A cold front moved into the northwest quarter of Minnesota during the evening of the 11th into the early morning hours of the 12th. Ahead of this cold front, temperatures over the northwest quarter of Minnesota during the early evening of the 11th ranged well into the 80s, with dew points in the middle 70s, so it was very warm and muggy. Thunderstorms broke out along the front, producing funnel clouds, tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts.

Funnel Cloud in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 19:15:00 to 11-JUL-18 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LENGBY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Funnel Cloud in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 20:10:00 to 11-JUL-18 20:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: PONEMAH
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

The funnel cloud was first viewed over Lower Red Lake, west of Ponemah, from Red Lake and other locations.

Hail in CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 20:34:00 to 11-JUL-18 20:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAGLEY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

The hail fell with very heavy rain.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 19:50:00 to 11-JUL-18 19:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: WASKISH
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

A camper-trailer was blown over and large tree branches were blown down at a campsite along the northeast edge of Upper Red Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 20:30:00 to 11-JUL-18 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WASKISH
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

A few trees were blown down along highway 72 near the Red Lake Wildlife Management Area.

Hail in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 20:59:00 to 11-JUL-18 20:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAUM
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Public

Dime to nickel sized hail fell along with strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 21:02:00 to 11-JUL-18 21:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAUM
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A Beltrami County deputy reported trees blown down onto county road 106, north of Saum and south of the country road 108 intersection.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 22:36:00 to 11-JUL-18 22:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINE PT AGENCY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Crop and tree damage was reported. Trees estimated to be about a foot in diameter were snapped or uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 22:49:00 to 11-JUL-18 22:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARK RAPIDS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Tree damage was observed.

Hail in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-18 00:15:00 to 12-JUL-18 00:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTERSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Public

Hail and very heavy rain fell.

Hail in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 12-JUL-18 00:40:00 to 12-JUL-18 00:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: NIMROD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

The hail was accompanied by very heavy rain.

Tornado in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 20:12:00 to 11-JUL-18 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: PONEMAH
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 20.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Reports of this tornado, along with video, were posted to social media. The tornado touched down just off the shore, over Lower Red Lake. It moved on shore roughly two miles west of Ponemah and continued to track to the east-northeast, for another mile or so, before dissipating. Large poplar and ash tree limbs were broken down along this path. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.

Tornado in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 20:24:00 to 11-JUL-18 20:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: PONEMAH
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 20.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down and tracked along and across the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) 25 road for about two miles, to near the south shore of the Lower Red Lake. Trees were torn up quite violently and debris was spread across nearly a mile of BIA25. Peak winds were estimated at 100 mph.

Tornado in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 11-JUL-18 20:31:00 to 11-JUL-18 20:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAUM
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 4.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Reports of this tornado, along with video, were posted to social media, showing contact and an eastward track beginning over open water on Lower Red Lake. The tornado tracked onshore about four miles north-northwest of Battle River, and continued on an intermittent east-northeast track for nearly five miles, crossing Beltrami County 23 about four miles north of Saum. Large poplar and pine trees were snapped or uprooted along the damage path. Peak winds were estimated at 100 mph.