Excessive Heat in Minnesota, July 18 to 20, 2011

Name: Excessive Heat in Minnesota, July 18 to 20, 2011
Start: 2011-07-18T09:00
End: 2011-07-20T18:00
Location: Minnesota

July 18 to 20, 2011 · NWS MPX · 42 events in 42 counties and zones

A large ridge of high pressure expanded across the Upper Midwest and allowed for a stagnant pattern, and eventually oppressive heat and humidity to develop. The heat wave broke records for temperature and dew point, and even heat indices across the region.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 42 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: 1
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $1.0 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 42

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 large ridge of high pressure expanded across the Upper Midwest and allowed for a stagnant pattern, and eventually oppressive heat and humidity to develop.

The heat wave broke records for temperature and dew point, and even heat indices across the region. Maximum heat index values of 115 to 125 were common.

Impacts across the Twin Cities Metro Area:

A record high minimum temperature was set on July 18th, when a low temperature of 80 degrees was recorded at Minneapolis - St. Paul International Airport. The previous record was 78 degrees which was set in 1986.

A record high minimum temperature was also set on July 20th, when a low temperature of 80 degrees was recorded. The previous record was 76 degrees which was set in 1901, 1935 and 1940.

The record high minimum temperature was tied on July 17th, with a low temperature of 79 degrees. The record was previously set in 1936 and 1942.

A heat index value of 119 degrees was calculated from a temperature of 95 and dew point of 82 at the airport at 4PM on July 19th. The dew point of 82 degrees set an all-time record at Minneapolis-St Paul airport.

In St. Cloud, Minnesota:

The second longest consecutive stretch of low temperatures at or above 70 degrees was set this week. Five days in a row, temperatures bottomed out at or above 70 degrees, ending July 20th (the longest streak in St. Cloud is 10 consecutive days, set between July 16th and July 25th 1981).

Precipitable water values during the warm and humid stretch appears to be broken with a record PWAT measurement for the period of record (1948-present) during the 6 am balloon launch on July 18th. The PWAT measured on that morning was 2.44 inches.

A total of 44 fans were treated at Target Field (32 treated in their first aid facilities and more than a dozen treated in their seats).

The heatwave led to record power demand. Xcel Energy set a new record with the highest one-day peak demand ever of a little more than 9,500 megawatts on Monday, July 18th.

The heat affected turkeys in southwest Minnesota, where 50,000 turkeys died due to heat related causes near Redwood Falls. In addition to the turkeys that died, several news articles had references to heat related deaths to livestock in southern and western Minnesota, but the articles were not specific for counties.

The heat and humidity were also blamed for road buckling on I-94 in Minneapolis. |Two lanes of northbound I-94 at Lowry Ave, and two lanes of eastbound I-94 at 49th Ave, were closed because of buckling pavement.

A 66 year old man died in Benson (Swift County) on July 20. He was mowing the lawn when he collapsed and died that day at the local hospital.

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 Jul 18, 5:54 AM CST, 3 hours 6 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 18, 5:54 AM CST, 3 hours 6 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
654 AM CDT MON JUL 18 2011

