRIMARILY BASED
ON A BLEND OF EXTRAPOLATION... THE HRRR... AND SREF GUIDANCE.
BEYOND TONIGHT THROUGH THE BALANCE OF THE SHORT TERM... WHEN THINGS
GENERALLY QUIET DOWN... USED A BLEND OF PERSISTENCE FROM THE
PREVIOUS FORECAST TOGETHER WITH THE GFS AND SREF. FOR THE EXTENDED
PERIOD... STUCK CLOSE TO HPC GUIDANCE... WHILE TRYING TO MINIMIZE
POPS AND NOT BLANKET TOO MANY PERIODS.

FRONTAL BOUNDARY AND UPPER TROUGH MOVE EAST THROUGH THE AREA
TONIGHT... TRANSITIONING THE HIGHER POPS FROM WEST TO EAST AS IT
DOES SO. ALTHOUGH THE INITIAL TROUGH/FRONT PASSES THROUGH
TONIGHT... WE DON/T GET A SECONDARY TROUGH PASSAGE UNTIL LATER ON
SATURDAY... WHICH LOOKS TO USHER IN THE DRIER BOUNDARY LAYER AIR
WE NEED TO FINALLY SCOUR OUT THE CHANCE OF PCPN. SO... WILL
INITIALLY LOWER POPS BEHIND TONIGHT/S FEATURE WHILE LINGERING SOME
OVER THE NORTH WHERE BETTER MID LEVEL LAPSE RATES REMAIN... THEN
WILL BRING SOME CHANCE POPS BACK ACROSS THE AREA SATURDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING WHILE THE SECONDARY FEATURE DRIVES THROUGH
THE STATE AND BRINGS MORE LEGITIMATELY COOL AND DRY AIR TO THE
AREA.

SURFACE RIDGING AND PREDOMINANTLY NORTHWEST UPPER FLOW LOOK TO BE
ANCHORED IN PLACE FROM SUNDAY INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK... WITH
MINIMAL RETURN FLOW ANTICIPATED. WILL GO WITH A DRY FORECAST FOR
THE ENTIRE AREA FROM SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY WITH THE EXPECTATION
THAT THE AIRMASS WILL BE SUFFICIENTLY DRY TO PRECLUDE THE
DEVELOPMENT OF ANY SHRA/TSRA DURING THE PASSAGE OF A FEW WEAK
SHORTWAVES THAT ARE PROGGED TO SWING THROUGH ON THE NORTHWEST
UPPER FLOW. BY TUESDAY NIGHT WE LOOK TO GET ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE
SURFACE RIDGE AND PERHAPS SEE ENOUGH MOISTURE RETURN FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF SOME PCPN. THIS INITIAL SURGE OF MOISTURE RETURN
LOOKS TO ABATE ON WEDNESDAY... BUT A MORE PERSISTENT PERIOD OF
MOISTURE RETURN ALONG WITH ZONAL UPPER FLOW IS PROGGED TO ARRIVE
LATE THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY... SO WILL BRING A CHANCE BACK ACROSS
THE ENTIRE AREA BY THAT TIME.

WITH NORTHWEST UPPER FLOW AND SURFACE RIDGING FOR MUCH OF THE
FORECAST BEYOND SATURDAY THE MAIN STORY WILL BE THE COOLER
TEMPERATURES... BOTH DAYTIME HIGHS AND OVERNIGHT LOWS... WITH
VALUES RUNNING NEAR OR A BIT BELOW NORMAL MOST OF THE WEEK.

&&

.AVIATION.../18Z TAF ISSUANCE/

SAME SCENARIO AS PER PREVIOUS AVIATION DISCUSSION WITH CONVECTION
DEVELOPING ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF A POTENT SHORT WAVE MOVING
INTO FAR SW MN AS OF 12 PM. SHRA/TSRA AHEAD OF THIS FEATURE WILL
ALLOW FOR EMBEDDED LOWER CEILINGS AND POSSIBLY MVFR CEILINGS...BUT
THE MAIN ACTION SHOULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MAIN WAVE EXPECTED
TO IMPACT RWF/AXN BETWEEN 18-20Z...AND AT STC ARND 19-21Z...AND AT
RNH/MSP BETWEEN 20-22Z. CEILINGS SHOULD BE PREDOMINATELY
VFR...WITH ONLY A SHORT PERIOD OF IFR/MVFR IN TSRA. ALTHOUGH IF
THE CONVECTION BECOMES MORE WIDESPREAD...MVFR/IFR CEILINGS MAY
DEVELOP...ESPECIALLY DURING THE EARLY EVENING HRS IN WEST CENTRAL
WISCONSIN...AFFECTING MAINLY EAU/RNH.

