July 2nd was another hot and humid day, with high temperatures topping out in the 80s to low 90s with dew points in the low 70s. Thunderstorms fired up by mid to late afternoon near a surface cold front that was draped across northwest Minnesota. These thunderstorms congealed into a complex and tracked east-southeast along the U. S. Highway 2 corridor from Ada to Bemidji, producing steady reports of strong winds and major tree damage. This thunderstorm complex continued to propagate along the U. S. Highway 2 corridor east of Bemidji toward Duluth. By late evening, more thunderstorms formed across Otter Tail County and tracked east-southeast along the Interstate 94 corridor toward the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. These thunderstorms also produced reports of strong winds as well as large hail.

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 22:45:00 to 02-JUL-12 22:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLUFFTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 23:05:00 to 02-JUL-12 23:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: OTTERTAIL
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 23:05:00 to 02-JUL-12 23:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: OTTERTAIL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The area from Rush Lake through Ottertail to about three miles south of Ottertail had tremendous wind damage. Corn and other crops were flattened along with a lot of tree damage. The area lost power for about two hours.

Hail in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 12:55:00 to 02-JUL-12 12:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREENBUSH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 23:10:00 to 02-JUL-12 23:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW YORK MILLS
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 23:18:00 to 02-JUL-12 23:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALMORA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Very strong winds rocked a large SUV while the vehicle was parked on the side of a highway.

Hail in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 16:35:00 to 02-JUL-12 16:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: ADA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in MAHNOMEN, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 16:50:00 to 02-JUL-12 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEJOU
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The hail ranged in size from pea to golfball with very little wind.

Hail in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 16:53:00 to 02-JUL-12 16:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: TWIN VLY ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in MAHNOMEN, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 17:10:00 to 02-JUL-12 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEJOU
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 17:30:00 to 02-JUL-12 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEBS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 17:44:00 to 02-JUL-12 17:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: BECIDA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

The roof was blown off a garage. The time was estimated.

Hail in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 18:08:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: EVERGREEN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: COOP Observer

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 18:00:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEMIDJI
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Shingles were blown off of a house in Bemidji. Numerous trees were also blown down throughout the city and street flooding occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 17:55:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: NARY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind sensor near Lake Plantagenet lost power when wind speeds hit 56 mph. Wind speeds likely increased substantially after this point and lasted for about ten minutes. Numerous large tree limbs were snapped.

Hail in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 18:04:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEMIDJI
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 18:55:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MENAHGA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 18:20:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEVIS ARPT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down around Camp Wilderness near Emmaville. Wind speeds were estimated between 50 and 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 18:14:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE GEORGE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees were blown down near the highway 71 and highway 200 intersection east of Lake Itasca State Park. People were trapped in the park due to the trees blocking the exit roads.

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 18:25:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENEDICT MORRILL ARP
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous large trees were felled across roads and driveways in the Lake Benedict area. The strong winds occurred for several minutes as the storm moved through.

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 18:31:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARK RAPIDS
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The wind gust was measured by the Park Rapids ASOS.

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 21:55:00 to 02-JUL-12 21:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: PELICAN RAPIDS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 22:30:00 to 02-JUL-12 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PELICAN RAPIDS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 22:32:00 to 02-JUL-12 22:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW YORK MILLS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 18:00:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEMIDJI
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous large tree limbs were broken down and trees were uprooted. Roofing material was torn off of buildings at Oaksville Christian College and around the Lake Marquette area.

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 18:00:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BECIDA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The new recreational area near LaSalle Lake had numerous trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 17:50:00 to 02-JUL-12 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOLWAY
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Eight to ten inch diameter trees were blown down along county road 5.

Hail in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 18:30:00 to 02-JUL-12 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MENAHGA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 22:20:00 to 02-JUL-12 22:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLUE GRASS
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Public

The hail was accompanied by very heavy rain and very strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 02-JUL-12 17:41:00 to 02-JUL-12 17:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: ZERKEL
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple five to six inch diameter trees were blown down across highway 92 two miles southwest of Lake Minerva.