.AVIATION... /12Z TAF ISSUANCE/

THUNDERSTORM CLUSTER NEAR KEAU IS AHEAD OF ANOTHER MID LEVEL SHORT
WAVE. THIS ACTIVITY WILL BE PRIMARILY TO THE WEST AND SOUTH
THROUGH 15Z. A FRONTAL BOUNDARY MEANDERS ACROSS CENTRAL MN INTO
WEST CENTRAL WI. THE BOUNDARY IS NORTH OF KAXN AND KSTC ATTM BUT
WILL DROP SOUTH OF THESE TAFS SITES THIS MORNING TURNING WINDS
AROUND TO THE NORTH. MVFR CEILINGS NORTH OF THE FRONT WILL LIKELY
MOVE INTO KAXN AND KSTC FOR A FEW HOURS THIS MORNING. KRNH WILL
ALSO SEE SOME MVFR CEILINGS THIS MORNING. CONFIDENCE LOW ON WHEN
AND WHERE THE NEXT ROUND OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OCCUR. SREF
PROBABILITIES ARE A GOOD PROXY AND KAXN PROBABLY HAS THE BEST
CHANCE OF SEEING SOMETHING LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING AS THE
BOUNDARY BEGINS TO MOVE BACK NORTH AND A SHORT WAVE APPROACHES
FROM THE WEST. NEXT CONCERN IS THE AMOUNT OF STRATUS AND FOG THAT
WILL DEVELOP AHEAD OF THE BOUNDARY TONIGHT. IF CONDITIONS NORTH OF
US THIS MORNING ARE AN INDICATION...THEN KSTC ON EAST THROUGH KRNH
AND KEAU WILL BE IFR OR LOWER. INDICATED THIS IDEA FOR KRNH AND
KEAU WITH A HINT OF IT AT KSTC.

KMSP...CEILINGS IN THE 035-045 RANGE THIS MORNING SHOULD GIVE WAY
TO SCT CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON. LIGHT WEST WINDS THIS MORNING
TURNING NORTH THIS AFTERNOON AS A BOUNDARY TO THE NORTH MOVES
THROUGH. CONFIDENCE LOW ON PRECIPITATION THREAT LATE THIS
AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT AS THE BOUNDARY BEGINS TO TURN AROUND MOVE
BACK NORTH. CURRENT INDICATIONS SHOW BETTER CHANCES FOR SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS WELL TO THE WEST AND SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. USED
VCSH AT THIS TIME.

&&

.DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 418 AM CDT MON JUL 18 2011/

TWO MAIN CONCERNS THIS FORECAST PERIOD ARE THE EXCESSIVE HEAT
THROUGH WEDNESDAY AND PLACEMENT OF POPS AND TRYING TO HIGHLIGHT
TIMES/AREAS WHERE THUNDER CHANCES ARE MORE OR LESS FAVORED.

SURFACE ANALYSIS THIS MORNING SHOWS FRONTAL BOUNDARY AS DRIFTED
NORTH OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS...WITH IT NOW LAYING ESSENTIALLY
RIGHT ALONG THE NRN MPX CWA BOUNDARY. ON WATER VAPOR...MOIST PLUME
CONTINUES TO RUN AROUND THE SUB-TROPICAL RIDGE FROM THE
ROCKIES...ACROSS THE DAKOTAS AND INTO MN/WI. ABOUT THE ONLY
NOTICEABLE CHANGE TO THE MOISTURE PLUME THIS EVENING IS THAT IT HAS
DRIFTED EVER SO SLIGHTLY NORTH ACROSS THE DAKOTAS AND IS NOW OUT
OF NEB.