BETWEEN 00-06Z...COLD FRONT SHOULD HAVE MOVED THROUGH MOST OF THE
TAF AREAS OF MSP. WITH ONLY CBS OR VCTS FOR EAU BETWEEN 02-04Z/14.
AFT 06Z...EXPECT SOME IFR/LIFR CEILINGS/VSBYS AS WNDS DECOUPLE AND
AMPLE LOW LEVEL MOISTURE REMAINS. LATER SHIFTS WILL NEED TO UPDATE
FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF VV001 AND 1/4SM IN FG FOR STC/MSP/RNH/EAU.
RWF/AXN...SHOULD NOT BE AS BAD IN TERMS OF CEILINGS/VSBYS.
HOWEVER...THIS IS BASED ONLY ON THE LATEST SHORT TERM MODELS.

MSP...SHRA/TSRA AND LOWER CEILINGS WILL LIKELY DEVELOP BETWEEN
20-21Z...AND LAST FOR AN HR TO TWO. IFR/MVFR CEILINGS WILL BE
POSSIBLE...BUT SHOULD ONLY LAST FOR A SHORT PERIOD OR UNDER A HALF
HOUR. MOST OF THE CONVECTION SHOULD BE DONE BY 01-02Z...OR AT
LEAST THE HEAVIEST ACTIVITY WITH ONLY FG/BR AND LOWER CEILINGS
POSSIBLE DURING THE OVERNIGHT PERIOD. WNDS WILL BE FROM THE S/SE
THIS AFTN...BECOMING W/NW THIS EVENING...THEN SHIFTING TO THE S ON
SATURDAY. THERE MAY BE A TEMPORARY PERIOD OF MVFR CEILINGS THRU
19Z AS LOW LEVEL MOISTURE FROM SHRA/TSRA TO THE SE OF MSP...MOVE
OVER THE MSP TAF AREA.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR FREEBORN-GOODHUE-
     STEELE.

WI...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR BARRON-CHIPPEWA-DUNN-
     EAU CLAIRE-PEPIN-PIERCE-RUSK-ST. CROIX.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 13, 10:58 AM CST, 2 hours 27 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1158 AM CDT FRI AUG 13 2010

MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028-
141700-
DOUGLAS-TODD-MORRISON-MILLE LACS-KANABEC-STEVENS-POPE-STEARNS-
BENTON-SHERBURNE-ISANTI-CHISAGO-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-
KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-WRIGHT-HENNEPIN-ANOKA-RAMSEY-WASHINGTON-
YELLOW MEDICINE-RENVILLE-MCLEOD-SIBLEY-CARVER-SCOTT-DAKOTA-
REDWOOD-BROWN-NICOLLET-LE SUEUR-RICE-GOODHUE-WATONWAN-BLUE EARTH-
WASECA-STEELE-MARTIN-FARIBAULT-FREEBORN-POLK-BARRON-RUSK-
ST. CROIX-PIERCE-DUNN-PEPIN-EAU CLAIRE-
1158 AM CDT FRI AUG 13 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA...AND WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

