Storms developed ahead of a cold front moving across the region. A few of the stronger storms produced hail and damaging wind gusts.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS DLH wrote it up.
Storms developed ahead of a cold front moving across the region. A few of the stronger storms produced hail and damaging wind gusts.
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 Duluth, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 8, 2:06 PM CST, 3 hours 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Duluth MN 306 PM CDT Wed Aug 8 2018 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday) Issued at 306 PM CDT Wed Aug 8 2018 As of 3 pm, it was a warm and breezy afternoon across the Northland with some high clouds over western Lake Superior. Otherwise, much of the Northland had mostly sunny skies. A cold front was working its way south across north- central Minnesota and northwest Ontario. This front is expected to develop isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms from the Minnesota Iron Range into the Arrowhead late this afternoon. There will be increasing coverage of storms as the front moves south into western Lake Superior and northern Wisconsin. The mesoscale, higher resolution models are relatively good agreement with the development and timing of these storms. Some of the storms could be strong considering an environment of up to 2500 J/kg of MUCAPE and 30 to 35 knots of 0 to 6 km deep layer wind shear. Much of this wind shear is speed shear, so not thinking there will be very strong updrafts to produce large hail, and that the primary concerns for storms are for strong wind gusts up to 40 mph. However, small hail of less than one inch in diameter is possible. Clustering of the storms as they move into northern Wisconsin could increase the wind threat because of reinforcement of the cold front from the cold pool generated by the storms. Smoke has made its way into the Northland from distant wildfires, and an Air Quality Alert was issued for north-central Minnesota in coordination with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This Alert is in effect through Thursday morning. Clear skies and nearly calm winds will develop tonight as high pressure moves into the region, so overnight subsistence will contribute to concentrating some of this smoke close the surface. Thursday looks sunny with light northerly winds, and mixing will help lift and disperse the smoke by late Thursday morning. Expect high temperatures in the low 80s, but cooler along the Minnesota North Shore because of a light lake breeze. Some models, like the NAM, SREF, Canadian, and WRFs are indicating the potential for showers and storms along the lake breeze in the higher terrain of the North Shore Thursday afternoon. .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Wednesday) Issued at 306 PM CDT Wed Aug 8 2018 A large upper level ridge over the western CONUS will translate eastward and keep the region dry and warm for most of the period. With drier air filtering in and clear skies, temperatures will warm well above climb into the 80s from Friday through Monday. On Monday night into Tuesday, a cold front moves through the area bringing a slight chance for thunderstorms. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday afternoon) Issued at 1241 PM CDT Wed Aug 8 2018 The Northland will have gusty winds this afternoon as a cold front moves into the region from the northwest. This front will likely trigger showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, beginning from the Minnesota Iron Range into the Arrowhead, and with increasing coverage of storms as the front moves south into Lake Superior and northern Wisconsin late today and this evening. Some of the these storms could be strong and capable of small hail and gusty winds to 30 to 40 mph. Otherwise, unless any airport gets brief reductions in visibility from the rain with passing thunderstorms, VFR should continue through this evening. There is a low chance of fog late tonight, including at KHYR, but not confident enough yet to bring down visibility in the forecasts. Thursday morning looks clear with light northerly winds. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DLH 61 83 59 84 / 30 20 0 0 INL 56 83 56 86 / 0 0 0 0 BRD 62 83 60 85 / 0 10 0 0 HYR 59 83 56 83 / 50 10 0 10 ASX 61 82 58 84 / 60 0 0 0 && .DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. LS...None. && SHORT TERM...Grochocinski LONG TERM...KC AVIATION...Grochocinski
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Duluth MN 244 PM CDT Wed Aug 8 2018 MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-091200- Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook/Northern Lake- North Itasca-Central St. Louis-Southern Lake/North Shore- Southern Cook/North Shore-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass- Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-Carlton/South St. Louis- Pine-Douglas-Bayfield-Ashland-Iron-Burnett-Washburn-Sawyer-Price- 244 PM CDT Wed Aug 8 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will develop along a cold front late this afternoon and this evening as the front moves south through the Minnesota Arrowhead and Iron Range into western Lake Superior and northern Wisconsin. Some storms could be strong with small hail and strong wind gusts of up to 40 mph. Smoke from far away wildfires will significantly affect air quality across portions of north-central Minnesota through Thursday morning. An Air Quality Alert is in effect, and was issued in coordination with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday There is a low chance of thunderstorms along the higher terrain of the Minnesota North Shore Thursday afternoon where a lake breeze will set up. There is another opportunity for thunderstorms Monday night into Tuesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn Spotters are encouraged to report any hail and gusty winds with potential thunderstorms late this afternoon and this evening. LSZ121-140>148-091200- Bayfield to Oak Point WI-Grand Portage to Grand Marais MN- Grand Marais to Taconite Harbor MN- Taconite Harbor to Silver Bay Harbor MN- Silver Bay Harbor to Two Harbors MN-Two Harbors to Duluth MN- Duluth MN to Port Wing WI-Port Wing to Sand Island WI- Sand Island to Bayfield WI-Oak Point to Saxon Harbor WI- 244 PM CDT Wed Aug 8 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Nearshore waters of western Lake Superior. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will develop along a cold front late this afternoon and this evening as the front moves south through the Minnesota Arrowhead and Iron Range into western Lake Superior and northern Wisconsin. Some storms could be strong with small hail and strong wind gusts of up to 40 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday There is a small chance of thunderstorms from Monday afternoon into Monday night. G2/Huyck/KC More information may be obtained at the following web address: http://www.weather.gov/duluth (all lower case)
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
550 PM CDT WED AUG 8 2018
MNZ020-082300-
Southern Lake/North Shore-
550 PM CDT WED AUG 8 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN LAKE COUNTY...
At 550 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was 7 miles northwest of
Larsmont, or 21 miles northeast of Duluth, moving southeast at 20
mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph and dime-size hail can be expected with this
storm.
