During the early morning hours of July 4th, surface low pressure had set up over north central South Dakota, with an east-to-west warm front extending eastward from the low along the North Dakota/South Dakota border into west central Minnesota. Temperatures across eastern North Dakota and the northwest quarter of Minnesota ranged in the 70s with dew points in the upper 60s to low 70s. The mid level winds (500mb) were from the south-southwest. A bowing line of thunderstorms, stretching from south of Rugby to the North Dakota/South Dakota border moved into portions of the southwest Devils Lake region just after 130 am CDT. Following the mid level wind flow, the storms tracked to the east-northeast, reaching the Red River Valley around 4 am CDT. At this point, the bowing line of storms stretched from southern Manitoba down into northeast South Dakota. This bowing line of storms tracked through the northwest quarter of Minnesota in the 4 to 6 am CDT time frame, so these storms were moving quite quickly. Most of the storms had exited the Baudette to Park Rapids corridor by 7 am CDT. These storms produced widespread damaging winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:21:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: ANGLIM
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tree was snapped in a farm yard.

Thunderstorm Wind in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:34:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: LANCASTER
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:50:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARNESVILLE
Magnitude: 80.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tree were snapped and uprooted around Barnesville. A barn was partially blown off its foundation and collapsed.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:54:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARNESVILLE
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The strong winds were measured by a personal weather station.

Hail in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 04:00:00 to 04-JUL-18 04:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREENBUSH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The hail fell along highway 11.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 04:05:00 to 04-JUL-18 04:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRECKENRIDGE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: COOP Observer

Tree damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 04:13:00 to 04-JUL-18 04:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: CORMORANT
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Trees were blown down on the northwest side of Big Cormorant Lake and several boats were overturned. The roof on one shed was blown off.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 04:34:00 to 04-JUL-18 04:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: PELICAN RAPIDS
Magnitude: 75.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Trees were blown down and one camper was tipped over in the Pelican Hills RV park. A couple of windows were broken on the camper, but there were no injuries to the family inside.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 04:40:00 to 04-JUL-18 04:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERGAS
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

A large pine tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 04:50:00 to 04-JUL-18 04:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAMARAC REFUGE
Magnitude: 75.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Significant tree damage occurred near Elbow and Tulaby lakes, with about a half mile stretch of fallen trees. Six cabins sustained some damage, mostly due to fallen trees. One injury occurred to an individual who was outside during the storm. Ambulance services had to have numerous trees cut down and moved to reach the site.

Hail in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 04:52:00 to 04-JUL-18 04:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOURTOWN
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Public

The hail was accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 04:10:00 to 04-JUL-18 04:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: ESPELIE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 05:15:00 to 04-JUL-18 05:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: (PKD)PARK RAPIDS ARP
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The wind gust was measured at the Park Rapids airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 05:27:00 to 04-JUL-18 05:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW YORK MILLS
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several trees were snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 05:30:00 to 04-JUL-18 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIRCHMONT
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 05:40:00 to 04-JUL-18 05:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLUE GRASS
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Public

One tree was snapped with a lot of other tree damage.

Tornado in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-18 05:18:00 to 04-JUL-18 05:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEMIDJI
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 250.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado occurred west of Bemidji State University. A garage was lifted off its foundation, trees were snapped or uprooted, and several roofs were damaged. Projectiles damaged many windows in the area. Flying debris damaged light poles and street signs in the area.