A LOW PRESSURE TROUGH WILL BE MOVING INTO MINNESOTA TODAY WITH
MORE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE. THE MAIN RISK OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY TONIGHT...
MAINLY BETWEEN 3 PM AND 10 PM. AREAS WHICH HAVE A POTENTIAL TO
SEE SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE PRIMARILY SOUTH AND EAST OF A LINE FROM
FAIRMONT THROUGH THE SOUTHERN TWIN CITIES METRO AREA TO
LADYSMITH... WITH THE GREATEST RISK SOUTH OF A LINE FROM MANKATO
THROUGH RED WING TO EAU CLAIRE. AN ISOLATED TORNADO IS POSSIBLE...
MAINLY SOUTH OF A LINE FROM FAIRMONT TO FARIBAULT... BUT THE
PRIMARY THREATS FROM STORMS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN.
THE HEAVY RAIN COULD EXACERBATE CURRENT HIGH WATER CONDITIONS AND
LEAD TO ADDITIONAL FLOODING... PARTICULARLY ALONG AND SOUTH OF A
LINE FROM NEW ULM THROUGH THE TWIN CITIES METRO AREA TO CHIPPEWA
FALLS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON... BUT
SEVERE WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED. THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE AGAIN
ON TUESDAY NIGHT... AND FROM THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY... ALTHOUGH NO
ORGANIZED SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS APPEAR LIKELY AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING
OVER PARTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA INTO WEST
CENTRAL WISCONSIN.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 13, 12:21 PM CST, 1 hour 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
121 PM CDT FRI AUG 13 2010

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0117 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     1 S STEELE CENTER       43.92N 93.19W
08/13/2010                   STEELE             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            FROM ROCHESTER PATROL BRIEF FUNNEL BETWEEN MM35 AND 36

&&

LRS

Local storm report, Aug 13, 12:42 PM CST, 43 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
142 PM CDT FRI AUG 13 2010

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0735 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 NNE BELGRADE          45.52N 94.96W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FIVE FARMSTEADS DAMAGED. TIME ESTIMATED.

0755 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ROCKVILLE               45.47N 94.34W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            HOME DAMAGED. TIME ESTIMATED.

0800 PM     TSTM WND DMG     WAITE PARK              45.55N 94.22W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED.

0800 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ST CLOUD                45.55N 94.17W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED.

0800 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ST AUGUSTA              45.44N 94.19W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FARMSTEAD DAMAGED. TIME ESTIMATED.

&&

MKM

Special weather statement, Aug 13, 12:46 PM CST, 39 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
146 PM CDT FRI AUG 13 2010

MNZ041-042-048-049-055-057-058-131915-
DOUGLAS-KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-POPE-STEARNS-SWIFT-TODD-
146 PM CDT FRI AUG 13 2010

...THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS
DOUGLAS...KANDIYOHI...MEEKER...POPE...STEARNS...SWIFT AND TODD
COUNTIES THROUGH 215 PM CDT...

AT 137 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG
THUNDERSTORM 7 MILES SOUTH OF SEDAN. THIS STORM WAS MOVING NORTHEAST
AT 35 MPH.

PEA SIZE HAIL...WINDS UP TO 40 MPH...AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED
WITH THIS STORM.

* LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...
  BROOTEN.
  GROVE LAKE.
  PADUA.
  ELROSA.
  SPRING HILL.
  MEIRE GROVE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS THUNDERSTORM COULD INTENSIFY QUICKLY...SO BE READY TO ACT IF A
WARNING IS ISSUED.

&&

LAT...LON 4606 9508 4537 9458 4514 9522 4574 9542
TIME...MOT...LOC 1846Z 235DEG 30KT 4553 9513

JLT

Special weather statement, Aug 13, 12:49 PM CST, 36 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
149 PM CDT FRI AUG 13 2010

MNZ044-045-051-052-WIZ014-131915-
ISANTI-KANABEC-MILLE LACS-POLK-SHERBURNE-
149 PM CDT FRI AUG 13 2010

...THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO/DEVELOPING OVER ISANTI...KANABEC...MILLE
LACS...POLK AND SHERBURNE COUNTIES THROUGH 215 PM CDT...

AT 142 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG
THUNDERSTORM NEAR STANCHFIELD. THIS STORM WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35
MPH.

PEA SIZE HAIL...WINDS UP TO 40 MPH...AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED
WITH THIS STORM.

* LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...
  BRAHAM.
  QUAMBA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS THUNDERSTORM COULD INTENSIFY QUICKLY...SO BE READY TO ACT IF A
WARNING IS ISSUED.

