An afternoon lake breeze off of Lake Superior ignited a few storms over Northeast MN. One cell produced half dollar sized hail and winds strong enough to down branches and pine cones.
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.
An afternoon lake breeze off of Lake Superior ignited a few storms over Northeast MN. One cell produced half dollar sized hail and winds strong enough to down branches and pine cones.
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 4, 1:59 PM CST, 3 hours 17 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Duluth MN 259 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday night) Issued at 259 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 More of the same over the Independence Day holiday weekend, with hot and humid conditions continuing and a chance for showers and storms today and tomorrow. Storms are not anticipated to be severe given very weak winds through the vertical column, but an isolated strong storm is possible both late today (mainly along/north of the Iron Range) and again on Sunday (across northern MN). No drought-busting rain, though, with storm coverage isolated at best. Late today and into this evening will see another round of afternoon thunderstorms similar to the past two days. With around 1500-2000+ j/kg SBCAPE build by mid-day, just the weak lake breeze from Lake Superior will be enough to kick of thunderstorms this afternoon. There is a chance that more organized storms in northwest Minnesota move into parts of northeast MN (mainly north of the Iron Range) this afternoon or early evening, but otherwise storms will be brief, isolated, and fairly weak in nature - maybe some pea size hail or a gust to 45 mph possible from the strongest storms. This evening most shower/storm activity will wane after sunset, with very weak surface winds out of the south around 5 mph or less - fairly poor smoke dispersal for any fireworks. Temps today are expected to again reach into the low 90s across much of the area - see Climate section for temp records. Tonight will be partly to mostly cloudy, with high cirrus clouds from storms in eastern North Dakota expected to move across the Northland. Lows in the low to mid 60s - around ten degrees above normal. On Sunday the mid-level ridge axis gradually moves across and east of the Northland, resulting in the richest low level moisture currently over eastern North Dakota to advect into northeast MN and northwest WI. While the air temperature may be slightly cooler on Sunday (upper 80s, except mid 70s along the north shore), the increased humidity will cause it to feel about the same as Saturday. Another round of showers and storms possible during the afternoon and evening hours, with odds slightly higher for more widespread storm coverage and perhaps a strong storm. Instability will be a bit higher due to the low level moisture advecting in and winds increasing at mid and low levels. Late in the day a cold front approaches from the northwest, with showers and storms possible both ahead of the front and along the frontal boundary as is moves across the region. .LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday) Issued at 259 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 The aforementioned cold front slowly moves from northwest to southeast across the region on Monday, with scattered showers and storms possible along and ahead of the frontal boundary. Rainfall amounts of a half inch or more are possible, but due to the scattered nature of the showers and storms, precip amounts will vary locally. Otherwise around warm one - highs in the 80s, warmest in northwest Wisconsin ahead of the front. Through the rest of the work week a zonal to slightly southwest pattern at mid/upper levels with continued chances for precipitation nearly every day. Temperatures not as hot as the weekend but still above normal in the mid 80s most days. With such a weakly forced broad-scale pattern, predictability for precipitation and any severe thunderstorm chances is low. At this point late Tuesday night into Wednesday is the best chance for severe weather through the forecast period due to a weak mid-level shortwave trough ejecting out of the northern High Plains and into the Dakotas combined with a surge of low level moisture from the south ahead of the wave. Stronger winds aloft and ample instability could sustain a mesoscale convective system as it moves across the Upper Midwest, which could produce damaging wind gusts. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon) Issued at 1239 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period, except for the possibility of any briefly MVFR conditions if a thunderstorm occurs near a site and the possibility for MVFR fog at a few sites tonight. This afternoon isolated showers and storms will be present across the region, but the odds of a storm occurring at any given site is very low. INL has the best chance to see a shower or storm, which could cause MVFR ceilings for a brief time. Otherwise tonight fog is possible at HIB and DLH, but confidence is lower than previous nights, so went with just MVFR visibility in this forecast. VFR on Sunday. Winds continue to be very light, variable in direction today, calm overnight, then becoming more southerly around 5-10 knots on Sunday. && .MARINE... Issued at 259 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 Typical summer weather pattern continues with light winds expected through the weekend into early next week. Winds weak (less than 5 knots or so) and variable in direction today/tonight, becoming east/northeasterly on Sunday with 5-10 knot winds expected at the head of the lake. Winds then turn southwest around 5-10 knots on Monday. A few chances for showers and storms, with the most likely chance for any storms over the lake late Sunday night into Monday. && .CLIMATE... Issued at 259 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 A few record highs may be tied or exceeded today, then temperatures will not be as hot Sunday into next week, so no records are expected to be broken. Record warm lows also are not in jeopardy of being broken. A table of record highs for today and the current forecast appears below. Record Highs for July 4... Duluth................95 in 1881 (Forecast: 90) International Falls...90 in 1948 (Forecast: 90) Brainerd..............97 in 1988 (Forecast: 88) Hibbing...............90 in 1988 (Forecast: 90) Ashland...............95 in 1990 (Forecast: 91) && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DLH 67 87 64 85 / 10 30 40 70 INL 63 87 64 83 / 50 60 60 60 BRD 69 90 67 84 / 10 30 50 80 HYR 64 90 66 89 / 10 20 30 60 ASX 63 90 66 91 / 10 20 30 60 && .DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. LS...None. && SHORT TERM...JJM LONG TERM...JJM AVIATION...JJM CLIMATE...JJM MARINE...JJM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Duluth MN 305 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-052015- 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- 305 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight An isolated thunderstorm is possible across parts of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin away from Lake Superior this afternoon into the evening. Storms are not expected to be severe, but a few strong storms producing small hail and gusty winds are possible. Late tonight there is a marginal risk for an isolated strong to severe storm along the international border. