Isolated pulse-type thunderstorms developed in the early evening across portions of northwest and west central Minnesota. Brief thunderstorm wind gusts generally ranged from 35 to 55 mph.
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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 FGF wrote it up.
Isolated pulse-type thunderstorms developed in the early evening across portions of northwest and west central Minnesota. Brief thunderstorm wind gusts generally ranged from 35 to 55 mph.
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 Oct 11, 6:16 PM CST, 19 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 716 PM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020 .UPDATE... Issued at 707 PM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020 Cold front entering western MN at 00z having passed Hallock, Crookston and Wheaton. Band of t-storms just ahead of it from west of Bemidji to Alexandria and then a band of t-storms with the front itself from near TVF to east of Moorhead. This line with the actual front is weakening. CAPE values 500 j/kg in the far southern fcst area yet ahead of the front maintaining strong t-storm risk in E Otter Tail into Wadena counties thru 02z. Behind the front there are areas of light rain in E ND moving NE. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Sunday) Issued at 300 PM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020 Opportunities for impactful weather will consist of a few midweek showers and maybe a period of light snow proximal to Lake of the Woods late week. Northwest flow will prevail on Tue, and with 850 ensemble winds progged at 30 kts or better, we could be looking at 20-30 mph near sfc winds along and west of the valley, given efficient mixing. During this time northern high plains low will be advancing to the east in developing zonal flow, increasing shower chances during the day on Wed. Guidance has been converging to a more POPful solution. Earlier in the day, some areas across the north could experience a few snowflakes mixed in with the liquid. Cyclonic flow remains through the end of the week, with Lake of the Woods on edge of area of scant moisture, but nevertheless it could combine with -8C or colder 850mb temps and the proper wind fetch to present a chance of a little lake enhanced snow shower activity. Snow plumes picking up on chance for minor accum. vcnty. KBDE Fri. After that the cooler air lingers over the entire region, with 850 mb temps remaining in the -4 to -8C range, limiting high temps to the 40s by then, with lows near or below freezing. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Monday evening) Issued at 707 PM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020 VFR thru the pd. Exception will be locally MVFR vsbys in t-storms BJI area thru 03z. Strong south winds diminishing in MN and turning west all areas overnight, but in the 8 to 15 kt range. West winds increasing to 15-25 kts Monday midday and aftn. Cloud deck in the 4000-8000 ft agl range then clearing spreading east && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. UPDATE...Riddle LONG TERM...WJB AVIATION...Riddle
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 612 AM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020 MNZ001>003-005-006-008-009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ030-039- 053-121115- West Polk-Norman-Clay-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-East Marshall- North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake-East Polk-North Clearwater- South Beltrami-Mahnomen-South Clearwater-Hubbard-West Becker- East Becker-Wilkin-West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant- Traill-Cass-Richland- 612 AM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible through early afternoon. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible from 3 pm to 8 pm today. One inch diameter hail and wind gusts to 60 mph would be the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. MNZ004-007-NDZ027-029-038-049-052-121115- Kittson-West Marshall-Grand Forks-Steele-Barnes-Ransom-Sargent- 612 AM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible through late morning. Isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. NDZ006>008-014>016-024-026-028-054-121115- Towner-Cavalier-Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh-Eddy-Nelson- Griggs-Western Walsh- 612 AM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible through mid morning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
526 PM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020
MNZ003-027-029-030-112330-
West Becker MN-Clay MN-Wilkin MN-West Otter Tail MN-
526 PM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN CLAY...NORTHWESTERN
OTTER TAIL...NORTHEASTERN WILKIN AND WESTERN BECKER COUNTIES UNTIL
630 PM CDT...
At 526 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Rollag to 6 miles southwest of Rothsay.
Movement was northeast at 40 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Detroit Lakes, Pelican Rapids, Lake Park, Rothsay, Callaway, Ogema
and Shoreham.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Grand Forks.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
west central Minnesota.
LAT...LON 4634 9647 4675 9635 4715 9593 4672 9572
4672 9577 4668 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 208DEG 35KT 4678 9629 4643 9641
CJSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
554 PM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020
MNZ029>031-040-120000-
East Otter Tail MN-Grant MN-Wilkin MN-West Otter Tail MN-
554 PM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN OTTER TAIL...GRANT AND
SOUTHEASTERN WILKIN COUNTIES UNTIL 700 PM CDT...
At 553 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Rothsay to Dumont. Movement was northeast
at 25 mph.
Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Fergus Falls, Lake Lida, Elbow Lake, Ashby, Herman, Star Lake and
Barrett.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Grand Forks.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
west central Minnesota.
LAT...LON 4593 9625 4594 9626 4602 9626 4602 9640
4645 9630 4672 9577 4672 9570 4610 9578
4576 9593 4576 9625
TIME...MOT...LOC 2253Z 220DEG 21KT 4645 9625 4573 9642
CJPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
624 PM CDT SUN OCT 11 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0623 PM HAIL WENDELL 46.04N 96.10W
10/11/2020 E0.25 INCH GRANT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
SHERIFF IN WENDELL REPORTS PEA SIZED HAIL AND STRONG
WINDS, MAGNITUDE OF WINDS UNKNOWN
&&
AKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
643 PM CDT SUN OCT 11 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0638 PM HAIL WENDELL 46.04N 96.10W
10/11/2020 M0.25 INCH GRANT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT
SHERIFF IN WENDELL REPORTS PEA SIZED HAIL
AND STRONG WINDS. MAGNITUDE OF WINDS IS
UNKNOWN.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
657 PM CDT SUN OCT 11 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0620 PM HAIL PELICAN RAPIDS 46.57N 96.09W
10/11/2020 M0.25 INCH OTTER TAIL MN PUBLIC
PUBLIC REPORTS PEA SIZED HAIL VIA FACEBOOK
&&
AKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
704 PM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020
MNZ028-030-031-040-120045-
East Otter Tail MN-East Becker MN-Grant MN-West Otter Tail MN-
704 PM CDT Sun Oct 11 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL OTTER TAIL...NORTHEASTERN
GRANT AND EASTERN BECKER COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM CDT...
At 703 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Frazee to near Clitherall. Movement was
northeast at 40 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Perham, Ottertail Lake, New York Mills, Elbow Lake, Battle Lake,
Henning and Ottertail.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Grand Forks.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
west central Minnesota.
LAT...LON 4592 9602 4632 9601 4666 9579 4672 9573
4672 9566 4678 9567 4715 9527 4715 9523
4646 9526 4611 9558 4611 9577 4603 9577
TIME...MOT...LOC 0003Z 212DEG 34KT 4676 9568 4621 9567
CJThe Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 106 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:33 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Mahnomen Airport (K3N8) AWOS reported 51 knot or 58.7 mph wind gust.
Several large 4 to 6 inch diameter tree branches were broken down as a thunderstorm squall moved through town.
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, October 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 926681, 926683.