FOR THE HEAT...PLUME OF VERY WARM AIR REMAINS OVER THE AREA. H85
TEMP STANDARD DEVIATIONS OF BETWEEN +2C AND +3C IN PLACE THIS
MORNING...AND THE GEFS KEEPS THEM IN THIS RANGE THROUGH
WEDNESDAY...BEFORE COOLER AIR AT H85 BEGINS MAKING INROADS.
BIGGEST QUESTION MARK THROUGH THIS PERIOD WILL BE AMOUNT OF CLOUD
COVER DURING THE DAYS. IF WE GET SHOWERS/CLOUDS AS WE DID ON
SUNDAY...THEN HIGHS WILL STAY IN THE LOW 90S...BUT ANY ONE OF THE
NEXT THREE DAYS THAT DOES NOT SEE CLOUD COVER DURING THE
AFTERNOON...THEN MID/UPPER 90S WILL BE COMMON. THROW IN WITH THAT
DEWPS CONTINUING IN THE UPPER 70S TO NEAR 80 AND WE WILL CONTINUE
TO SEE HEAT INDEX VALUES SWELL UP TOWARD 115. THE DAY WITH THE
POTENTIAL TO BE THE WARMEST IS BY FAR WEDNESDAY. HERE...A MORE
SOUTHWESTERLY FLOW WILL OVERSPREAD THE AREA AS A COLD FRONT MOVES
EAST ACROSS THE DAKOTAS/NW MN. AS THIS HAPPENS H85 TO H7 TEMPS ARE
FORECAST TO SWELL A FEW DEGREES MORE WEDNESDAY. MAY SEE SOME
TRIPLE DIGIT HIGHS WEDNESDAY IF THE SW FLOW CAN ALSO BRING WITH IT
SOME DRIER AIR /DEWPS LESS THAN 70/. STILL LOOKS GOOD TO END THE
HEAT WARNING WEDNESDAY...BUT WE MAY NEED TO EXTEND THE ADVISORY
THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING IF OVERNIGHT MINS CAN NOT GET BELOW THE
UPPER 70S AGAIN. ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT...A SFC BOUNDARY IS PEGGED TO
SLIP INTO THE MPX CWA...BEFORE WASHING OUT THURSDAY. THOUGH THE
FRONT IS FORECAST TO WASH OUT...ECWMF/GFS SIMILAR WITH KNOCKING
H85 TEMPS BACK DOWN TO AROUND +20C...WHICH WILL HELP HOLD HIGHS
DOWN IN THE UPPER 80S/LOWER 90S THU/FRI. AS FOR WHEN MORE
PRONOUNCED RELIEF FROM THE HEAT IS COMING...THE GFS/ECWMF CONTINUE
TO PUSH A COLD FRONT ACROSS THE AREA OVER THE WEEKEND AS THE SUB-
TROPICAL RIDGE SHARPENS OVER THE ROCKIES. THIS WOULD PUT THE UPPER
MS VALLEY IN NW FLOW ALOFT AND HOPEFULLY COOL THE AREA BACK DOWN
CLOSER TO NORMAL TO START NEXT WEEK.

FOR PRECIP CHANCES...THE ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN LEARNED THE PAST
COUPLE OF DAYS IS THAT THE ATMO HAS NOT CARED MUCH ABOUT H7 TEMPS
FOR GENERATING THUNDER...WITH STORMS HAVING NO PROBLEM FIRING UP
WITH H7 TEMPS BETWEEN +12C AND +15C. BASICALLY...SO LONG AS WE
HAVE BEEN WITHIN THE TROPICAL MOISTURE PLUME...STORMS HAVE
OCCURRED. TODAY AND TUESDAY...H7 TEMPS WILL REMAIN BETWEEN +12C AND
+15C...ALONG WITH THE MOIST PLUME REAMING OVHD. AS A RESULT...BOTH
DAYS SHOULD PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFTERNOON AND NIGHT TIME
STORMS. WHAT IS LOOKING DRIER IS WEDNESDAY...AS MORE SWRLY FLOW
PUMPS H7 TEMPS UP TO +16C AND HIGHER AND WATER VAPOR SIMULATIONS
FROM THE ECMWF/GFS SHOW THE MOISTURE PLUME HEADING NORTH OF THE
MPX CWA. FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY...FAVORED POPS TO WHERE THE SREF
HAS ITS SFC BOUNDARY. TODAY THE BOUNDARY WILL WANDER BACK DOWN
TOWARD THE MN RIVER...BEFORE SLOWLY LIFTING BACK NORTH THROUGH
TUESDAY NIGHT. WITH THE DEGREE OF INSTABILITY IN PLACE ALONG THE
BOUNDARY /MUCAPES GREATER THAN 6000 J/KG/...CAN NOT RULE OUT AT
LEAST SCATTERED CONVECTION ALONG THE BOUNDARY. WITH PWATS
REMAINING ABOVE 2 INCHES...BIGGEST THREATS WILL CONTINUE TO COME
FROM HEAVY DOWNPOURS AND WET MICROBURSTS.

