Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, June 29, 2018

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Minnesota, June 29, 2018
Start: 2018-06-29T03:15
End: 2018-06-29T05:18
Location: Minnesota

June 29, 2018 · NWS FGF · 35 events in 7 counties and zones

The early morning hours of Friday, June 29th, remained warm and muggy. Just after midnight, temperatures were still in the 70s with dew points around 70.

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: 0
Property damage: $6.5 million
Crop damage: $500,000
Events: 35

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 FGF wrote it up.

The early morning hours of Friday, June 29th, remained warm and muggy. Just after midnight, temperatures were still in the 70s with dew points around 70. A line of thunderstorms moved into the Devils Lake area around 2 am CDT. This line of storms had several bowing segments, which are indicative of strong winds. The most obvious bowing segment between highway 2 and Interstate 94, where the most amount of damage occurred. The main bowing segment exited into north central Minnesota around 6 am CDT. Well behind the bowing thunderstorm complex, a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) formed, and produced another round of widespread damaging winds.

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 Jun 29, 2:24 AM CST, 51 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 29, 2:24 AM CST, 51 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
324 AM CDT Fri Jun 29 2018

.SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 324 AM CDT Fri Jun 29 2018

Convection timing and strength will be the main issues for the
period.

Ongoing MCS entering our western counties will continue to push
eastward early this morning. Southeasterly winds have been feeding
rich moisture with MU CAPE around 3000 J/kg into the complex.
Effective deep layer bulk shear is in the 50-70 kt range. The
complex has a history of producing 80 mph or greater winds, and
there have been indications of some brief QLCS circulations. Bulk
shear from 0-3km is out of the southwest, so any part of the line that
starts bulging north or northeast will be prime for producing a
brief spin up. Will also have to watch for enhanced convective
activity along the warm front, which is stretched across the
northern counties. See little reason for the thunderstorm complex
to fizzle like the RAP shows, and think we will continue to have
severe potential as it crosses the CWA. HRRR is doing a decent job
depicting the line, but is too slow. The storms will continue to
impact the western counties for the next hour or so, and will be
nearing the Red River around 10Z or so, pushing off out of our MN
counties a couple hours later. Tried to time the complex as it
moves through, but will make some further adjustments to timing as
it comes through.

The main shortwave generating this thunderstorm complex will
quickly lift off to north of the Great Lakes by this afternoon.
Our region will remain under southwesterly flow aloft. There is
the possibility of another weak shortwave moving through and
providing some upper support for storms to redevelop. The warm
front will be lifting north towards the Canadian border this
morning, and a cold front will be entering the west by afternoon
as the surface low moves into the Red River Valley. Highs will be
near 90 in the southern counties, with low to mid 70s in the
northwest behind the cold front. CAM models only have some weak
showers and are not very impressive for redevelopment this
afternoon. Will keep some broadbrushed 20-40 POPs, and refine
later as we see how this morning convection plays out.

Southwesterly flow aloft will continue into tonight, with the cold
front pushing the rest of the way through and the surface low
entering the MN arrowhead. Most of the models have some scattered
post frontal precip, so kept our low POPs going for much of the
area. Winds will keep us mixed and there will be plenty of
lingering clouds, so have lows mainly in the 60s.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday)
Issued at 324 AM CDT Fri Jun 29 2018

Unsettled weather will continue through most of the long term.
Temperatures will be a bit cooler with highs near or below the 80
mark behind the cold front over the weekend. Weak shortwaves will
be embedded in the broad trough across the region, although timing
and placement is pretty uncertain so will keep fairly low POPs
that the blend gives us. The upper flow briefly becomes more zonal
at the beginning of the work week, but then shifts back to the
southwest. The GFS and ECMWF both have good signal for some sort
of precipitation event Tuesday into Tuesday night. Upper ridging
builds in strongly for mid-week, with Independence Day and the
day afternoon looking pretty hot and some ridge riding
thunderstorms not out of the question, especially in the north.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night)
Issued at 1155 PM CDT Thu Jun 28 2018

Line of thunderstorms will sweep through the area tonight...likely
dropping cigs and vis to MVFR or IFR levels. Should be reaching
DVL by 8Z and BJI by 12Z. Strong winds are likely with this
line...and will update TAFs to increase winds even more if
upstream obs warrant it.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...None.
MN...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...JR
LONG TERM...JR
AVIATION...Knutsvig

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 29, 2:35 AM CST, 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
335 AM CDT FRI JUN 29 2018

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

0321 AM     TSTM WND GST     4 NW COOPERSTOWN        47.49N 98.18W
06/29/2018  M96 MPH          Griggs             ND   PUBLIC

            PERSONAL DAVIS WEATHER STATION REPORTED 96 MPH WIND GUST.