&&

LAT...LON 4599 9304 4597 9312 4557 9314 4556 9307
      4562 9289 4565 9288 4564 9283 4541 9356
      4587 9373 4612 9305
TIME...MOT...LOC 1849Z 234DEG 30KT 4570 9308

JLT

Local storm report, Aug 13, 12:58 PM CST, 27 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
158 PM CDT FRI AUG 13 2010

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0153 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     30 NW CAMBRIDGE         45.87N 93.67W
08/13/2010                   MILLE LACS         MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            OBSERVER IN CITY OF CAMBRIDGE REPORTS 2 FUNNELS WITH
            ROTATION

&&

LRS

Local storm report, Aug 13, 1:19 PM CST, 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
219 PM CDT FRI AUG 13 2010

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0551 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     4 N MADISON             45.07N 96.19W
08/12/2010                   LAC QUI PARLE      MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0552 PM     TORNADO          1 SSW LOUISBURG         45.15N 96.18W
08/12/2010                   LAC QUI PARLE      MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            BRIEF TOUCHDOWN. GRAIN BIN PICKED UP AND THROWN 100
            YARDS. GRAIN BINS A FEW FEET AWAY ON EITHER SIDE OF
            DAMAGED GRAIN BIN LEFT UNTOUCHED.

0555 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 W MADISON             45.01N 96.21W
08/12/2010                   LAC QUI PARLE      MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            PORTION OF CORNFIELD FLATTENED JUST OFF HWY 40. TIME
            ESTIMATED.

0600 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     WALNUT GROVE            44.23N 95.47W
08/12/2010                   REDWOOD            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0605 PM     TORNADO          BELLINGHAM              45.14N 96.28W
08/12/2010                   LAC QUI PARLE      MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            PORCH RIPPED OFF BUILDING.

0622 PM     TORNADO          1 N LOUISBURG           45.18N 96.17W
08/12/2010                   LAC QUI PARLE      MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            DEBRIS IN THE AIR.

0624 PM     TORNADO          3 W DAWSON              44.93N 96.11W
08/12/2010                   LAC QUI PARLE      MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0630 PM     TSTM WND DMG     DELHI                   44.60N 95.21W
08/12/2010                   REDWOOD            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN IN TOWN.

0630 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SW OLIVIA             44.77N 95.01W
08/12/2010                   RENVILLE           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            POWER LINE POLE DOWN.

0633 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 WNW OLIVIA            44.78N 95.01W
08/12/2010                   RENVILLE           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TOPS BLOWN OFF TREES WITH BASE GREATER THEN 20 INCHES IN
            DIAMETER AND NUMEROUS LIMBS DOWN GREATER THEN 6 INCHES.

0647 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MORRIS                  45.59N 95.91W
08/12/2010                   STEVENS            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LARGE LIMBS DOWN UP TO 6 INCHES AND TREES DOWN GREATER
            THEN 8 INCHES.

0648 PM     TSTM WND GST     MORRIS                  45.59N 95.91W
08/12/2010  M60.00 MPH       STEVENS            MN   AWOS

0715 PM     TSTM WND DMG     HUTCHINSON              44.89N 94.37W
08/12/2010                   MCLEOD             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            30 AND 6 IN BRANCHES DOWN AT 3RD AVE NW AND WATER ST NW

0730 PM     HAIL             2 SE ALEXANDRIA         45.85N 95.35W
08/12/2010  M1.00 INCH       DOUGLAS            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0735 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 NNE BELGRADE          45.52N 94.96W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FIVE FARMSTEADS DAMAGED. TIME ESTIMATED.

0735 PM     TSTM WND DMG     HOWARD LAKE             45.06N 94.07W
08/12/2010                   WRIGHT             MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE BRANCHES UP TO 8 INCHES IN DIAMETER DOWN.

0739 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     6 N BECKER              45.46N 93.87W
08/12/2010                   SHERBURNE          MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0739 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     3 S PAYNESVILLE         45.34N 94.72W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0745 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BUFFALO                 45.18N 93.87W
08/12/2010                   WRIGHT             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            4 INCH DIAMETER BRANCHES DOWN.

0745 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 NNE BROOTEN           45.55N 95.09W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TOP OF SILO MISSING. ROOFS OF BARNS RIPPED OFF. GARAGE
            PUSHED OFF ITS FOUNDATION.

