A cluster of thunderstorms developed over eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota the evening of Wednesday July 20th. The outflow from the storms coalesced into a couple of main bow echoes that quickly sped across northeast and central Minnesota during the wee hours of the morning of Thursday July 21st. The multi-bow storm quickly spread across northern and central Minnesota in the hours before sunrise, causing extensive damage across the region from widespread straight-line winds of 60 to 80 mph. One of the hardest hit areas was Duluth, with a couple wind gust reports around 100 mph. The bow echo that moved through far northern Minnesota killed two people in Quetico Provincial Park, only about 1 mile into Canada from the Boundary Waters Wilderness area of far northern Minnesota.  Power was out to 75,000 customers. many homes were without power for as long as a week.  lost power because of so many downed power lines.  One hundred power poles were damaged and needed replacing. Minnesota Power, the main provider of power in northeast Minnesota, described the storm and its resulting devastation in Duluth, as the worst in at least a half century.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:53:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: DULUTH SKY HARBOR APT
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

This was the station at Sky Harbor Airport. The station's identification is DYT.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:57:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: COOK
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees were blown down in the Cook area.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:45:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONGVILLE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees and power lines were blown down in Longville.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 03:20:00 to 21-JUL-16 03:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: LARSMONT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: COOP Observer

A tree fell on a cabin.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:52:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: OUTING
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Many trees were blown down near Washburn Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:45:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: (P39)PEQUOT LAKES
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: State Official

Many trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:48:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: NISSWA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: State Official

Many trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:32:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: DULUTH INTL ARPT
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:40:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: KABETOGAMA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were two 2.5' diameter trees uprooted near the Ash River.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:54:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLOODWOOD
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: COOP Observer

There were many trees blown down, including some that were uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in KOOCHICHING, MINNESOTA
From 20-JUL-16 23:51:00 to 20-JUL-16 23:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND FALLS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: State Official

There were a few trees blown down on County Road 31 and Highway 6 in Big Falls.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:37:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWBILL LNDG
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

There were over 70 trees blown over on and near Browns Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:16:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: HILL CITY
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: Public

There were numerous trees snapped near Hill City.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:03:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRAINERD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The emergency manager estimated gusts to around 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:38:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

There were multiple trees and power lines blown down in and around Ely. A roof was blown off an enclosed softball shed at the school.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:25:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: BACKUS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

There were numerous trees blown down in Backus.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:33:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURNSIDE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Newspaper

The boathouse at the historic Burntside Lodge was destroyed and numerous trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:16:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: AITKIN
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The wind caused downed trees and structural damage to a home. A previously secured deck was thrown to the other side of a home.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:37:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWBILL LNDG
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

There were over 70 trees blown over on and near Browns Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:55:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENA
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:01:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASS LAKE
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The gust was recorded by the Cass Lake remote automatic weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:32:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURNSIDE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Newspaper

There were about 200 trees blown down at Camp Van Vac on Burntside Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:03:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOREST CENTER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Severe thunderstorm winds knocked down numerous trees near the Prairie Portage area of Basswood Lake right on and near the Canadian border. Trees were blown down near the campsite of 9 campers who were affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America. One woman (age 39) and one boy (age 13) were killed when trees fell on their tent. Two other campers were injured with non-life-threatening injuries. The campers were technically in Canada, but added this to the event record for historical purposes since the campers were so close to the US border.

Thunderstorm Wind in COOK, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:37:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: LUTSEN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

There were many trees blown down. The largest diameter trees were 16 to 20. There were some trees uprooted and sheared off.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:02:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: REMER MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A 12 diameter tree broke near the ground and partially uprooted. There were several other smaller trees snapped off higher up off the ground.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:37:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: DULUTH SKY HARBOR APT
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

This was the maximum wind gust hear over the voice line into the weather station. It was not reported in the following observation.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARLTON, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:20:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLOQUET
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

There were numerous trees blown down across Cloquet, which was reported from a retired NWS employee.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:25:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: DULUTH HGTS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

There were multiple power lines down along Anderson Road near Duluth's Coffee Creek neighborhood between Central Entrance and Highway 53 in Duluth.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:29:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: DULUTH
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The Duluth Board of Trade Building in downtown Duluth was damaged. The chimney was first struck by lightning, then strong winds knocked it down and it crashed through the roof of the seventh floor. The damage also affected the storage room for costumes for the Minnesota Ballet. The anemometer is on top of the nearby county government building, which measured gusts to around 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:13:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOREST CENTER
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:23:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DLH)DULUTH INTL ARP
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

There was a power line down at the corner of Highway 53 and Ugstad Road. There numerous trees and large branches down near this location.

