By late in the afternoon of the 4th, temperatures had risen into the 80s to low 90s with dew points in the low 70s. This created an extremely unstable airmass over eastern North Dakota and the northwest quarter of Minnesota. A cold front over central North Dakota marched to the east, helping to initiate severe thunderstorms across the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 17:05:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: PELAN
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a NDSU NDAWN mesonet sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 17:36:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: WANNASKA
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a NDSU NDAWN mesonet sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 18:03:00 to 04-JUL-11 18:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: GATZKE
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a MNDOT RWIS sensor along highway 89.

Tornado in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 19:05:00 to 04-JUL-11 19:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: GENTILLY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This weak tornado tracked for about a mile to around two miles southwest of Gentilly. Several large tree limbs were torn down, three trees were partially uprooted at a farmstead, and a few large tree limbs were torn down in a shelterbelt. Damage indicated peak winds of about 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 19:15:00 to 04-JUL-11 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: REDLAKE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several large tree branches and tree limbs were broken down by the winds. Some shingles were also blown off a house.

Tornado in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 19:55:00 to 04-JUL-11 19:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELLY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado tracked for about 1.5 miles to around four miles east-northeast of Shelly. A couple of mature trees were snapped off and numerous smaller branches were spread around in a farmyard. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 20:45:00 to 04-JUL-11 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: PERLEY
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a NDSU NDAWN mesonet sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 21:45:00 to 04-JUL-11 21:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROLLAG
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A couple of trees fell onto a camper trailer in the city park.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 22:52:00 to 04-JUL-11 22:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: WENDELL
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few large tree branches and tree limbs were broken down around town.

Hail in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 17:26:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: BADGER
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 17:31:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARREN
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 17:45:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: WANNASKA
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees up to 8 inches in diameter were uprooted or snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 17:47:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: WANNASKA
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees up to 12 inches in diameter were snapped.

Hail in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 18:17:00 to 04-JUL-11 18:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUCLID
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 18:19:00 to 04-JUL-11 18:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUCLID
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 18:25:00 to 04-JUL-11 18:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUCLID
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 16:07:00 to 04-JUL-11 16:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: NOYES
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The report came from the Canadian Meteorological Service.

Hail in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 16:34:00 to 04-JUL-11 16:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORLEANS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel to quarter sized hail was reported.

Hail in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 17:00:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BADGER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 17:05:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAZELTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 17:17:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: HALMA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 17:18:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: BADGER
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees of 1 to 2 feet in diameter and 60 to 70 feet in height were snapped.

Hail in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 19:19:00 to 04-JUL-11 19:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: NIELSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 19:51:00 to 04-JUL-11 19:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELLY
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

Several quarter to half dollar sized hail fell.

Hail in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 19:55:00 to 04-JUL-11 19:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELLY
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Public

Hail in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 21:35:00 to 04-JUL-11 21:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: DOWNER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

Very heavy rain fell along with a few dime to penny sized hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 21:45:00 to 04-JUL-11 21:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARNESVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 22:07:00 to 04-JUL-11 22:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROTHSAY
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a MNDOT RWIS sensor along Interstate 94.

Tornado in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 16:08:00 to 04-JUL-11 16:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST VINCENT JCT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado tracked for about two miles to the east-southeast and lifted about three miles northwest of Humboldt. The tornado broke down numerous large tree limbs in shelterbelts. Peak winds were estimated at 85 mph.  Wind and wind driven hail contributed to crop damages across central St. Vincent township.

Hail in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 19:05:00 to 04-JUL-11 19:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: GENTILLY
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The hail fell in drifts across a farmyard and left divots in a cedar deck.

Hail in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-11 21:40:00 to 04-JUL-11 21:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: DOWNER
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The hail was described as being the size and shape of pears. Wind and wind driven hail completely flattened nearby crops in elkton township.