&&

AMOORE

Local storm report, Jun 29, 2:38 AM CST, 37 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
338 AM CDT FRI JUN 29 2018

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

0329 AM     TSTM WND GST     8 SW FINLEY             47.43N 97.96W
06/29/2018  M57 MPH          Steele             ND   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC PERSONAL WEATHER UNDERGROUND STATION REPORTED WIND
            GUST OF 57 MPH.

&&

AMOORE

Local storm report, Jun 29, 2:46 AM CST, 29 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
346 AM CDT FRI JUN 29 2018

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

0343 AM     TSTM WND GST     7 SE FINLEY             46.69N 97.69W
06/29/2018  M63 MPH          Barnes             ND   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC PERSONAL WEATHER UNDERGROUND STATION REPORTED WIND
            GUST OF 63 MPH.

&&

AMOORE

Local storm report, Jun 29, 3:03 AM CST, 12 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
403 AM CDT FRI JUN 29 2018

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

0358 AM     TSTM WND GST     5 WNW LARIMORE          47.94N 97.73W
06/29/2018  M70 MPH          Grand Forks        ND   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC PERSONAL WEATHER UNDERGROUND STATION REPORTED WIND
            GUST OF 70 MPH.

&&

AMOORE

Local storm report, Jun 29, 3:08 AM CST, 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
408 AM CDT FRI JUN 29 2018

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

0346 AM     TSTM WND GST     4 W FINGAL              46.76N 97.88W
06/29/2018  M56 MPH          Barnes             ND   MESONET

            NDAWN MESONET MEASURED 56 MPH WIND GUST.

&&

AMOORE

Local storm report, Jun 29, 3:13 AM CST, 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
413 AM CDT FRI JUN 29 2018

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

0407 AM     TSTM WND GST     8 N MCHENRY             47.69N 98.59W
06/29/2018  M58 MPH          Eddy               ND   MESONET

            NDAWN MESONET SITE MEASURED 58 MPH WIND GUST.

&&

AMOORE

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 51 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:12 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

30 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado, 1 lightning, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Lightning, Polk

When: June 29, 3:15 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 0.69 mi N of East Grand Forks
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 47.940, -97.020

Lightning struck a tree, knocking down several branches.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: June 29, 3:20 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 1.66 mi SE of Freeman
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.800, -96.760

Large tree branches were blown down in most farmsteads and shelterbelts across eastern Fisher and western Lowell townships.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: June 29, 3:21 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 5.07 mi ENE of East Grand Forks
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.960, -96.920

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norman

When: June 29, 3:25 AM CST
Where: Norman County, 0.84 mi SE of Hendrum
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.260, -96.810

Several trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: June 29, 3:26 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 0.93 mi W of Key West
Measured: 83 kt (96 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 47.930, -96.800

A power pole was cracked.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norman

When: June 29, 3:27 AM CST
Where: Norman County, 3.88 mi ENE of Hendrum
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 47.300, -96.750

The wind gust was measured by a MNDOT RWIS sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: June 29, 3:31 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 0.83 mi SE of Crookston
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 47.770, -96.610

Several large trees and a fence were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: June 29, 3:38 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 2.76 mi S of Gentilly
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.760, -96.450

Metal roofing was torn off a hay shed. Large branches were also blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: June 29, 3:41 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 1.67 mi NW of Fertile Arpt
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.570, -96.320

Numerous large trees were snapped in shelterbelts and groves in southeast Onstad and western Garfield townships.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: June 29, 3:45 AM CST
Where: Clay County, Sabin
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.780, -96.650

Many large trees were blown down with roof damage reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pennington

When: June 29, 3:45 AM CST
Where: Pennington County, 1.97 mi WNW of (Tvf)thief Rvr Falls
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 48.080, -96.220

Trees and branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: June 29, 3:47 AM CST
Where: Clay County, Sabin
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.780, -96.650

Large trees were blown down and the power was out for several hours.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: June 29, 3:47 AM CST
Where: Clay County, Moorhead Arpt
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 46.850, -96.680

A UPS trailer was overturned on Interstate 94.

Tornado, Norman

When: June 29, 3:48 AM CST to 3:50 AM CST
Where: Norman County, 0.47 mi E of Twin Vly to 1.5 mi NE of Twin Vly
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.21 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 47.270, -96.260

This tornado was likely wrapped in downburst winds and heavy rain. Large trees were broken down and flung in various directions, but mainly to the northeast and east. Metal roofing was torn off a shed. Peak winds were estimated at 90 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norman

When: June 29, 3:49 AM CST
Where: Norman County, 2.07 mi N of Ranum
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 47.500, -96.130

Siding was ripped off a church and many large tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norman

When: June 29, 3:50 AM CST
Where: Norman County, 0.84 mi SE of Twin Vly
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 47.260, -96.260

Two large trees were uprooted.

