Several severe thunderstorms developed in northeast South Dakota during the late afternoon of Friday, July 17th. These storms moved slowly initially across northeast South Dakota where severe wind gusts, very large hail and a tornado occurred.
After 730 PM CST, these severe storms began to bow out across west central Minnesota from Morris, southwest to Ortonville. Severe wind gusts were reported in Madison to Appleton City as the bow echo began to accelerate eastward across southern Minnesota.
Numerous reports of downed trees, power lines and occasional hail occurred from the South Dakota, Minnesota border eastward to the Twin Cities, and into west central Wisconsin.
Damage was more sporadic in western Minnesota, but became more widespread in eastern Minnesota as a more intense bow echo developed.  A widespread area of trees and power lines were blown down across the Twin Cities metro area, with some areas measuring wind gusts up to 61 knots.
One of the bow echo segments produced a brief tornado west of Watertown, where a storm survey indicated an EF1 occurred.
Another significant wind damaged area was in Goodhue County where winds up to 85 mph were estimated based on a local survey.
At one point during the storm, 225,000 people in Minnesota were without power according to Xcel Energy.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 22:35:00 to 17-JUL-15 22:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROWNTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large tree fell on a power line in Brownton.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 22:25:00 to 17-JUL-15 22:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: STEWART
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large tree was blown down at Yacht Avenue and 100th Street northeast, north of Stewart. There were additional reports of wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph in Hutchinson as the squall line moved through northern McLeod County.

Thunderstorm Wind in BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:10:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANKATO
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

An amphitheater outer shell was ripped off. It occurred near downtown Mankato, and near the Minnesota River. Several large trees were toppled across town.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:02:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: WATERTOWN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several large trees and power lines were blown down in the city of Watertown.

Thunderstorm Wind in WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:10:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONTROSE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large tree was blown over in Montrose.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:12:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: WATERTOWN
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large tree branches were blown down southeast of Watertown on Nike Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:15:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: WACONIA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A severe squall line that moved from east to northeast across northern Carver County produced a significant swath of tree and power line damage across the city of Waconia. Several of the trees were over 12 inches in diameter. One tree landed on a car and destroyed it. Due to the significant damage to power lines, the power in Waconia was out for several hours.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:20:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: EXCELSIOR
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A large tree branch damaged a roof near Christmas Lake in Excelsior. Power was also out in Excelsior.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 18-JUL-15 00:15:00 to 18-JUL-15 00:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUGO
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large trees were toppled northeast of Hugo.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:23:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW PRAGUE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large tree was blown down in New Prague.

Thunderstorm Wind in ANOKA, MINNESOTA
From 18-JUL-15 00:05:00 to 18-JUL-15 00:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: LINO LAKES
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several large trees were blown down with no power for several hours in Lino Lakes.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:40:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKEVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A severe squall line produced significant tree and power line damage across Dakota County from near the Scott, Dakota County border, through Lakeville, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Rosemount, and to Coates. Numerous large trees and tree limbs were blown down with some power outages. A few private weather stations measured wind speeds of 45 to 55 mph. One private weather station had a measured wind gust of 61 knots in Lakeville.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:25:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARYSTOWN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A severe squall line produced significant tree damage across Scott County from near Marystown, east-southeast toward Prior Lake and Credit River. Numerous trees were uprooted or toppled in sporadic areas. There were also several private weather stations that measured wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph from Shakopee to Prior Lake. There was also a measured wind gust of 58  mph in Belle Plaine, and 56 mph wind gust west of New Prague.

Tornado in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA
From 18-JUL-15 00:00:00 to 18-JUL-15 00:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHOREVIEW
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A storm survey indicated that an EF-0 tornado touch downed in the northwest portion of North Oaks, near Charley Lake, and moved east-northeast to the southern side of Deep Lake, where the greatest number of trees were toppled and snapped. Some of the trees fell on houses, vehicles and other structures. The tornado had a path length of 1.9 miles with maximum winds of 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 18-JUL-15 00:14:00 to 18-JUL-15 00:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: HADER
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A storm survey indicated a significant downburst caused damage west of Goodhue. Severe downburst winds initially caused damage to a barn and outbuildings at a farm about 9 miles west of Goodhue. Farther east, about 7.5 miles west of Goodhue, there were numerous trees blown down, an empty grain bin was destroyed, tin was blown off some outbuildings, doors were blown off a machine shed, and some corn was destroyed. These were the two hardest hit locations. Between the two locations, there were just a few trees or large branches taken down. Both locations exhibited divergent damage patterns indicative of a downburst. Based on the survey damage, the highest winds were around 80 to 85 mph.

