The early evening of Sunday July 10th, a complex of thunderstorms developed across southeast North Dakota, and northeast South Dakota, and moved southeast across Minnesota. Ample instability and wind shear allowed for several bow echoes to form along the leading edge of a strong thunderstorm complex.
Several wind sensors across west central Minnesota recorded measured wind speeds in excess of 70 mph as these storms moved rapidly southeast. There was a brief tornado that touched down north of Atwater, Minnesota. However, most of the storm damage was with straight-line winds, some of which caused widespread damage near Sauk Centre.
The worst damage, in terms of hundreds of trees uprooted or down power lines was across Douglas, Pope and Stearns Counties of west central and central Minnesota early in the storm's path.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 21:10:00 to 10-JUL-11 21:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAPLE GROVE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A large tree was uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in MEEKER, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 20:04:00 to 10-JUL-11 20:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: WATKINS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few large trees were blown down.

Lightning in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 23:00:00 to 10-JUL-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDINA
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A home was struck by lightning and caught fire on the 7000 block of Schey Drive, in Edina, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind in WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 20:40:00 to 10-JUL-11 20:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONTICELLO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Several trees and power lines were blown down in Monticello, Minnesota.

Lightning in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 23:15:00 to 10-JUL-11 23:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSEMOUNT
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning struck a home in Rosemount, Minnesota on 151st Street West and caused a fire.

Thunderstorm Wind in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 21:35:00 to 10-JUL-11 21:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW ROME
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous power lines and trees were blown down across the eastern part of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind in MEEKER, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 20:25:00 to 10-JUL-11 20:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: DASSEL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few large trees and power lines were blown down in Dassel.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 19:20:00 to 10-JUL-11 19:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MELROSE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A garage roof was blown off in northwest Melrose.

Thunderstorm Wind in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 18:40:00 to 10-JUL-11 18:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLMES CITY
Magnitude: 61.00 ES
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous large trees and power lines were blown down from near Holmes City, to Forada, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 21:25:00 to 10-JUL-11 21:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST JAMES
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 21:04:00 to 10-JUL-11 21:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: GIBBON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous large tree branches and several road signs were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in ANOKA, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 20:58:00 to 10-JUL-11 20:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAMSEY
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A 30 foot diameter pine tree was snapped off.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 18:51:00 to 10-JUL-11 18:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARIETTA
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 18:47:00 to 10-JUL-11 18:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: FORADA
Magnitude: 69.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Hail in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 19:15:00 to 10-JUL-11 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAWSON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

In addition to the hail, some crop damage was reported from the Emergency Manager.

Hail in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 19:40:00 to 10-JUL-11 19:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRANITE FALLS
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 19:14:00 to 10-JUL-11 19:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADISON
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 19:38:00 to 10-JUL-11 19:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANLEY FALLS
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 19:50:00 to 10-JUL-11 19:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: AVON
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter measured a peak wind gust, along with several large trees blown down.

Hail in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 19:55:00 to 10-JUL-11 19:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: SACRED HEART
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in SHERBURNE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 20:22:00 to 10-JUL-11 20:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: CABLE
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 18:25:00 to 10-JUL-11 18:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORRIS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large tree branches were blown down near Morris, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 18:35:00 to 10-JUL-11 18:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW PRAIRIE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large trees, up to 30 inches in diameter were blown down.

Tornado in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 19:47:00 to 10-JUL-11 19:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: ATWATER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

There were several reports of a brief tornado from Skywarn Spotters and the public in a field along 310th Street, approximately 5 miles north-northeast of Atwater, Minnesota. An EF-0 tornado was confirmed the next day by a National Weather Service Service Team near the Kandiyohi/Meeker County line.
One detailed account indicated the condensation of the tornado reached the ground for about 20 seconds before the tornado dissipated. This occurred in a corn field.
Based on radar and information from the survey, winds were around 65 mph, with a path length near an 1/8 of a mile, and a width of 10 yards.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 20:58:00 to 10-JUL-11 21:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: STEWART
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter measured a peak wind speed with his anemometer north of Stewart, Minnesota.  In addition, local law enforcement officials reported numerous power outages and power lines were blown down from Stewart, eastward to Brownton.

Thunderstorm Wind in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 20:24:00 to 10-JUL-11 20:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: OLIVIA
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 18:28:00 to 10-JUL-11 18:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRANDON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several large trees and power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 19:22:00 to 10-JUL-11 19:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSA
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A large row of trees, up to 16 inches in diameter were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 20:10:00 to 10-JUL-11 20:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: RENVILLE ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Severe straight line winds cause a power outage in town.

Thunderstorm Wind in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 18:53:00 to 10-JUL-11 18:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALEXANDRIA
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 21:54:00 to 10-JUL-11 22:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOREST LAKE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Straight line winds caused a large area of northern Washington County to lose power. The hardest hit area was Forest Lake, where several large trees fell on cars and homes.

Thunderstorm Wind in LE SUEUR, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 21:47:00 to 10-JUL-11 21:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: LE SUEUR
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several large trees and power lines were blown down. In addition, some structural damage occurred to a building.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 19:05:00 to 10-JUL-11 19:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAUK CENTRE
Magnitude: 65.00 ES
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The Sauk Centre City Officials noted that power was lost in the town at 1908 CST, which is when emergency sirens lost power. Several residents noted that the strong straight line winds lasted for 10 minutes.
Damage occurred to approximately 200 trees in Sauk Centre which were either uprooted or snapped off with the line of storms. Tree damage was noted from Interstate 94, in the south, to the Sauk Centre Country Club to the north.
The survey noted that all of the trees were laying toward the east, which was indicative of damage caused by straight line winds. Dozens of structures were also damaged in the town, though almost all of the structural damage was caused by falling trees. There was a toppled truck trailer, just over a dozen downed utility poles, and several snapped road signs.

Thunderstorm Wind in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 20:30:00 to 10-JUL-11 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRANKLIN
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A large path, up to 3/4 of a mile wide of trees blown down, was reported near Franklin.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 22:20:00 to 10-JUL-11 22:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: WASECA
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 23:09:00 to 10-JUL-11 23:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINE IS
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter measured a peak wind gust with his anemometer.

Thunderstorm Wind in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 23:00:00 to 10-JUL-11 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RED WING JCT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Severe straight line winds blew down several power lines near Red Wing.

Thunderstorm Wind in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 18:30:00 to 10-JUL-11 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: KENSINGTON
Magnitude: 61.00 ES
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the southern part of Douglas County from Kensington to Garfield, and Holmes City. In addition, straight line winds damaging two roofs of two commercial buildings in the southern part of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind in ANOKA, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 21:02:00 to 10-JUL-11 21:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAMSEY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A 10 inch diameter tree was uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 18:59:00 to 10-JUL-11 18:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLENWOOD ARPT
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 21:45:00 to 10-JUL-11 21:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDINA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A large tree was uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 18:57:00 to 10-JUL-11 18:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLENWOOD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

An 8 inch diameter tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 10-JUL-11 21:50:00 to 10-JUL-11 21:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELLE PLAINE
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A wind sensor measured a wind gust of 73 mph near the intersection of Highway 19 and County Road 3, south of Belle Plaine, Minnesota.