On the morning of July 4th, a cold front pushed into central North Dakota, eventually reaching eastern North Dakota around the noon hour. Ahead of the front, a stationary boundary also set up, basically running along the U. S. Highway 2 corridor. South of this stationary boundary temperatures surged into the 90s with dew points in the low 70s, resulting in a heat advisory for portions of the area. Precipitable water values were also quite high, ranging around two inches, which increased the probability for heavy rain with any of the thunderstorms. As the boundaries continued to move east during the day, showers and thunderstorms marched from near Sarles, North Dakota, along and north of the U. S. Highway 2 corridor to near Bemidji, Minnesota.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 09:10:00 to 04-JUL-12 09:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: BADGER
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Mesonet

Several large tree branches were blown down. A nearby MNDOT RWIS sensor failed due to power loss from the strong winds.

Hail in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 09:20:00 to 04-JUL-12 09:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTHLAND
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

The hail was accompanied by brief heavy rain, very strong winds, and frequent lightning.

Hail in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 10:15:00 to 04-JUL-12 10:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: VIKING
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 10:15:00 to 04-JUL-12 10:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: VIKING
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several large tree branches were blown down.

Hail in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 19:40:00 to 04-JUL-12 19:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: MENAHGA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 11:25:00 to 04-JUL-12 11:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: WASKISH
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: COOP Observer

Ten inch diameter trees were knocked down by the strong wind.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 12:25:00 to 04-JUL-12 12:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIRCHMONT
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were blown down on the north side of Lake Bemidji.

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 19:55:00 to 04-JUL-12 19:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEBEKA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Power lines, one tree, and multiple tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 12:15:00 to 04-JUL-12 12:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAVINIA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The strong winds occurred east of Bemidji.

Thunderstorm Wind in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 08:19:00 to 04-JUL-12 08:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: DONALDSON
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Mesonet

Power lines were blown down knocking out the MNDOT RWIS sensors on highway 11.

Thunderstorm Wind in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 08:25:00 to 04-JUL-12 08:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTHCOTE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several large tree branches and tree limbs were broken down. The time was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 08:35:00 to 04-JUL-12 08:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENGLUND
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

Dozens of trees were knocked down in shelterbelts across western and central Nelson Park Township.

Funnel Cloud in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 20:00:00 to 04-JUL-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEBEKA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A persistent funnel cloud was reported my multiple sources as extending from the backside of a storm cloud.

Funnel Cloud in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 20:23:00 to 04-JUL-12 20:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: OYLEN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A partially rain wrapped but persistent funnel cloud was observed tracking across the southeastern corner of North Germany Township.

Tornado in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-12 20:05:00 to 04-JUL-12 20:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLUE GRASS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The tornado snapped several oak, pine, and poplar trees along its intermittent path. It also cracked or snapped at least two power poles, shifted a barn off its foundation, and peeled siding and roofing off a couple of homes and farm buildings along its path. Peak winds were estimated at 95 mph.