The summer of 2020 had more hot days than 2019, and July 17, 2020 was one of those hot days, with the exception of the Lake of the Woods region. Afternoon high temperatures ranged in the 80s to low 90s, with dew points in the mid 60s to mid 70s. During the early afternoon, a line of thunderstorms over north central North Dakota moved into the Devils Lake region. By the early evening, showers and storms covered most of the area north of Interstate 94 in North Dakota, and highway 10 in Minnesota. By mid to late evening, these showers and storms continued to sag southward, covering the rest of eastern North Dakota and west central Minnesota. These storms produced large hail and damaging wind gusts. In addition, most areas received from 1 to 4 inches of rain.

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 19:30:00 to 17-JUL-20 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MENAHGA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Strong winds damaged a porch.

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 19:39:00 to 17-JUL-20 19:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: (PKD)PARK RAPIDS ARP
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The wind gust was measured at the Park Rapids airport.

Hail in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 19:40:00 to 17-JUL-20 19:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARK RAPIDS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 15:49:00 to 17-JUL-20 15:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIG WOODS
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:05:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: EAST GRAND FORKS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Many large branches were blown down around town. A large old tree was snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:29:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWFOLDEN
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

A baseball dugout was blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 19:45:00 to 17-JUL-20 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEBEKA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

The wind gust was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 19:50:00 to 17-JUL-20 19:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: OKELEY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 20:30:00 to 17-JUL-20 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEBEKA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A second blast of wind hit, breaking down several branches in a yard.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:40:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELDRED
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees and power lines were blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:45:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MENTOR
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Tree damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:45:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLT
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Hail in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 20:31:00 to 17-JUL-20 20:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLUFFTON
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 20:44:00 to 17-JUL-20 20:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERNDALE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Social Media

Thunderstorm Wind in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 21:50:00 to 17-JUL-20 21:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOFFMAN
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in PENNINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:46:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: THIEF RIVER FALLS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Trees were uprooted on the northwest side of town.

Thunderstorm Wind in PENNINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:49:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: (TVF)THIEF RVR FALLS
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

The wind gust was measured at the Thief River Falls airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:55:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAPLE BAY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

At least one tree was blown down onto a camper at the Polk County Park. Large trees were blown down at various locations around Maple Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 17:20:00 to 17-JUL-20 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PERLEY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Trees were blown down in a shelterbelt.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 17:30:00 to 17-JUL-20 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: KRAGNES
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees were blown down in a yard.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 17:37:00 to 17-JUL-20 17:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLEARBROOK
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

A small tree was blown down in town.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 17:55:00 to 17-JUL-20 17:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLYNDON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Roofing was torn off a trailer home.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 18:03:00 to 17-JUL-20 18:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALIDA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Numerous large branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 18:10:00 to 17-JUL-20 18:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILTON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 18:15:00 to 17-JUL-20 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOLWAY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Large trees were blown down, blocking a road.

Thunderstorm Wind in BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 18:35:00 to 17-JUL-20 18:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEMIDJI
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Branches and power lines were blown down near the university.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 18:37:00 to 17-JUL-20 18:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAMARAC REFUGE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees were blown down onto Many Point Scout Camp Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 18:50:00 to 17-JUL-20 18:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE PARK
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A large tree was snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 19:20:00 to 17-JUL-20 19:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSAGE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees were blown down onto highway 34.

Hail in BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 19:24:00 to 17-JUL-20 19:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSAGE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

Tornado in MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 17-JUL-20 15:54:00 to 17-JUL-20 15:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARGYLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 350.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado was partially embedded in downburst winds and heavy rain. It tracked through one farmyard and across the town of Argyle, and ended about 1 mile east of town. Grain bins were crumpled, trees snapped, and shingles torn off roofs. In Argyle, a tall grain bin was caved in and its top conveyor was torn off at the elevator complex, and the bleachers were tossed at the baseball field.