FOR POPS THURSDAY INTO THE WEEKEND...FOLLOWED A BLEND OF THE
GEM/ECMWF...AS THEY ARE SIMILAR IN PLACEMENT OF LARGE SCALE SFC
TROUGHS/FRONTS. THERE WILL BE SMALL CHANCES FOR CONVECTION
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY...BUT BOTH BRING A MORE DEFINED FRONT THROUGH
FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY...WHEN HIGHEST POPS WERE FAVORED. OF
COURSE BIG QUESTION WILL BE HOW STRONG THE CAPPING INVERSION
IS...BUT AS HAS BEEN SEEN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS...WITH PWATS
OVER 2 INCHES AND MUCAPES OVER 6000 J/KG...THE CAP CAN USUALLY BE
BROKEN IN AT LEAST A SCATTERED NATURE.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING UNTIL 9 PM CDT WEDNESDAY FOR ANOKA-BENTON-
     BLUE EARTH-BROWN-CARVER-CHIPPEWA-CHISAGO-DAKOTA-DOUGLAS-
     FARIBAULT-FREEBORN-GOODHUE-HENNEPIN-ISANTI-KANABEC-
     KANDIYOHI-LAC QUI PARLE-LE SUEUR-MARTIN-MCLEOD-MEEKER-MILLE
     LACS-MORRISON-NICOLLET-POPE-RAMSEY-REDWOOD-RENVILLE-RICE-
     SCOTT-SHERBURNE-SIBLEY-STEARNS-STEELE-STEVENS-SWIFT-TODD-
     WASECA-WASHINGTON-WATONWAN-WRIGHT-YELLOW MEDICINE.

WI...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING UNTIL 9 PM CDT WEDNESDAY FOR BARRON-
     CHIPPEWA-DUNN-EAU CLAIRE-PEPIN-PIERCE-POLK-RUSK-ST. CROIX.

&&

RAH/MPG

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 18, 3:52 AM CST, 5 hours 8 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
452 AM CDT MON JUL 18 2011

MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028-
191000-
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-
452 AM CDT MON JUL 18 2011

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

EXCESSIVE HEAT WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE OUTLOOK AREA TODAY AND
TONIGHT. ONCE AGAIN...AFTERNOON HEAT INDICES WILL GET INTO THE 105
TO 115 RANGE...WITH LOWS OVERNIGHT ONLY FALLING INTO THE MID 70S
TO LOWER 80S. SEE THE LATEST EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING STATEMENT FOR MORE
INFORMATION.

THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE ENTIRE OUTLOOK AREA TODAY
AND TONIGHT...AS A WEAK SURFACE BOUNDARY GETS HUNG UP ACROSS THE
AREA. THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM ANY THUNDERSTORMS THAT DO OCCUR WILL
BE HEAVY DOWNPOURS WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF LOCALIZED FLOODING. A
FEW OF THE STRONGER STORMS WILL ALSO BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING BRIEF
STRONG WIND GUSTS.

AREAS OF FOG WILL BE ENCOUNTERED ACROSS PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
MINNESOTA THROUGH 9 AM. MUCH OF THE FOG WILL BE ALONG AND NORTH OF A
LINE FROM ALEXANDRIA THROUGH LITTLE FALLS TO MORA. SOME OF THE FOG
MAY BE DENSE WITH VISIBILITIES AT OR BELOW A QUARTER OF A MILE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY...MAINLY NORTH
OF INTERSTATE 94. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WOULD BE THE PRIMARY
CONCERN WITH ANY STORMS WHICH DEVELOP. CHANCES INCREASE AGAIN FOR
THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA THURSDAY SATURDAY FRIDAY AS
ANOTHER SURFACE BOUNDARY SLOWLY MOVES THROUGH.

HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE OUTLOOK AREA
THROUGH WEDNESDAY...WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES MAINLY IN THE 90S...
AND HEAT INDEX VALUES ABOVE 100 DEGREES.

