Storms developed ahead of a cold front moving across northern Minnesota on the afternoon of the 26th. These storms contained large hail and damaging wind gusts as they moved across the Minnesota Arrowhead.
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 northern Minnesota on the afternoon of the 26th. These storms contained large hail and damaging wind gusts as they moved across the Minnesota Arrowhead. The storms remained severe as they moved over western Lake Superior and across the Bayfield Peninsula of northwestern Wisconsin where hail to tennis ball-size was reported along with downed trees.
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 Jul 26, 5:49 PM CST, 2 hours 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Duluth MN 649 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday night) Issued at 201 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019 A threat for isolated strong to severe storms across parts of northeast Minnesota, northwest Wisconsin, and Lake Superior this afternoon into the early evening as a cold front approaches from the west. Once this cold front moves through, though, a broad area of high pressure builds in leading to sunny skies and mild temperatures for Saturday. On the synoptic scale a mid-level shortwave trough will move across the northern MN/Ontario border from west to east leading to falling heights and strong broad-scale lift, especially across northeast Minnesota east of US-53. Stronger mid-level winds will lead to deep layer shear on the order of around 40-45 knots, with 0-3 km shear as strong as 30-40 knots. While directional shear will be limited given the mature to weakening nature of the trough, there could still be limited low level helicity (around 200 m2/s2 0-3km SRH) to at least support rotating supercells with the possibility for tornadoes to develop given the surface-based storms anticipated to develop. While there was a broad area of low level stratus when the morning storms cleared out today, diurnal heating has been slowly helping to burn off this stratus, causing a weak boundary due to differential heating from Grand Rapids to Ely. The actual surface cold front boundary is further to the northwest in the far northwest corner of Minnesota early this afternoon where dew points are below 60 degrees and surface winds are oriented more west to northwest. Surface heating combined with with low level moisture in place should lead to around 1000-1500 j/kg surface-based CAPE developing in northeast Minnesota by late afternoon, with sufficient surface heating to overcome the convective inhibition in place early this afternoon. A few storms will develop and gradually grow upscale along and ahead of the cold front, with sufficient deep layer shear for storms to at least initially remain discrete. The greatest chance for severe weather is across the MN Arrowhead where height falls and deep layer shear will be greatest, while to the south (i.e. south of Highway 2) storms may also develop where there will be greater instability (2000-2500 j/kg MLCAPE) but not as strong broad-scale lift. Freezing levels will be much lower closer to the international border, so there may be a marginally higher risk for large hail across the MN Arrowhead, but in general all severe weather threats will be possible along and east of the cold front late afternoon into this evening. Storms will be moving quickly, with the area of storms moving at 35 to 40 knots, though right movers will move slightly slower around 25 to 30 knots. The risk for severe weather will also extend over western Lake Superior given the seasonably warm lake temps and the fact that storms will be moving across the lake right around peak heating time. Storm coverage is expected to remain isolated to scattered, with a few dominant cells producing most of the precipitation with possible some trailing showers on the back end. Storms will quickly end from west to east this evening as the drier air moves in from the west, exiting most of northeast Minnesota by around 10pm and out of northwest Wisconsin around midnight. Some patchy fog possible late tonight, otherwise clearing skies with lows in the mid 50s to low 60s. Mainly sunny Saturday with a weak west wind around 5 to 10 mph and highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. Clear Saturday night with lows in the 50s, perhaps as cool as the upper 40s in some of the usual cool spots in northeast Minnesota. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 201 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019 A fairly robust upper/mid level trof will be moving into the forecast area Sunday afternoon. Plenty of moisture will ride into the area ahead of the trof, and with enough lift, will generate some showers and storms from west to east through the day. Thermodynamic profiles suggest a general thunder threat with no severe at this time. This may change as we get closer in time. The storms will diminish Sunday night as the trof departs and cooler air advects in behind it. Some additional showers and storms are on tap for Monday along the Borderland into the Arrowhead as another trof affects this area. Moisture is sparse with this next trof to work with, but enough to warrant a low pop mention. A dry pattern sets up for Monday night through Wednesday as upper level/surface ridging are in charge. Small chances of showers and storms are possible late Wednesday night and Thursday as the ridging begins to flatten allowing for the next upper trof/area of low pressure at affect the region. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening) Issued at 649 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019 A cold front was moving through northern Minnesota this evening toward northwest Wisconsin. Strong to severe thunderstorms were occurring ahead of the front with a few showers and an isolated thunderstorm possible over far northern Minnesota behind the front. A period of strong winds and heavy rain leading to IFR conditions will be possible with the stronger storms. Most of the storms will exit eastern portions of the Northland late this evening with mostly VFR conditions then expected. There may patchy fog though overnight in spots. Gusty southerly winds will veer to westerly behind the front. && .MARINE... Issued at 201 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019 Some strong, to possibly severe, storms will affect the nearshore waters this afternoon and evening, ahead of an approaching cold front. Quiet weather after the front passes. Winds will be less than 12 knots and waves less than 2 feet through the forecast, but could be a bit higher in the vicinity of the thunderstorms. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DLH 61 79 60 81 / 50 0 0 50 INL 56 78 55 82 / 40 0 0 30 BRD 61 82 60 80 / 10 0 10 60 HYR 60 81 57 84 / 40 0 0 50 ASX 63 80 59 85 / 40 0 0 40 && .DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. LS...None. && SHORT TERM...JJM LONG TERM...GSF AVIATION...Melde MARINE...GSF
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Duluth MN 202 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019 MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-271915- 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- 202 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight Scattered thunderstorms will develop this afternoon across northeast Minnesota and track east across western Lake Superior and northwest Wisconsin. Storms will be strong to severe, capable of large hail and damaging wind gusts. Tornadoes are also possible. The greatest severe weather risk is across the Minnesota Arrowhead, but all parts of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin have a chance to see severe storms today into this evening. Storms will exit from west to east towards midnight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Thunderstorms are possible Sunday afternoon through Sunday night. Severe storms are not expected. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotters may be needed this afternoon into early evening. LSZ121-140>148-271915- 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- 202 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Nearshore waters of western Lake Superior. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight Scattered thunderstorms, some strong to near severe, are possible this afternoon and tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. JJM/GSF 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
803 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019
MNZ037-WIZ001-270115-
Carlton/South St. Louis-Douglas-
803 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN ST. LOUIS AND
NORTHEASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTIES...
At 803 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Duluth, moving east at
10 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph, penny size hail, and frequent cloud to
ground lightning can be expected with this storm.
This storm will be near...
Superior and City of Rice Lake around 815 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Cody, Park Point,
Cloverland, Wild Rice Lake, Congdon Park, Lakeside-Lester Park,
Central Hillside, Chester Park, Kenwood and Piedmont Heights.
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 4676 9222 4694 9222 4691 9176 4687 9186
4681 9197 4678 9203 4673 9198 4672 9194
4673 9180 4679 9162 4663 9165
TIME...MOT...LOC 0103Z 275DEG 11KT 4683 9216
MoorePRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
808 PM CDT FRI JUL 26 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 PM HAIL 2 E HERMANTOWN 46.81N 92.19W
07/26/2019 E0.50 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC
&&
KCPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
809 PM CDT FRI JUL 26 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0801 PM HAIL 3 SW LESTER PARK 46.82N 92.08W
07/26/2019 E0.25 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC
&&
KCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
829 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019
WIZ002-003-270145-
Bayfield-Ashland-
829 PM CDT Fri Jul 26 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT THE APOSTLE ISLANDS
NATIONAL LAKESHORE...
At 829 PM CDT, strong thunderstorms were along a line extending from
26 miles northeast of Sand Bay, to near Sand Island, and moving east
at 55 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph, penny size hail, torrential rainfall, and
frequent cloud to ground lightning can be expected with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Bayfield, La Pointe, Sand Island, Cornucopia, Madeline Island,
Bayfield Peninsula Sea Caves, Sand Bay, Red Cliff, Herbster, Big Bay
State Park, Stockton Island, Apostle Islands National Lake Shore, Red
Cliff Reservation, and Outer Island.
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.
These storms may intensify, please monitor local media outlets for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
northwestern Wisconsin.
LAT...LON 4701 9036 4694 9046 4692 9039 4687 9042
4680 9060 4676 9062 4669 9075 4690 9123
4692 9121 4692 9108 4696 9109 4704 9094
4702 9083 4711 9075 4709 9067 4711 9056
4705 9051 4708 9050 4711 9042 4708 9034
TIME...MOT...LOC 0129Z 270DEG 47KT 4719 9046 4700 9099
MoorePRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
842 PM CDT FRI JUL 26 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0815 PM HAIL 2 NW TWO HARBORS 47.05N 91.71W
07/26/2019 E0.50 INCH LAKE MN PUBLIC
&&
KCPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
854 PM CDT FRI JUL 26 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0820 PM HAIL 2 NNE TWO HARBORS 47.05N 91.65W
07/26/2019 E1.50 INCH LAKE MN PUBLIC
TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
&&
KCThe Duluth radar (KDLH), 78 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:08 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A few trees were knocked down along Wisconsin 13 between Cornucopia and Herbster.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, July 2019
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: 843912, 843911.