0748 PM     LIGHTNING        NNW EAGLE BEND          46.17N 95.03W
08/12/2010                   TODD               MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREE DOWN DUE TO LIGHTNING STRIKE

0752 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MONTICELLO              45.30N 93.80W
08/12/2010                   WRIGHT             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            14 INCH DIAMETER TREE DOWN.

0752 PM     TSTM WND DMG     N FORADA                45.79N 95.36W
08/12/2010                   DOUGLAS            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.

0755 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ROCKVILLE               45.47N 94.34W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            HOME DAMAGED. TIME ESTIMATED.

0759 PM     HAIL             2 N HOLDINGFORD         45.76N 94.47W
08/12/2010  M0.75 INCH       STEARNS            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0800 PM     TSTM WND DMG     WAITE PARK              45.55N 94.22W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED.

0800 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ST CLOUD                45.55N 94.17W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED.

0800 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ST AUGUSTA              45.44N 94.19W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FARMSTEAD DAMAGED. TIME ESTIMATED.

0811 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     SARTELL                 45.62N 94.21W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0815 PM     TSTM WND GST     SARTELL                 45.62N 94.21W
08/12/2010  M61.00 MPH       STEARNS            MN   PUBLIC

0816 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     FOLEY                   45.66N 93.91W
08/12/2010                   BENTON             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0818 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     2 N MEIRE GROVE         45.66N 94.87W
08/12/2010                   STEARNS            MN   AMATEUR RADIO

0825 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 SE EDEN PRAIRIE       44.81N 93.40W
08/12/2010  E50.00 MPH       SCOTT              MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0830 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 WNW CAMBRIDGE         45.60N 93.34W
08/12/2010                   ISANTI             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SEVERAL TREES WITH 8 TO 10 INCH DIAMETER LIMBS DOWN.

0832 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MILACA                  45.76N 93.65W
08/12/2010                   MILLE LACS         MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            18 INCH DIAMETER TREE DOWN.

0845 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 E STANCHFIELD         45.66N 93.09W
08/12/2010                   CHISAGO            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SPOTTER SAW MANY TREES...SOME UP TO 7 FEET IN DIAMETER
            DOWN WHILE DRIVING FROM THIS LOCATION SOUTHWEST TO
            CAMBRIDGE ALONG CO RD 4 AND 7 IN CHISAGO COUNTY TO COUNTY
            RD 2 AND HWY 95 JUST EAST OF CAMBRIDGE IN ISANTI COUNTY.
            TIME WAS ESTIMATED.

1118 PM     FLASH FLOOD      GRANITE FALLS           44.81N 95.54W
08/12/2010                   CHIPPEWA           MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            ROAD CLOSED...KNEE DEEP WATER ON U.S. HWY 212 WESTERN
            RENVILLE COUNTY.

1130 PM     FLASH FLOOD      SACRED HEART            44.78N 95.35W
08/12/2010                   RENVILLE           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STREET FLOODING.

1130 PM     HAIL             SACRED HEART            44.78N 95.35W
08/12/2010  E0.75 INCH       RENVILLE           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

1143 PM     HAIL             SACRED HEART            44.78N 95.35W
08/12/2010  E0.75 INCH       RENVILLE           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

1157 PM     HAIL             BUTTERFIELD             43.96N 94.79W
08/12/2010  E1.00 INCH       WATONWAN           MN   BROADCAST MEDIA

1208 AM     HAIL             BUTTERFIELD             43.96N 94.79W
08/13/2010  E1.00 INCH       WATONWAN           MN   BROADCAST MEDIA

1221 AM     FLASH FLOOD      OLIVIA                  44.78N 95.00W
08/13/2010                   RENVILLE           MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            10 TO 12 INCHES WATER ON ROADS AROUND TOWN AND ALSO
            WESTERN RENVILLE COUNTY.

1221 AM     FLASH FLOOD      RENVILLE                44.79N 95.21W
08/13/2010                   RENVILLE           MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            UP TO 10 INCHES OF WATER ON U.S. HIGHWAY 212 WESTERN
            RENVILLE COUNTY...WATER COVERED ROADS CLOSED OR
            CLOSING...MNDOT NOTIFIED.

