A strong cold front moved through eastern North Dakota and the northwest quarter of Minnesota during the afternoon and evening hours of August 3rd. Afternoon temperatures ahead of the front reached the low to mid 80s with dew points in the low to mid 60s. Thunderstorms fired all along the frontal boundary with damaging wind gusts becoming the main threat. Bowing segments also appeared along the line, although no tornadoes were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:25:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: MENTOR
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:20:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAPLE BAY
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were blown down and boat lifts were flipped over.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:15:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURWELL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Large branches were blown down by the strong wind in a farm yard.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:30:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWNDALE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A large enclosed horse trailer was blown off Interstate 94 near mile point 30. The time and location were based on preliminary state patrol reports.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:27:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWNDALE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several sections of corn, soybeans, and other crops were flattened by damaging winds affecting portions of Manston, Tanbers, Atherton, and Prairie View Townships in northeast Wilkin County. Most shelterbelts had numerous large tree branches broken down and an occasional tree snapped near ground level. Peak winds were estimated in excess of 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:35:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE PARK
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees four inches in diameter were blown down in addition to many smaller branches.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:38:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROTHSAY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous large branches and power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 17:50:00 to 03-AUG-12 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELLY
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several sections of corn, soybeans, and other crops were flattened by damaging winds across Shelly Township. Most shelterbelts had numerous tree branches broken off but an occasional tree was snapped near the ground.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:12:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: KENT
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several sections of corn, soybeans, and other crops were flattened by damaging winds across Mitchell Township. Most shelterbelts had large tree limbs broken down or an occasional tree snapped near ground level. Peak winds were estimated in excess of 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:15:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENDRUM
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous large three to five inch diameter tree branches were broken down. A large oak tree was also split.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:40:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROTHSAY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous large tree branches were blown down around town. Power outages were also reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:45:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: DORAN
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large tree branches and tree limbs were broken off by the strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:37:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROTHSAY
Magnitude: 93.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured at the MNDOT RWIS site along Interstate 94 near mile point 37.

Thunderstorm Wind in RED LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:30:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROOKS
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Large tree branches were blown down onto power lines causing local power outages.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:50:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHOREHAM
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous large trees and tree limbs were blown down near the WE Fest campgrounds. Some tent and trailer damage occurred and the concert bowl was evacuated in advance of the storm.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:50:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: PELICAN RAPIDS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A twelve inch diameter maple tree was blown down by the strong winds. In addition, many other four to six inch diameter tree branches were broken off.

Thunderstorm Wind in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:55:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: SYRE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several sections of corn and soybeans were flattened by damaging winds in western Home Lake Township.

Funnel Cloud in CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:55:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: GONVICK
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

One or more persistent funnels were viewed by multiple sources near the Polk and Clearwater county line. Photos and reports were posted via Facebook and confirmed by local authorities.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 19:00:00 to 03-AUG-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PELICAN RAPIDS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Several large trees were broken down or uprooted onto homes and vehicles.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 19:13:00 to 03-AUG-12 19:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERGUS FALLS
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

The wind gust was measured by the AWOS at the Fergus Falls Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 19:02:00 to 03-AUG-12 19:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: TENNEY
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured at the MNDOT RWIS site along highway 75.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 19:05:00 to 03-AUG-12 19:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERGAS
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Numerous four to six inch diameter tree branches were broken down along with a few larger trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 19:15:00 to 03-AUG-12 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: DENT
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Boat lifts, docks, and boats were flipped by the strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 19:20:00 to 03-AUG-12 19:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICHVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The wind gust was measured by a storm chaser along highway 108 at Rush Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 19:25:00 to 03-AUG-12 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: PERHAM
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Numerous large four to eight inch diameter tree limbs were broken down. Two forty foot tall pine trees were snapped about ten feet above ground level.

Thunderstorm Wind in MAHNOMEN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 19:27:00 to 03-AUG-12 19:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAUBUN
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

Very strong winds blew for several minutes across portions of Lake Grove and Rosedale townships. Large branches of four to six inches in diameter or greater were broken down in various locations east of the Mahnomen County Airport. The winds sounded like a freight train.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 19:30:00 to 03-AUG-12 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLEARBROOK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few large five to eight inch diameter tree limbs and numerous smaller branches were blown down by the strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:05:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: DORAN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 03-AUG-12 18:20:00 to 03-AUG-12 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROTHSAY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Numerous three to four inch diameter tree branches were blown down on and near highway 9.