By the early morning hours of the 4th, an area of surface low pressure had moved into northeast South Dakota, with a warm front extending out to the east. Surface dew point values north of the front ranged in the lower 60s while south of the front they topped out around 70. At 850 millibars, the low level jet pushed juicy air up into southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota, with drier air to the north. Finally, forty-five to fifty knot westerly winds at 500 millibars provided ample shear to the system. Thunderstorms over western and central North Dakota proceeded east and moved into Barnes County, North Dakota, during the first few hours of the 4th. These storms tracked nearly due east, finally exiting Wadena County, Minnesota, around sunrise. The strongest storms mainly stayed along and south of Interstate 94 in North Dakota and U. S. Highway 10 in Minnesota. These storms trained across the same areas as well, with some spots experiencing large hail or damaging winds two or three times during the event. In addition, heavy rainfall became a problem, resulting in some flash flooding.

Flash Flood in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 04:30:00 to 04-SEP-14 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOORHEAD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Streets were flooded in south Moorhead.

Flash Flood in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 05:00:00 to 04-SEP-14 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARNESVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several bouts of heavy rainfall flooded city streets. Water was reported to be over a foot deep in some areas.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 03:15:00 to 04-SEP-14 03:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLVERTON
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees were blown down in town.

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 03:55:00 to 04-SEP-14 03:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW YORK MILLS
Magnitude: 2.75 
Reported by: Public

Lightning in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 02:30:00 to 04-SEP-14 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DORSET
Property damage: 300.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning ignited a fire that destroyed one restaurant and badly damaged a second neighboring restaurant.

Hail in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 02:45:00 to 04-SEP-14 02:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARNESVILLE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 04:00:00 to 04-SEP-14 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW YORK MILLS ARPT
Magnitude: 3.25 
Reported by: Public

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 04:00:00 to 04-SEP-14 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DENT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Flash Flood in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 05:30:00 to 04-SEP-14 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLVERTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Public

Several farm access roads and fields were flooded across Wolverton Township.

Flash Flood in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 06:00:00 to 04-SEP-14 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWNDALE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous fields and farm access roads were flooded across Atherton and Prairie View townships.

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 04:30:00 to 04-SEP-14 04:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PELICAN RAPIDS
Magnitude: 2.75 
Reported by: Public

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 04:57:00 to 04-SEP-14 04:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW YORK MILLS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 05:15:00 to 04-SEP-14 05:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: WADENA
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A large number of trees and light poles were blown down in town, with several trees falling on homes.

Flash Flood in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 06:00:00 to 04-SEP-14 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PELICAN RAPIDS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Widespread street flooding occurred in Pelican Rapids along with the flooding of nearby fields and rural access roads.

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 05:15:00 to 04-SEP-14 05:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERNDALE
Magnitude: 73.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a MNDOT RWIS sensor near Verndale.

Flood in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 13:00:00 to 04-SEP-14 13:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEBEKA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Widespread heavy rain fell through the early morning and produced a large area of standing water, which flooded ditches and fields across portions of southern Red Eye, Rockwood, and North Germany townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 05:28:00 to 04-SEP-14 05:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: STAPLES
Magnitude: 69.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

The wind gust was measured at the Staples airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 04:50:00 to 04-SEP-14 04:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: BATTLE LAKE
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Newspaper

A truck was blown off highway 210 near Battle Lake.

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 04:45:00 to 04-SEP-14 04:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: DENT
Magnitude: 2.50 
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The hail fell at Big McDonald Lake.

Tornado in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 03:48:00 to 04-SEP-14 03:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROTHSAY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado tracked intermittently for about two miles, leaving a track through corn and grain fields. It tore down numerous two to three foot diameter hardwood trees and ripped shingles, roofing, and siding off a house. Peak winds were estimated at 120 mph.

Tornado in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-SEP-14 04:42:00 to 04-SEP-14 04:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW YORK MILLS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 3.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A tornado wrapped in downburst winds and heavy rain tracked intermittently for about two miles across east central Newton Township. The tornado knocked down numerous trees and large tree branches, broke a few power poles, and overturned a hayrack along its route. Peak winds were estimated at 95 mph.