Hail in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 22:32:00 to 17-JUL-15 22:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUTCHINSON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:55:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH ST PAUL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large tree limbs were blown down in the neighborhood of Minnehaha Avenue and White Bear Avenue in northeast St. Paul.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 20:35:00 to 17-JUL-15 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADISON ARPT
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A measured wind gust of 53 knots was reported by the Madison County Airport wind sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 21:13:00 to 17-JUL-15 21:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONTEVIDEO ARPT
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A measured wind gust of 55 knots was reported by the Montevideo County Airport wind sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 20:50:00 to 17-JUL-15 20:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANCOCK
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees were blown down in the city of Hancock.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 20:45:00 to 17-JUL-15 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORRIS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A snowmobile trailer was blown into a roadway behind a local business in Morris.

Thunderstorm Wind in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 21:50:00 to 17-JUL-15 21:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: (GDB)GRANITE FALLS AIRPORT
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A measured 50 knot wind gust was reported by the Granite Falls County Airport wind sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 20:54:00 to 17-JUL-15 20:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOYD
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A measured wind gust of 54 knots was reported by a trained spotter with a private weather station northwest of Boyd.

Thunderstorm Wind in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 21:14:00 to 17-JUL-15 21:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENSON ARPT
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A measured wind gust of 53 knots was reported by the Benson County Airport wind sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:00:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMBURG
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A measured wind gust of 59 knots was reported by a private weather station near Hamburg.

Tornado in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 22:56:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW GERMANY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A storm survey indicated that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Hollywood Township in Carver County. The tornado spun up seven miles west-southwest of Watertown and continued east-northeast to two miles west-southwest of Watertown. The most damage occurred as the tornado crossed Vega Avenue where numerous trees were snapped and some minor structural damage was found. An apple orchard was also damaged with this tornado. There was a private weather station that measured a 99 mph wind gust before it blew off the roof. The path length was 5.1 miles long with a maximum wind speed of 105 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 21:20:00 to 17-JUL-15 21:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONTEVIDEO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Large construction barricades were blown over in Montevideo.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:27:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONG LAKE
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A measured wind gust of 50 knots was reported by a private weather station near Long Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:36:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOLDEN VLY
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A measured wind gust of 53 knots was reported by a private weather station near Golden Valley.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 20:25:00 to 17-JUL-15 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHOKIO
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

There were several reports of downed power lines and trees around the Chokio and Alberta area.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 22:55:00 to 17-JUL-15 22:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW GERMANY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A roof was blown off a house on Vega Avenue, south of New Germany.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:40:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDINA
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A measured wind gust of 58 knots was reported by a private weather station near Edina.

Thunderstorm Wind in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:53:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: (STP)ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AIRPORT HOLMAN FIELD
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A measured wind gust of 54 knots was reported by the St. Paul Airport ASOS sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:50:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST ANTHONY
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A measured wind gust of 61 knots was reported by a private mobile weather station near New Brighton. In addition, there were uprooted trees from New Brighton, northeast to Shoreview.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 20:31:00 to 17-JUL-15 20:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSEN
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The local emergency manager reported wind damage, with large trees and tree limbs blown down throughout the county. A machine shed roof was damaged in Louisburg. Corn laid down and was damaged near Rosen. Power lines were blown down in Madison.

Thunderstorm Wind in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 21:20:00 to 17-JUL-15 21:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: SWIFT FALLS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large tree limb was blown off and landed on a tent in the Swift Falls Campground. One individual was injured in the tent.

Thunderstorm Wind in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 21:38:00 to 17-JUL-15 21:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILLMAR
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large tree was toppled in Willmar.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:12:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST BONIFACIUS
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A severe squall line that moved out of Carver County, and into Hennepin County produced significant tree, power pole and power line damage. Reports of numerous large trees were toppled or uprooted from the Hennepin, Carver County line, near Saint Bonifacius, to 4 miles northeast of Minnetrista, then east-northeast toward Maple Plain, Spring Lake and Orono. Numerous trees had diameters of over 12 inches. One of the hardest hit areas was near Saint Bonifacius, where a barn and silo were damaged. The Spirit of the Lakes Festival had several tents blown down, with lots of reports of wires and sparking.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-15 23:30:00 to 17-JUL-15 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROBBINSDALE
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A large bow echo surged across eastern Hennepin County causing numerous downed trees and power lines. Some of the trees were 12 inches in diameter. There were also several measured reports of severe wind gusts from private weather stations in Hennepin County. One measured wind gust was 58 knots. In addition, the Spirit of the Lakes Festival had shelters and tents blown down. The Spring Park City Hall had a tree blown down. At one point, 33,000 Xcel Energy customers were out of power in Hennepin County.