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday There are periodic chances of thunderstorms Sunday through Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SKYWARN spotters are encouraged to report hail of any size and rainfall amounts to the National Weather Service. LSZ121-140>148-052015- 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- 305 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Nearshore waters of western Lake Superior. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday There is a potential for thunderstorms across western Lake Superior Monday and then again on Wednesday. Storms could be strong. JJM 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 449 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 MNZ019-042200- Central St. Louis- 449 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT RURAL AREAS NORTHWEST OF HIBBING AND WEST OF CHISHOLM... At 448 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Hibbing. The storm was nearly stationary. Wind gusts up to 35 mph, half inch hail, heavy downpours, and occasional cloud to ground lightning can be expected with this storm. This storm will be near... Hibbing around 500 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this storm include Leetonia and Kelly Lake. 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. LAT...LON 4738 9301 4745 9307 4751 9302 4744 9288 TIME...MOT...LOC 2148Z 222DEG 2KT 4744 9301 Huyck
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Duluth MN 500 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 MNZ011-042230- North St. Louis- 500 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTH-CENTRAL ST. LOUIS COUNTY... At 500 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was 8 miles north of Lake Vermilion, moving northeast at 10 mph. Wind gusts up to 35 mph, pea-size hail, heavy downpours, and occasional cloud-to-ground lightning can be expected with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of south central North St. Louis County, including the following locations... Trout Lake. 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. LAT...LON 4793 9244 4801 9257 4813 9243 4801 9223 TIME...MOT...LOC 2200Z 224DEG 10KT 4801 9244 Huyck
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Duluth MN 511 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 MNZ011-042230- North St. Louis- 511 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTH-CENTRAL ST. LOUIS COUNTY... At 511 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was 8 miles southeast of Buyck, or 10 miles north of Lake Vermilion. The storm was nearly stationary. Wind gusts up to 35 mph, half-inch hail, heavy downpours, and occasional cloud-to-ground lightning can be expected with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of south central North St. Louis County, including the following locations... Trout Lake. 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. LAT...LON 4801 9254 4811 9248 4810 9227 4796 9236 TIME...MOT...LOC 2211Z 291DEG 1KT 4804 9242 Huyck
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Duluth MN 525 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 MNZ019-042245- Central St. Louis- 525 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PORTIONS OF WEST-CENTRAL ST. LOUIS COUNTY... At 524 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was 7 miles north of Buhl, or 17 miles northeast of Hibbing, moving east at 5 mph. Wind gusts up to 35 mph, pea-size hail, and occasional cloud-to- ground lightning can be expected with this storm. This storm will be near... Mountain Iron around 545 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. LAT...LON 4759 9285 4768 9280 4765 9264 4754 9270 TIME...MOT...LOC 2224Z 287DEG 6KT 4761 9275 Huyck
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Duluth MN 555 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 MNZ019-042315- Central St. Louis- 555 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT A PORTION OF CENTRAL ST. LOUIS COUNTY... At 554 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was 8 miles north of Cotton, or 21 miles east of Hibbing. The storm was nearly stationary. Wind gusts up to 35 mph, half-inch diameter hail, and occasional cloud-to-ground lightning can be expected with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of south central Central St. Louis County, including the following locations... Murphy Lake, Melrude and Zim. 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. LAT...LON 4724 9265 4736 9260 4735 9236 4719 9242 TIME...MOT...LOC 2254Z 109DEG 4KT 4729 9253 Huyck
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Duluth MN 557 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 MNZ011-042315- North St. Louis- 557 PM CDT Sat Jul 4 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT ... At 556 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Lake Vermilion, moving east at 10 mph. Wind gusts up to 35 mph, half-inch diameter hail, heavy downpours, and occasional cloud-to-ground lightning can be expected with this storm. This storm will be near... Lake Vermilion around 600 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this storm include Trout Lake. 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. LAT...LON 4786 9254 4794 9254 4795 9235 4786 9235 TIME...MOT...LOC 2256Z 269DEG 9KT 4790 9245 Huyck
The Duluth radar (KDLH), 119 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:17 UTC.
1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Hail accumulated on a deck and was enough to shovel. Winds also downed pine cones and small branches from trees.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Minnesota in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Minnesota, July 2020
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: 899407.