Tornado, Polk

When: June 29, 3:54 AM CST to 4:09 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 2.32 mi NW of Winger to 2 mi ESE of Fosston
Rating: EF2
Path length: 15.38 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $6.5 million
Crop damage: $500,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.550, -96.020

This tornado was likely wrapped in downburst winds and heavy rain for most of its path. It tracked nearly due east at about 60 mph, for at least 15 miles. It tore down trees in shelterbelts and tore roofing off of a couple of homes and farm buildings. It tore down 11 miles, or more than 50 high voltage towers, and snapped wooden power poles at cross roads along its path. Peak winds were estimated at 120 mph.

Tornado, Polk

When: June 29, 3:56 AM CST to 3:59 AM CST
Where: Polk County, 2.27 mi SSE of Erskine to 1.4 mi NW of Mc Intosh
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.5 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.640, -96.000

This tornado, which was partially wrapped in downburst winds and heavy rain, snapped various trees at a farmstead. After crossing highway 2 roughly two miles east-southeast of the highway 59 intersection, it blew in a large west facing overhead door on a shop and blew out the back wall. Peak winds were estimated at 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: June 29, 3:59 AM CST
Where: Clay County, 1.89 mi E of Stockwood
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 46.870, -96.460

A large tree branch was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Red Lake

When: June 29, 4:05 AM CST
Where: Red Lake County, 3.45 mi S of Brooks
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 47.770, -96.000

The wind gust was measured by a MNDOT RWIS sensor.

Hail, Red Lake

When: June 29, 4:08 AM CST
Where: Red Lake County, 4.26 mi NE of Oklee
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 47.870, -95.800

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: June 29, 4:10 AM CST
Where: Polk County, Fasston
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.580, -95.750

Tree and fence damage was reported in town. The power was knocked out before the storm hit town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearwater

When: June 29, 4:20 AM CST
Where: Clearwater County, 2.07 mi N of Bagley
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 47.550, -95.400

A four wheel utility wagon was flipped over by the strong wind.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearwater

When: June 29, 4:25 AM CST
Where: Clearwater County, 7.99 mi W of Zerkel
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.330, -95.550

A few large tree branches were blown down at a campground.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearwater

When: June 29, 4:29 AM CST
Where: Clearwater County, 1.46 mi SSE of Gonvick
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.710, -95.490

Tree damage was reported at a farmstead. A wind sensor measured 55 mph winds before a power outage knocked it out.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearwater

When: June 29, 4:30 AM CST
Where: Clearwater County, 0.83 mi NW of Gonvick
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 47.740, -95.510

Trees were snapped and uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: June 29, 4:40 AM CST
Where: Beltrami County, 3.49 mi N of Scribner
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 47.580, -95.030

Numerous trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: June 29, 4:42 AM CST
Where: Beltrami County, 3.45 mi N of Birchmont
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.600, -94.880

Several trees were blown down, some falling on a house and a driveway. The power was also knocked out.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearwater

When: June 29, 4:45 AM CST
Where: Clearwater County, 3.49 mi S of Lake Itasca
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 47.200, -95.210

Tree damage was reported at Lake Itasca State Park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: June 29, 4:48 AM CST
Where: Beltrami County, 0.83 mi NE of Redlake
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.880, -95.020

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: June 29, 4:50 AM CST
Where: Beltrami County, 0.69 mi N of North Pole
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 47.530, -94.880

Boxes and furniture were blown off a deck. The observer also measured 2.01 inches of rain.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: June 29, 4:54 AM CST
Where: Beltrami County, 4.69 mi W of Shooks
Measured: 75 kt (86 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 47.860, -94.550

Dozens of trees were blown down across highway 72 in several locations between Kelliher and Blackduck. Powerlines were also knocked down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: June 29, 4:58 AM CST
Where: Beltrami County, 1.38 mi N of Kelliher
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 47.950, -94.450

Aircraft were overturned at the Kelliher airport. Some of the aircraft were pushed onto highway 72.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: June 29, 5:00 AM CST
Where: Beltrami County, 1.38 mi S of Kelliher
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 47.910, -94.450

Extensive tree damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beltrami

When: June 29, 5:18 AM CST
Where: Beltrami County, Blackduck
Measured: 75 kt (86 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.730, -94.550

Multiple trees were blown down between Blackduck and Kelliher.

What these are

Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
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.
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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Minnesota in 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Minnesota, 2018 Warnings in Minnesota, June 2018

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: 759103, 759105, 759106, 759107, 759108, 759109, 759114, 759111, 759112, 759113, 759116, 759117, 759118, 759119, 759120, 759122, 759125, 759923, 759924, 759925, 759926, 759927, 759928, 759929, 759930, 759931, 759932, 759933, 759934, 759935, 759936, 759937, 759939, 759940, 759941.