This storm will be near...
Two Harbors, Larsmont and Knife River around 600 PM CDT.
Seek shelter inside a sturdy building and away from windows until
this storm passes. Get off area lakes and seek shelter on shore in a
sturdy shelter or a hard-topped vehicle.
This storm may intensify, please monitor local media outlets for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.
LAT...LON 4699 9162 4698 9167 4692 9174 4688 9184
4688 9185 4691 9187 4693 9184 4693 9181
4697 9190 4698 9194 4702 9197 4710 9186
4706 9156
TIME...MOT...LOC 2250Z 301DEG 18KT 4704 9188
JTSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
610 PM CDT WED AUG 8 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0610 PM HAIL FRENCH RIVER 46.90N 91.90W
08/08/2018 M0.25 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC
&&
WLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
612 PM CDT WED AUG 8 2018
WIZ001-002-090000-
Douglas-Bayfield-
612 PM CDT WED AUG 8 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT BAYFIELD AND
NORTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES...
At 611 PM CDT, strong thunderstorms were along a line extending from
near Bayfield Peninsula Sea Caves, to near Wisconsin Point, and
moving southeast at 30 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph, half-inch hail, heavy downpours, and
occasional cloud to ground lightning can be expected with these
storms.
These storms will be near...
Bayfield Peninsula Sea Caves, Sand Island and Cornucopia around
615 PM CDT.
Sand Bay around 625 PM CDT.
Bayfield and Red Cliff around 635 PM CDT.
Lake Nebagamon, Oulu and Madeline Island around 645 PM CDT.
Brule around 650 PM CDT.
Iron River and Barnes around 700 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Cloverland,
Wentworth, Amnicon Falls State Park, Blueberry, Waino, Mouth Of
Brule, Moquah, Red Cliff Reservation, Apostle Islands National Lake
Shore, and Bad River Reservation.
Seek shelter inside a sturdy building and away from windows until
these storms pass. Get off area lakes and seek shelter on shore in a
sturdy shelter or a hard-topped vehicle.
LAT...LON 4673 9072 4663 9056 4662 9062 4667 9075
4658 9093 4653 9093 4636 9151 4670 9207
4673 9180 4683 9140 4692 9121 4692 9109
4701 9101 4687 9063 4678 9079 4675 9079
4679 9066 4681 9069 4684 9062 4683 9053
TIME...MOT...LOC 2311Z 304DEG 28KT 4695 9103 4670 9190
JTSSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Duluth MN 619 PM CDT WED AUG 8 2018 MNZ037-WIZ001-082345- Carlton/South St. Louis-Douglas- 619 PM CDT WED AUG 8 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN ST. LOUIS... NORTHEASTERN CARLTON AND NORTHWESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES... At 619 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Proctor, or 8 miles east of Cloquet, moving southeast at 25 mph. Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half-inch hail can be expected with this storm. This storm will be near... Proctor around 625 PM CDT. Superior and Oliver around 640 PM CDT. Wisconsin Point and South Range around 645 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this storm include Cody, Park Point, Billings Park, Gary New Duluth, Munger, Morgan Park, Spirit Valley, Fond Du Lac, Jay Cooke State Park, and Norton Park. Seek shelter inside a sturdy building and away from windows until this storm passes. Get off area lakes and seek shelter on shore in a sturdy shelter or a hard-topped vehicle. This storm may intensify, please monitor local media outlets for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. LAT...LON 4668 9247 4683 9233 4669 9188 4646 9209 TIME...MOT...LOC 2319Z 302DEG 20KT 4672 9231 JTS
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
626 PM CDT WED AUG 8 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0624 PM HEAVY RAIN 1 NW TWO HARBORS 47.04N 91.69W
08/08/2018 M2.25 INCH LAKE MN TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
WLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
635 PM CDT WED AUG 8 2018
WIZ001-002-090000-
Douglas-Bayfield-
635 PM CDT WED AUG 8 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL BAYFIELD AND
NORTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES...
At 635 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was 8 miles northwest of Oulu,
or 20 miles east of Superior, moving southeast at 40 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph, penny-size hail, heavy downpours, and
occasional cloud to ground lightning can be expected with this storm.
This storm will be near...
Maple around 645 PM CDT.
Oulu around 650 PM CDT.
Brule around 655 PM CDT.
Iron River and Barnes around 700 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Mouth Of Brule,
Cloverland, Blueberry, and Waino.
Seek shelter inside a sturdy building and away from windows until
this storm passes. Get off area lakes and seek shelter on shore in a
sturdy shelter or a hard-topped vehicle.
This storm may intensify, please monitor local media outlets for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.
LAT...LON 4634 9146 4670 9184 4674 9177 4679 9159
4652 9116
TIME...MOT...LOC 2335Z 318DEG 33KT 4671 9167
JTSThe Duluth radar (KDLH), 63 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:38 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down along Highway 13 in Port Wing.
Ferguson Road was blocked by a fallen tree near the intersection of County Road A.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, August 2018
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: 778964, 778965.