By the early evening of August 28th, an area of surface low pressure had moved into southwest North Dakota, with a cold front extending north and south of it. To the east, a warm front stretched from northwest to southeast Minnesota. Between the cold and warm fronts, temperatures were in the low 80s with dew points in the low 70s. Thunderstorms broke out along the warm front over Kittson County, then they expanded southeastward during the evening. The storms produced tornadoes, hail, and heavy rain.

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 29-AUG-16 02:40:00 to 29-AUG-16 02:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARKERS PRAIRIE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The hail was mostly pea and dime size.

Hail in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 17:25:00 to 28-AUG-16 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: HALMA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Tornado in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 19:02:00 to 28-AUG-16 19:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREENVIEW
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Public

This thin rope-like tornado was observed from a point about six miles east of Nielsville, Minnesota. The tornado tracked through open farm fields. Peak winds were estimated at 70 mph.

Hail in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 19:50:00 to 28-AUG-16 19:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERTILE ARPT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The hail fell in sheets.

Tornado in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 20:04:00 to 28-AUG-16 21:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLAMING
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Reported by: Law Enforcement

This multi-vortex tornado was observed from several locations near the Polk/Norman county line, before it became rain-wrapped. It tracked to the southeast in a jagged and intermittent fashion, with peak winds estimated at 115 mph. Hundreds of trees were uprooted, snapped, or damaged along the track. A barn was destroyed and power poles snapped at one locale, while house roofs and exterior walls were damaged at two others.

Hail in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 20:05:00 to 28-AUG-16 20:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERTILE
Magnitude: 2.50 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Very large hail covered the ground.

Hail in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 20:37:00 to 28-AUG-16 20:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERTILE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: State Official

Flash Flood in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 22:00:00 to 29-AUG-16 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERTILE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Over five inches of rain fell in less than two hours across southern Garfield and Liberty townships. Area farm fields, farm access roads, and streets in Fertile were flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 21:23:00 to 28-AUG-16 21:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: ADA
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured at the Ada NDAWN mesonet site. Several large tree branches and limbs were blown down across northern McDonaldsville Township and within the town of Ada. Southeast of Ada, the roof panels were peeled of a large 60 by 100 foot steel clad shop, causing the interior rafters to collapse.

Flash Flood in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 22:20:00 to 29-AUG-16 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLAMING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Four to eight inches of rain fell in about two hours across eastern Spring Creek and Sundal townships, resulting in flooded fields and farm access roads.

Hail in MAHNOMEN, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 22:30:00 to 28-AUG-16 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAUBUN
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: Public

Large hail and very strong winds caused considerable crop damage across western Popple Grove Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 22:45:00 to 28-AUG-16 22:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: OGEMA
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Numerous large tree branches were blown down in shelterbelts across Spring Creek and Riceville townships.

Hail in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 22:15:00 to 28-AUG-16 22:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLOM
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Public

Large hail and strong winds caused considerable damage to crops across Fossom Township.

Hail in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 20:53:00 to 28-AUG-16 20:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERTILE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 19:14:00 to 28-AUG-16 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELTRAMI
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A brief touchdown occurred in an open farm field just east of Beltrami. The tornado was observed by a spotter located about four miles east of Beltrami. Peak winds were estimated at 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 20:53:00 to 28-AUG-16 20:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERTILE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Strong winds were reported.

Hail in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 28-AUG-16 20:40:00 to 28-AUG-16 20:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLAMING
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Trained Spotter