1230 AM     TSTM WND DMG     FAIRMONT                43.64N 94.46W
08/13/2010                   MARTIN             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            LOTS OF TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN...ESPECIALLY IN WEST
            PART OF TOWN. 5 POWER POLES SUPPORTING HIGH VOLTAGE LINES
            DOWNED. ROOF OF WAREHOUSE AND LARGE GARAGE DOOR DAMAGED
            AT INDUSTRIAL PARK. DAMAGE REPORTED AT MARTIN COUNTY
            FAIRGROUNDS INCLUDING BLEACHERS BLOWN OVER...TREES
            DOWN...AND SMALL TIN BUILDING DESTROYED. TREE DOWNED ON
            MOBILE HOME. SMALL CAMPER ROLLED OVER AND DESTROYED.
            NEARBY CAR PARKED ON GRASS HAD BACK END PUSHED 8 FT. TIME
            ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

1256 AM     FLASH FLOOD      BROWNTON                44.73N 94.35W
08/13/2010                   MCLEOD             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STREET FLOODING.

1257 AM     TSTM WND GST     3 NE MADELIA            44.08N 94.37W
08/13/2010  M49.00 MPH       WATONWAN           MN   MESONET

            WIND GUST MEASURED AT MNDOT ROAD WEATHER SITE ON HWY 60
            AT MILE POST 86.

0125 AM     HAIL             5 ENE LAKE CRYSTAL      44.12N 94.13W
08/13/2010  M0.75 INCH       BLUE EARTH         MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0143 AM     FLASH FLOOD      NORWOOD/YOUNG AMERICA   44.78N 93.92W
08/13/2010                   CARVER             MN   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            12 TO 18 INCHES OF WATER FLOODING STREETS.

0146 AM     FLASH FLOOD      COLOGNE                 44.77N 93.79W
08/13/2010                   CARVER             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WATER FLOODING STREETS TO CURB HEIGHT.

0200 AM     TSTM WND DMG     NORWOOD/YOUNG AMERICA   44.78N 93.92W
08/13/2010                   CARVER             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            3 TO 4 INCH BRANCHES DOWN.

0215 AM     FLASH FLOOD      CHASKA                  44.82N 93.61W
08/13/2010                   CARVER             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            4 FEET OF WATER FLOWING OVER INTERSECTION.

0220 AM     TSTM WND DMG     CARVER                  44.76N 93.63W
08/13/2010                   CARVER             MN   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            12 TO 18 INCH DIAMETER TREE DOWN.

0227 AM     FLASH FLOOD      CARVER                  44.76N 93.63W
08/13/2010                   CARVER             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            MOST OF THE CITY STREETS HAVE 8 INCHES OF WATER COVERING.

0230 AM     TSTM WND DMG     3 W ELLENDALE           43.87N 93.36W
08/13/2010                   STEELE             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ROOF OFF A GRAINERY...LARGE TREE DOWN.

0244 AM     FLASH FLOOD      MINNETONKA              44.91N 93.50W
08/13/2010                   HENNEPIN           MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            12 INCHES WATER COVERING HIGHWAY 7.

0244 AM     HAIL             MORRISTOWN              44.22N 93.44W
08/13/2010  E0.50 INCH       RICE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0245 AM     TSTM WND GST     LAKEVILLE               44.68N 93.24W
08/13/2010  E60.00 MPH       DAKOTA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0255 AM     FLASH FLOOD      BELLE PLAINE            44.62N 93.76W
08/13/2010                   SCOTT              MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            STREET FLOODING.

0257 AM     TSTM WND DMG     9 WNW FARIBAULT         44.34N 93.44W
08/13/2010                   RICE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            12 TO 15 INCH BRANCHES DOWN...TIME ESTIMATED WITH RADAR.

0257 AM     TSTM WND GST     9 WNW FARIBAULT         44.34N 93.44W
08/13/2010  M73.00 MPH       RICE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TIME ESTIMATED WITH RADAR.

0322 AM     FLASH FLOOD      FARIBAULT               44.30N 93.27W
08/13/2010                   RICE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STREET FLOODING...CAR STALLED IN WATER IN TOWN.

