Friday, July 24th, was one of the hottest and most humid days of 2020. Afternoon high temperatures ranged from the upper 80s to middle 90s, with dew points in the middle 70s to lower 80s. During the early evening, thunderstorms broke out along two lines, one from Bismarck to northwest of Grand Forks, and the other from Bismarck to west of Fargo. By the late evening, the strongest storms along both lines were converging toward Grand Forks. This brought a period of very strong winds to eastern Grand Forks and eastern Walsh counties, continuing up toward the Lake of the Woods region. Meanwhile, another cluster of storms over south central North Dakota moved east-northeast, tracking through the Fargo-Moorhead area and into west central Minnesota during the overnight hours. These storms also produced some strong wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 24-JUL-20 21:30:00 to 24-JUL-20 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAVIDSON
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a RWIS mesonet sensor along highway 2, near Mallory.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 24-JUL-20 21:50:00 to 24-JUL-20 21:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARREN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 24-JUL-20 22:25:00 to 24-JUL-20 22:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: KARLSTAD
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a RAWS mesonet sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 24-JUL-20 22:35:00 to 24-JUL-20 22:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWFOLDEN
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A tree was blown down at a rural homestead.

Thunderstorm Wind in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 24-JUL-20 23:40:00 to 24-JUL-20 23:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: BORUP
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several 3 to 5 inch diameter branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 25-JUL-20 01:15:00 to 25-JUL-20 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWNDALE
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 25-JUL-20 01:31:00 to 25-JUL-20 01:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: CORMORANT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

An apple tree was blown down on the south side of Big Cormorant Lake. After the storm had passed, 1.58 inches of rain was also measured.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 25-JUL-20 01:42:00 to 25-JUL-20 01:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTBURY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Several 3 to 5 inch diameter tree limbs were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in MAHNOMEN, MINNESOTA
From 25-JUL-20 01:55:00 to 25-JUL-20 01:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAHKONCE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large tree branches were blown down around Island Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 25-JUL-20 02:05:00 to 25-JUL-20 02:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: BASSWOOD
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Numerous trees were uprooted around Dead Lake, with damage to a boat lift.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 25-JUL-20 02:08:00 to 25-JUL-20 02:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICHDALE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees were blown down on the south side of Big Pine Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 25-JUL-20 02:15:00 to 25-JUL-20 02:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICHVILLE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

A mobile home was damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 25-JUL-20 03:10:00 to 25-JUL-20 03:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENEDICT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A few trees were blown down between Kabekona and Benedict lakes.

Tornado in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 25-JUL-20 01:26:00 to 25-JUL-20 01:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROLLAG
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A weak tornado formed in the bookend vortex portion of a squall line. The tornado knocked down sunflowers and left a distinctive swirl pattern. Peak winds were estimated at 65 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 25-JUL-20 01:38:00 to 25-JUL-20 01:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: ERHARD
Magnitude: 83.00 EG
Property damage: 200.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A microburst (downburst wind) likely initiated over the west end of Long Lake and moved rapidly eastward across Long Lake Point Road. A trailer home was blown over and demolished. Several large tree limbs were broken down by the wind, while a pontoon was flipped over by the combination of wave and wind action.