Despite surface temperatures only being in the 60s, with dew points in the 40s ahead of an approaching surface cold front, a pocket of cold air aloft associated with an upper level low generated enough instability to support thunderstorms. These thunderstorms mainly produced marginally severe hail and wind for a brief time in the early to mid afternoon. However, one thunderstorm managed to acquire supercell characteristics and produce a brief tornado in southern Lake County. This tornado was the first recorded tornado in Lake County, Minnesota since September 16, 1992.

Funnel Cloud in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 14:25:00 to 28-MAY-11 14:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: SILVER BAY MUNI ARPT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Brief funnels observed to be dipping out of a rotating wall cloud.

Funnel Cloud in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 14:32:00 to 28-MAY-11 14:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: SILVER BAY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Low hanging, rotating clouds and/or brief funnels were observed over Lax Lake on the west side of Tettegouche State Park.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 13:30:00 to 28-MAY-11 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAHLSTEN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree was blown down and blocked Highway 135 near Highway 26.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 14:35:00 to 28-MAY-11 14:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: GILBERT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree was blown down in Gilbert.

Hail in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 13:45:00 to 28-MAY-11 13:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWBILL LNDG
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Some gusty winds accompanied penny size hail.

Hail in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 14:28:00 to 28-MAY-11 14:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: SILVER BAY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 14:04:00 to 28-MAY-11 14:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC NAIR
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Some trees and tree limbs blown down in an area between Marble Lake and Kane Lake. This damage was likely associated with a downburst immediately prior to the formation of a tornado just to the east.

Hail in PINE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 16:38:00 to 28-MAY-11 16:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: STURGEON LAKE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The hail fell at mile marker 212 on Interstate 35.

Hail in CARLTON, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 16:45:00 to 28-MAY-11 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOOSE LAKE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

The hail was 0.5 to 1.0 inches in diameter at Moose Lake State Park.

Hail in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 14:40:00 to 28-MAY-11 14:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: HIGEN CITY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Gusty winds and heavy rain accompanied the hail.

Hail in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 15:50:00 to 28-MAY-11 15:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: HIGEN CITY
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Hail just under quarter size was reported.

Hail in CARLTON, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 17:08:00 to 28-MAY-11 17:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: WRENSHALL
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 14:50:00 to 28-MAY-11 14:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: SIDE LAKE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Three trees blown down blocking Highway 5 and Perch Lake Road.

Hail in CARLTON, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 16:45:00 to 28-MAY-11 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOOSE LAKE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CARLTON, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 17:12:00 to 28-MAY-11 17:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARLTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Tornado in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 14:07:00 to 28-MAY-11 14:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC NAIR
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A brief tornado occurred in a heavily forested area west of Silver Bay in southern Lake County, roughly along a 2 mile stretch of US Forest Service Road 107 (Kane Lake Road). There were a few pine trees snapped or uprooted, a few ash and birch trees uprooted, and some broken birch tree limbs. The damage seemed to be focused into narrower corridors within the broader tornado path, possibly indicative of smaller vorticies within the overall tornado. This matches well with an eyewitness report that was received of a rotating wall cloud with some small funnels occasionally protruding from the base. No structural damage was observed. [DI 28 (TS), DOD 3, LB-EXP, Est. Gust 70-80 mph].

Hail in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 17:19:00 to 28-MAY-11 17:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW DULUTH
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 13:58:00 to 28-MAY-11 13:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWBILL LNDG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A couple trees were blown down along the Kawishiwi Trail.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 14:28:00 to 28-MAY-11 14:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: SILVER BAY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Some tree limbs were broken off near Lax Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-MAY-11 14:20:00 to 28-MAY-11 14:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: SILVER BAY MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Some sporadic minor tree damage was noted along a section of Highway 15. There were some broken large tree limbs, as well as a few trees blown down. This was associated with non-tornadic winds.