0325 AM     TSTM WND DMG     FARMINGTON              44.66N 93.18W
08/13/2010                   DAKOTA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WINDOWS BLOWN OUT.

0330 AM     FLASH FLOOD      APPLE VALLEY            44.75N 93.20W
08/13/2010                   DAKOTA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STREET FLOODING UP TO CAR DOORS.

0335 AM     FLASH FLOOD      NNE FARIBAULT           44.30N 93.27W
08/13/2010                   RICE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STREET FLOODING.

0335 AM     TSTM WND DMG     5 ESE LAKEVILLE         44.64N 93.16W
08/13/2010                   DAKOTA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            RESIDENTIAL HOMES DAMAGED...ROOFS OFF...NEAR LAKEVILLE
            FARMINGTON LINE...TIME ESTIMATED.

0405 AM     TSTM WND GST     FARMINGTON              44.66N 93.18W
08/13/2010  M48.00 MPH       DAKOTA             MN   MESONET

            MEASURED AT FARMINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL WEST

0424 AM     HAIL             LESTER PRAIRIE          44.88N 94.04W
08/13/2010  M1.50 INCH       MCLEOD             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0545 AM     HAIL             6 SW STARBUCK           45.56N 95.63W
08/13/2010  E0.75 INCH       POPE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0620 AM     HAIL             4 WNW BROOTEN           45.51N 95.20W
08/13/2010  M0.88 INCH       POPE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0625 AM     HAIL             4 NNE GILCHRIST         45.51N 95.30W
08/13/2010  M1.00 INCH       POPE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0629 AM     HAIL             BROOTEN                 45.50N 95.12W
08/13/2010  E0.75 INCH       STEARNS            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0636 AM     TSTM WND GST     GEORGEVILLE             45.44N 94.94W
08/13/2010  M48.00 MPH       STEARNS            MN   MESONET

            MNDOT ROAD SENSOR

0800 AM     HEAVY RAIN       3 WSW MARYSTOWN         44.70N 93.59W
08/13/2010  E3.90 INCH       SCOTT              MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0800 AM     HEAVY RAIN       11 SW LITCHFIELD        45.02N 94.71W
08/13/2010  M2.25 INCH       MEEKER             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0818 AM     HEAVY RAIN       FARIBAULT               44.30N 93.27W
08/13/2010  M3.00 INCH       RICE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0818 AM     HEAVY RAIN       NERSTRAND               44.34N 93.06W
08/13/2010  M4.50 INCH       RICE               MN   BROADCAST MEDIA

0818 AM     HEAVY RAIN       DENNISON                44.40N 93.03W
08/13/2010  M3.50 INCH       GOODHUE            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0900 AM     HEAVY RAIN       BURNSVILLE              44.76N 93.28W
08/13/2010  M3.30 INCH       DAKOTA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0900 AM     HEAVY RAIN       CLARA CITY              44.96N 95.37W
08/13/2010  E4.00 INCH       CHIPPEWA           MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

0900 AM     HEAVY RAIN       DANUBE                  44.79N 95.10W
08/13/2010  E5.00 INCH       RENVILLE           MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            5 INCHES OF RAIN REPORTED IN NORTHWEST CORNER OF RENVILLE
            COUNTY DURING PAST 24 HOURS. 3 INCHES REPORTED NEAR
            DANUBE.

&&

MKM

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 112 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:23 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 thunderstorm wind, 3 hail, 2 funnel cloud, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Kandiyohi

When: August 13, 1:25 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi County, 3.98 mi ENE of Hawick
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.380, -94.780

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: August 13, 1:48 PM CST to 1:50 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, Holdingford to 0.21 mi ENE of Holdingford
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.730, -94.470

A 20 inch diameter tree was blown down near Holdingford, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: August 13, 1:55 PM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 3.07 mi NNW of St Stephen to 0.48 mi W of Sartell
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 45.744, -94.283

Hundreds of trees were broken or snapped in an eight mile wide swath extending from County Road 17 to Sartell on the eastern edge of Stearns County. A silo and a shed's roof were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stearns