Thunderstorm Wind in ITASCA, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:20:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND RPDS SUGAR ARP
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were numerous trees blown down, including an uprooted 12 diameter spruce.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:20:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARTLETT
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous trees were blown down on the northwest side of Caribou Lake on Birch Point Road. A pontoon boat was flipped over on Caribou Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in ITASCA, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:55:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: INGER
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:35:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTERS PARK
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A 90' tall tree was blown down and laying across 52nd Avenue East.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:35:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: KABETOGAMA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees were uprooted on the south side of Lake Kabetogama.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:05:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: PROSIT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A larger than 10 diameter popple tree fell with power lines wrapped in it along the west side Aerie Lake. There were many 8 to 10 diameter popple trees down along Highway 47.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:36:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: DULUTH
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Coast Guard

This was the weather station DULM5.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:04:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALBORN
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: COOP Observer

The winds blew down a 100 yard wide swath of trees just south of Alborn near Highway 7.

Thunderstorm Wind in ITASCA, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:25:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARCELL
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

There were trees blown down near Antler Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:25:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: HERMANTOWN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

There were a few large trees blown down in front of the Deerfield Townhomes.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:23:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: HERMANTOWN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

There were trees down along Ugstad Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:10:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURNETT
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

There were numerous trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:26:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: DULUTH HGTS
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A Holiday gas station near the intersection of Arrowhead and Rice Lake Roads in Duluth took heavy damage to its roof structure over the gas pumps.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:55:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOREST CENTER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

There was at least one large tree blown down at the Kawishiwi Lodge on Lake One.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:50:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANHATTAN BEACH
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several large oak trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:35:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: MINNEWAWA
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

There were multiple trees and power lines blown down near Big Sandy Lake Reservoir and Lake Minnewawa.

Thunderstorm Wind in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:07:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: HILL CITY QUANDA ARP
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: RAWS

This measurement was from station HCYM5.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:10:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: CANYON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were a lot of large trees blown down along Highway 53 south of Canyon.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:25:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: DULUTH HGTS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were two large birch trees snapped off. The power was out.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:28:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARNOLD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were several trees down on the roads.

Thunderstorm Wind in ITASCA, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:24:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND RAPIDS ARPT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

There were large tree branches up to 10 in diameter blown down on the northeast side of Grand Rapids.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:20:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: AH GWAN CHING
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

There were numerous trees blown down near Big Bass Lake, including at least 130 trees on Big Bass Lake Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:16:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENNETTVILLE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Numerous trees were damaged or blown down near Little Pine Lake and Hickory Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:30:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELDES CORNER
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

This was a Minnesota Department of Transportation weather station on Interstate 35 at Thompson Hill. The station is MM248.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:18:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOWER MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

There were numerous trees blown down in Tower. A vehicle was damaged by a fallen tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:48:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: CROSS LAKE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Fifteen trees were blown down in the individual's yard.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:30:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTERS PARK
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A large tree fell and damaged a vehicle.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARLTON, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:11:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWYER
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Newspaper

Campers and recreational vehicles were damaged when numerous trees were blown down at the Big Lake Shores Campground.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARLTON, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:20:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: SCOTTS CORNER
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Numerous trees were blown down between Chub Lake and Hay Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:35:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINE RIVER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An 18 to 24 diameter tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 00:45:00 to 21-JUL-16 00:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANHATTAN BEACH
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were numerous large trees blown down along Highway 1.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:25:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DLH)DULUTH INTL ARP
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A tree fell down onto the wires for a 150' tall radio tower, which pulled down the tower. The tower crashed onto part of a home and caused damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:32:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTERS PARK
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

There were numerous trees down in the Lakeside neighborhood on London Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:21:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOUR CORNERS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

There were numerous trees down along Minnesota Highway 194 just west of Highway 53.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:25:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DLH)DULUTH INTL ARP
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

A large branch was down at the National Weather Service office in Duluth, near the airport, and which narrowly missed the cars of two employees.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:38:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELY
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A softball dugout was destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:14:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOWER MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

There were numerous trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in COOK, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 03:13:00 to 21-JUL-16 03:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARAIS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Three trees were blown down. One downed tree was a 2 to 3 foot diameter pine tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 01:18:00 to 21-JUL-16 01:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: AITKIN
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

There were numerous trees blown down in the Aitkin area.

Thunderstorm Wind in AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 21-JUL-16 02:50:00 to 21-JUL-16 02:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSE CITY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were multiple large popple and spruce trees down.