SEE THE LATEST EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING STATEMENT FOR MORE
INFORMATION.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 18, 5:10 AM CST, 3 hours 50 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
610 AM CDT MON JUL 18 2011

WIZ028-181215-
EAU CLAIRE-
610 AM CDT MON JUL 18 2011

...THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN MOVING ACROSS EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
THROUGH 715 AM CDT...

AT 605 AM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE RADAR WAS TRACKING THUNDERSTORMS
WITH HEAVY RAIN OVER NORTHERN EAU CLAIRE COUNTY. THE STORMS WERE
MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...
  ALTOONA.
  BRACKETT.
  LUDINGTON.
  FOSTER.
  AUGUSTA.
  FAIRCHILD.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE AS THE THUNDERSTORMS
MOVE THROUGH. THIS MAY RESULT IN BRIEF RUNOFF PROBLEMS AND PONDING
OF WATER ON AREA ROADWAYS.

&&

LAT...LON 4460 9093 4460 9162 4485 9164 4485 9094
TIME...MOT...LOC 1107Z 311DEG 19KT 4479 9146

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

42 excessive heat. Local standard time, as filed.

Excessive Heat, Faribault

When: July 18, 9:00 AM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Faribault forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 43.674, -93.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources from surface observations, to local officials, media and health organizations indicated that the combination of heat and humidity, from a large dome of high pressure, allowed for excessive heat to cause significant problems for several days. Local observations around the county indicated heat index values rose above 105 degrees Monday, July 18th, and continued through Wednesday July 20th. Overnight heat index values averaged around 80 degrees with the highest heat index of 130 degrees Monday afternoon, July 18th. (130 degrees is based on a MNDOT weather sensor at Blue Earth, Mn).

Excessive Heat, Martin

When: July 18, 9:00 AM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Martin forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 43.674, -94.551 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Redwood

When: July 18, 9:00 AM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Redwood forecast zone
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.404, -95.254 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources from surface observations, to local officials, media and health organizations indicated that the combination of heat and humidity, from a large dome of high pressure, allowed for excessive heat to cause significant problems for several days. Local observations around the county indicated heat index values rose above 105 degrees Monday, July 18th, and continued through Wednesday July 20th. Overnight heat index values averaged around 80 degrees with the highest heat index of 119 degrees Monday afternoon, July 18th. In addition, the heat affected turkeys in southwest Minnesota, where 50,000 turkeys died due to heat related causes in Redwood Falls alone.

Excessive Heat, Renville

When: July 18, 9:00 AM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Renville forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.727, -94.947 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Watonwan

When: July 18, 9:00 AM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Watonwan forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 43.978, -94.614 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Anoka

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Anoka forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.273, -93.246 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Benton

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Benton forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.699, -93.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Blue Earth

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.035, -94.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Brown

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Brown forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.242, -94.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Carver

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Carver forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.821, -93.803 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources from surface observations, to local officials, media and health organizations indicated that the combination of heat and humidity, from a large dome of high pressure, allowed for excessive heat to cause significant problems for several days. Local observations around the county indicated heat index values rose above 105 degrees Monday, July 18th, and continued through Wednesday July 20th. Overnight heat index values averaged around 80 degrees with the highest heat index of 135 degrees Tuesday afternoon, July 19th. (135 degrees is based on Jordan RAWS Observation 1500 CDT July 19th).

Excessive Heat, Chippewa

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Chippewa forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.022, -95.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Chisago

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Chisago forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.503, -92.908 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Dakota

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Dakota forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.672, -93.065 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Douglas

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Douglas forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.934, -95.453 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Freeborn

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Freeborn forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 43.674, -93.349 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Goodhue

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Goodhue forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.410, -92.723 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Hennepin

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Hennepin forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.005, -93.477 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Isanti

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Isanti forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.562, -93.295 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Kanabec

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Kanabec forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.945, -93.293 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources from surface observations, to local officials, media and health organizations indicated that the combination of heat and humidity, from a large dome of high pressure, allowed for excessive heat to cause significant problems for several days. Local observations around the county indicated heat index values rose above 105 degrees Monday, July 18th, and continued through Wednesday July 20th. Overnight heat index values averaged around 75 degrees with the highest heat index of 110 degrees Tuesday afternoon, July 19th.