When: August 13, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Stearns County, 3.59 mi SSW of St Augusta
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.430, -94.170

An 8 inch diameter tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: August 13, 2:00 PM CST to 2:10 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 2.71 mi S of Rice to 5.14 mi N of Fruitville
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 45.712, -94.219

Many hundreds, perhaps thousands of trees were uprooted, snapped or broken in an eight mile wide swath that extended from the western edge of the county, near Rice to Watab, to just north of Sartell, to north central Benton County, in Graham Township, centered near State Highway 25 and County Road 77. In addition, a local Minnesota Department of Transportation Weather Station near Rice, measured a wind gust of 64 knots. A semi-truck was blown over near Rice along Highway 10, resulting in one injury. Plus, a spotter on the northeast shore of Little Rock Lake measured a wind gust of 81 mph before his tower collapsed and the anemometer ceased to function. The intense wind blew from the southwest. Hundreds of large and healthy trees were broken or snapped, blocking roads. The storm survey team concluded a downburst hit the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morrison

When: August 13, 2:00 PM CST to 2:10 PM CST
Where: Morrison County, 0.48 mi E of Royalton to 2.59 mi N of Little Rock
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 45.830, -94.290

Significant straight-line wind damage occurred from near Royalton, east along and near East Nature Road for roughly 13 miles. Damage included a chicken barn roof blown off, shingles off a home, and several large trees uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: August 13, 2:12 PM CST to 2:13 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 0.95 mi ENE of Gilman
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.734, -93.951

A wind gust of 81 mph was measured in the city of Gilman, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mille Lacs

When: August 13, 2:33 PM CST to 2:37 PM CST
Where: Mille Lacs County, 2.99 mi WNW of Milaca Muni Arpt to 1.79 mi NNW of Milaca
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 45.791, -93.684

Several large trees were broken, a shed was destroyed, and some siding on a house was ripped off. In addition, a large tree was blown down in the city of Milaca.

Hail, Sherburne

When: August 13, 2:40 PM CST to 2:43 PM CST
Where: Sherburne County, 1.46 mi SSE of Clear Lake to 0.39 mi SE of Clear Lake
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.430, -93.990

Several reports of nickel, up to quarter size hail fell around the Clear Lake area of Minnesota.

Funnel Cloud, Sherburne

When: August 13, 2:43 PM CST
Where: Sherburne County, Clear Lake
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 45.450, -94.000

Thunderstorm Wind, Kanabec

When: August 13, 2:49 PM CST to 2:55 PM CST
Where: Kanabec County, 1.5 mi N of Mora to 0.24 mi N of Mora Arpt
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 45.902, -93.304

Several trees were blown down around Mora, Minnesota. In addition, the local AWOS at Mora measured a wind gust of 56 mph at 255 PM CST, with a report of 57 mph wind gust northeast of Mora on a local RAWS Station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kanabec

When: August 13, 2:52 PM CST to 2:54 PM CST
Where: Kanabec County, 2.95 mi E of Brunswick to 2.45 mi WNW of Grasston
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 45.795, -93.219

A storm survey indicated that a downburst caused dozens of trees to be blown down in southeastern Kanabec County. A few sheds were destroyed, and the roof of a barn collapsed.

Hail, Washington

When: August 13, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 2.07 mi ESE of Hugo
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 45.160, -92.960

Funnel Cloud, Blue Earth

When: August 13, 4:26 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, 0.85 mi NW of Rapidan
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 44.110, -94.080

Tornado, Blue Earth

When: August 13, 4:35 PM CST to 4:37 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth County, 3.54 mi NW of Rapidan to 3.5 mi NW of Rapidan
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.08 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.139, -94.116

Tornado touched down just southeast of the intersection of Highways 60 and 169. It hit a field and lofted numerous corn stalks. After dissipating, the parent circulation moved to the vicinity of the intersection of County Road 90 and State Highway 22, but no additional touchdowns were noted. Tornado was photographed by spotter.

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 2010 Every state in 2010 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 2010 Warnings in Minnesota, August 2010

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: 244726, 242248, 242254, 242257, 242263, 242264, 254891, 249088, 244727, 254899, 242256, 249086, 244729, 254900, 249066.