Thunderstorms flared up across southern Cass County (North Dakota) on the afternoon of August 26th, dropping some large hail. After a several hour break, another storm intensified and dropped large hail over north central Becker and southern Mahnomen counties in Minnesota. Then after 8 pm CDT, a line of storms from north central North Dakota spread into the Devils Lake region. These storms produced damaging wind gusts. After 9 pm CDT, another line of storms formed ahead of the Devils Lake line, and these also tracked to the east. This line brought hail and damaging wind gusts to the Valley City and Grand Forks areas. Eventually, both lines of storms moved into the central and northern Red River Valley, then progressed into northwest Minnesota. As they did, they continued to produce damaging winds. Within the lines, several long track tornadoes also formed. Both of these occurred from the northeast corner of Norman County up toward the Lower Red Lake in Minnesota. Quite a bit of tree damage resulted along this track.

Thunderstorm Wind in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 21:37:00 to 26-AUG-18 21:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST VINCENT
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by Minnesota DOT RWIS sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 21:38:00 to 26-AUG-18 21:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTHCOTE
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a NDAWN sensor. Trees were uprooted in this area and power poles were snapped. Numerous power outages were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 21:43:00 to 26-AUG-18 21:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROAN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Three inch diameter tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 21:43:00 to 26-AUG-18 21:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: MATTSON
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a NDAWN sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 21:44:00 to 26-AUG-18 21:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIG WOODS
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 21:50:00 to 26-AUG-18 21:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: VIKING
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees were blown down causing power outages.

Thunderstorm Wind in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 21:54:00 to 26-AUG-18 21:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: HALLOCK ARPT
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

Thunderstorm Wind in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 21:55:00 to 26-AUG-18 21:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: DONALDSON
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a Minnesota DOT RWIS sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:05:00 to 26-AUG-18 22:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE BRONSON ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Branches were blown down in a yard.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:30:00 to 26-AUG-18 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ESPELIE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Two trees were blown down in a farm yard. In addition, 2.25 inches of rain fell.

Hail in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 17:16:00 to 26-AUG-18 17:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITE EARTH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Dime to quarter sized hail fell with very heavy rain.

Hail in MAHNOMEN, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 17:40:00 to 26-AUG-18 17:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: NAYTAHWAUSH
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: County Official

The hail fell at the Tulaby Lake boat ramp.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:51:00 to 26-AUG-18 22:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOSSTON MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The wind gusts were measured at the Fosston airport. The wind sensor lost power and stopped reporting, so the peak winds could have been higher.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 23:04:00 to 26-AUG-18 23:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLEARBROOK
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Pine trees were blown down.

Hail in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 27-AUG-18 00:35:00 to 27-AUG-18 00:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: (BJI)BEMIDJI ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The hail was accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 27-AUG-18 00:55:00 to 27-AUG-18 00:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: PENNINGTON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple trees were blown down along a five mile stretch of highway 39.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 23:35:00 to 26-AUG-18 23:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAUM
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several large trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in MAHNOMEN, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:38:00 to 26-AUG-18 22:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEJOU
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Many 6 to 8 inch diameter tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:40:00 to 26-AUG-18 22:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINGER
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Trees were blown down onto highway 59.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE OF THE WOODS, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 23:02:00 to 26-AUG-18 23:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAUNCE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

A Minnesota DNR aerial survey showed that numerous trees were blown down in patches along a downburst corridor extending from southwest to northeast through the Carp area to near Clementson.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE OF THE WOODS, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 23:12:00 to 26-AUG-18 23:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARP
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Numerous pine and poplar trees were snapped in a southwest to northeast downburst wind pattern near Carp. Minnesota DNR aerial imagery showed successive microburst damage from south-southwest of Carp, through Carp, and continuing toward Clementson.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE OF THE WOODS, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 23:22:00 to 26-AUG-18 23:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLEMENTSON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Minnesota DNR aerial photos showed large areas of blowdown timber, stretching along a southwest to northeast diagonal from about 26 miles south of Williams, near the Beltrami County line, to this location southwest of Clementson. Hundreds of pine trees appeared to have been blown down in successive microbursts along the overall downburst path.

Tornado in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 23:50:00 to 26-AUG-18 23:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: WASKISH MUNI ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees were blown down along a narrow track in the Red Lake State Forest, some falling across highway 72. Some of the trees appeared to have been snapped and thrown onto the road. Peak winds were estimated at 90 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:45:00 to 26-AUG-18 22:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MALCOLM
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees and branches were blown down near the Northwood Church.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAKE OF THE WOODS, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 23:45:00 to 26-AUG-18 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLEMENTSON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Numerous trees were twisted and snapped at the Clementson resort.

Tornado in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:30:00 to 26-AUG-18 22:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUNDAHL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down roughly 9 miles southwest of Winger, in Norman County. The tornado was likely wrapped in downburst winds and rain and it damaged numerous barns, sheds, and outbuildings along its path. The tornado crossed into Polk County, eventually ending about 4 miles northwest of Fosston at 1149 pm CDT.

Tornado in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:36:00 to 26-AUG-18 22:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: RINDAL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado began in Norman County at 1130 pm CDT. As it crossed into Polk County, it continued to damage numerous barns, sheds, and outbuildings along its path and was likely wrapped in downburst winds and rain. The tornado hit the town of Winger, where it damaged hundreds of trees, damaged the siding and roofs on many homes, and destroyed several grain bins.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:50:00 to 26-AUG-18 22:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: FASSTON
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Many small and large tree branches were blown down in town.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:51:00 to 26-AUG-18 22:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOSSTON
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A cell phone tower was crumbled and bent to the ground and two satellite receiver dishes were destroyed. The roofs were ripped off of two tall grain storage bins. Peak straight line wind gusts were estimated at 90 to 100 mph.

Tornado in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:51:00 to 26-AUG-18 22:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: FASSTON
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado tracked intermittently from 3 miles north-northeast of Fosston to 9 miles north-northeast of Leonard (in Clearwater County), a total of about 26 miles. Hundreds of trees were damaged, uprooted, or snapped along the track. Numerous cabins, farm outbuildings, houses, campers, boats, and crops were also damaged. The tornado was likely wrapped in downburst winds and rain at times.

Tornado in CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 22:58:00 to 26-AUG-18 23:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINE LAKE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This storm began 3 miles north-northeast of Fosston (in Polk County) at 1151 pm CDT. This tornado tracked intermittently from 3 miles north-northeast of Fosston to 9 miles north-northeast of Leonard (in Clearwater County), a total of about 26 miles. Hundreds of trees were damaged, uprooted, or snapped along the track. Numerous cabins, farm outbuildings, houses, campers, boats, and crops were also damaged. The tornado was likely wrapped in downburst winds and rain at times.

Hail in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 26-AUG-18 23:30:00 to 26-AUG-18 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SNELLMAN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

The hail fell on the east side of Toad Lake.