Excessive Heat, Kandiyohi

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.152, -95.005 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Lac Qui Parle

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.996, -96.173 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources from surface observations, to local officials, media and health organizations indicated that the combination of heat and humidity, from a large dome of high pressure, allowed for excessive heat to cause significant problems for several days. Local observations around the county indicated heat index values rose above 105 degrees Monday, July 18th, and continued through early Wednesday July 20th. Overnight heat index values averaged around 80 degrees with the highest heat index of 124 degrees Tuesday afternoon, July 19th.

Excessive Heat, Le Sueur

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Le Sueur forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.371, -93.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, McLeod

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: McLeod forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.824, -94.272 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Meeker

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Meeker forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.123, -94.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Mille Lacs

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Mille Lacs forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.938, -93.630 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Nicollet

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Nicollet forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.350, -94.247 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Pope

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 19, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Pope forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.586, -95.444 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Ramsey

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Ramsey forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.017, -93.100 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Rice

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Rice forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.354, -93.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Scott

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Scott forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.649, -93.536 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Sherburne

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Sherburne forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.444, -93.775 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Sibley

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Sibley forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.580, -94.232 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Stearns

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Stearns forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.552, -94.613 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Steele

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Steele forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.022, -93.226 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Stevens

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Stevens forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.586, -96.000 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources from surface observations, to local officials, media and health organizations indicated that the combination of heat and humidity, from a large dome of high pressure, allowed for excessive heat to cause significant problems for several days. Local observations around the county indicated heat index values rose above 105 degrees Monday, July 18th, and continued through early Wednesday July 20th. Overnight heat index values averaged around 80 degrees with the highest heat index of 110 degrees Tuesday afternoon, July 19th.

Excessive Heat, Swift

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Swift forecast zone
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.283, -95.681 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources from surface observations, to local officials, media and health organizations indicated that the combination of heat and humidity, from a large dome of high pressure, allowed for excessive heat to cause significant problems for several days. Local observations around the county indicated heat index values rose above 105 degrees Monday, July 18th, and continued through Wednesday July 20th. Overnight heat index values averaged around 80 degrees with the highest heat index of 117 degrees Tuesday afternoon, July 19th. A 66 year old man in Benson collapsed when mowing his lawn, and later died at the local hospital.

Excessive Heat, Waseca

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Waseca forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.022, -93.587 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Washington

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.039, -92.884 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Wright

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Wright forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 45.174, -93.963 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Yellow Medicine

When: July 18, 12:00 PM CST to July 20, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Yellow Medicine forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 44.716, -95.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources from surface observations, to local officials, media and health organizations indicated that the combination of heat and humidity, from a large dome of high pressure, allowed for excessive heat to cause significant problems for several days. Local observations around the county indicated heat index values rose above 105 degrees Monday, July 18th, and continued through early Wednesday July 20th. Overnight heat index values averaged around 80 degrees with the highest heat index of 120 degrees Tuesday afternoon, July 19th.

Excessive Heat, Morrison

When: July 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Morrison forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 46.013, -94.268 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Todd

When: July 19, 12:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Todd forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 46.071, -94.898 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Excessive Heat, Swift	2011-07-20	66	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Direct

What these are

Excessive Heat: Heat at or above the local excessive heat warning criteria, or heat that caused deaths.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Minnesota in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history Warnings in Minnesota, July 2011

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: 335982, 335991, 335999, 336000, 336012, 335973, 335974, 335975, 335976, 335977, 335978, 335979, 335980, 335981, 335983, 335984, 335985, 335986, 335987, 335988, 335989, 335990, 335992, 335993, 335994, 335996, 335997, 335998, 336001, 336002, 336003, 336004, 336005, 336006, 336007, 336008, 336010, 336011, 336013, 336014, and more.