After some thunderstorms rolled through the U. S. Highway 2 corridor during the evening of the 11th and early morning hours of the 12th, conditions set up for a larger outbreak of severe weather on the afternoon of the 12th. Afternoon temperatures along the Red River Valley into portions of west central Minnesota topped out in the lower 90s with dew points in the low to mid 70s. A stationary boundary set up from northeast North Dakota into west central Minnesota and upper level winds were very favorable to sustain storms. Numerous thunderstorms formed during the late afternoon and evening which produced large hail, tornadoes, and funnel clouds.

Tornado in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:07:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: DORAN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters located two miles southwest of Doran viewed and photographed the tornado near highway 75 west-southwest of Doran. The tornado briefly touched down in a bean field. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:47:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTERN
Magnitude: 2.50 
Reported by: Public

The hail fell across northwest Aastad Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:50:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: OTTERTAIL
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Numerous four to eight inch diameter tree branches and limbs were blown down around Ottertail, along with several power lines.

Tornado in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:00:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VINING
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A brief touchdown was viewed and photographed by spotters located near Vining. A few trees in a shelterbelt were snapped roughly eight to ten feet above ground level. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.

Tornado in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:21:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELBOW LAKE ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The tornado snapped or uprooted several trees through a field shelterbelt just west of the airport and a farmstead grove just south of the airport. Peak winds were estimated at 90 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:25:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: LYMAN
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous oak and pine trees were blown down or snapped across southern Compton and northern Oak Valley townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:35:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERNDALE
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous oak and pine trees were snapped and other large branches and limbs were blown down across southern Wadena Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:39:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHBY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

At least one oak tree and numerous oak and poplar branches and limbs were blown down across northwest Pelican Lake township.

Hail in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:40:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: ERDAHL
Magnitude: 2.50 
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Very large hail and damaging winds decimated several sections of corn and beans across southeastern Sanford and southern Erdahl townships.

Funnel Cloud in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 15:03:00 to 12-JUL-15 15:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWNDALE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The funnel was observed from two and a half miles south-southeast of Barnesville.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 15:50:00 to 12-JUL-15 15:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTHLAND
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several three to five inch diameter tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:05:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOFFMAN
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous trees were blown down along the highway 55 corridor between Barrett and Hoffman.

Hail in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:20:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: KITTSON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in RED LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:45:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: TERREBONNE
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Public

Hail in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 22:05:00 to 12-JUL-15 22:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHBY
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:05:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARGYLE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several older trees were knocked over in addition to some three to five inch diameter branches.

Funnel Cloud in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:05:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: DORAN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:14:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMPBELL
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Funnel Cloud in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:48:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: WENDELL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Funnel Cloud in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:03:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEER CREEK
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Funnel Cloud in PENNINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:55:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: THIEF RIVER FALLS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:10:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEER CREEK
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Trees were blown down and gardens flattened.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:20:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: ESPELIE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Fallen trees led to power outages.

Funnel Cloud in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:44:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERNDALE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A persistent wall with a brief funnel was reported.

Funnel Cloud in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:22:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARRETT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

The funnel was observed from Herman.

Hail in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:44:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOXHOME
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:58:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: COMSTOCK
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Hail in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 15:04:00 to 12-JUL-15 15:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWNDALE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

The large hail was accompanied by strong winds.

Hail in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:05:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLVERTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 15:36:00 to 12-JUL-15 15:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROTHSAY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Quarter sized hail covered Interstate 94 near mile marker 42.

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 15:54:00 to 12-JUL-15 15:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARLISLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Widespread hail and wind damage occurred across central Oscar Township. Area wheat and corn fields were flattened and desiccated.

Tornado in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 15:59:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELIZABETH
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Trained Spotter

This tornado was viewed from near Elizabeth. The tornado snapped numerous large tree branches and limbs along its path. Peak winds were estimated at 85 mph.

Tornado in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:44:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: DALTON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

This tornado occurred about a mile west of Interstate 94, near mile marker 62. The tornado crossed a small lake and briefly expanded in size, but then dissipated quickly. Peak winds were estimated at 75 mph.

Tornado in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:48:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: BALMORAL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: Trained Spotter

This tornado tracked for about two miles along and north of county road 16. The tornado snapped numerous pine trees and broke down large oak branches and limbs along its path. Peak winds were estimated at 90 mph. The tornado was viewed and photographed by spotters near Vining.

Funnel Cloud in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 15:47:00 to 12-JUL-15 15:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: EVERDELL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A persistent wall cloud with funnel was observed.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 18:05:00 to 12-JUL-15 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOFFMAN
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Many large trees were blown down along highway 55 between Barrett and Hoffman.

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:45:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALDRICH
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees and power lines were blown down between Verndale and Aldrich, in southern Aldrich Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:52:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALDRICH
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Widespread tree damage occurred along county road 2 through the area just north of the Staples airport. Numerous power poles were snapped and large tree branches and limbs were blown down across southern Thomastown Township.

Tornado in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:14:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMPBELL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple spotters viewed and photographed this rope funnel as it briefly touched down in an open field. Peak winds were estimated at 70 mph.

Tornado in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 17:38:00 to 12-JUL-15 17:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERNDALE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado wrapped in heavy rain and damaging downburst winds tracked across southern Wadena and Aldrich townships. The tornado tore down four sets of H-pole high voltage power poles and demolished outbuildings and a storage barn at the England Prairie Pioneer Farms. The tornado also demolished a silo and ripped through sections of center pivot irrigation systems at multiple locations. Peak winds were estimated at 120 mph.

Tornado in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-15 16:31:00 to 12-JUL-15 16:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: WENDELL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: State Official

There were multiple sightings of this tornado as it tracked along the Grant and Otter Tail county line. The tornado touched down intermittently along its path. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.