A bowing line of severe thunderstorms tracked from western into central North Dakota during the evening of Tuesday, July 7th. Slightly after midnight CDT, July 8th, storms out ahead of the main bowing segment entered the Barnes/Griggs county area. Eventually the main bowing segment tracked through Griggs and Steele counties before weakening. North of the main bowing segment, strong winds also tracked through portions of Benson and Ramsey counties. After 3 am CDT, a second bowing line of storms took shape over Richland County, North Dakota, which tracked through Otter Tail County, Minnesota. This segment also produced very strong winds.

Lightning in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 02:05:00 to 08-JUL-20 02:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARNESVILLE
Property damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Lightning ignited a house fire, destroying the home.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 02:05:00 to 08-JUL-20 02:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARNESVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Large tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:19:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: EVERDELL
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:20:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: TENNEY
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a RWIS mesonet sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:20:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROTHSAY
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a RWIS mesonet sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:22:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROTHSAY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees were blown down around town.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:29:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: ERHARD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Trees damage occurred around town.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:30:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: NASHUA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous tree branches were blown down in shelterbelts across Champion Township. A few large trees were also blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:33:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERGUS FALLS
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:34:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELIZABETH
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Large trees were blown down. A tree branch broke through the roof and ceiling of a home on Jewett Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:35:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERGUS FALLS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A wind turbine blade was shattered.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:35:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: (FFM)FERGUS FALLS AR
Magnitude: 72.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The wind gust was measured at the Fergus Falls airport.

Funnel Cloud in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:37:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: FERGUS FALLS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A funnel cloud was observed east of town moving toward Underwood.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 04:04:00 to 08-JUL-20 04:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLITHERALL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Large branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 04:15:00 to 08-JUL-20 04:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHBY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A few large tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 04:30:00 to 08-JUL-20 04:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW YORK MILLS
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple wind gusts during this time frame were measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind in WADENA, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 05:05:00 to 08-JUL-20 05:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: NIMROD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A few large branches were blown down.

Tornado in WILKIN, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:20:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOXHOME
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado began in Wilkin County, but ended in Otter Tail County, on the north side of Fergus Falls. The tornado was wrapped in downburst winds and rain, with a total track length of about 11 miles. The tornado uprooted or snapped numerous trees in shelterbelts along its path. It also snapped a few power poles and tore the roof off and collapsed the walls at a welding and manufacturing shop near the Fergus Falls airport. Peak winds were estimated at 100 mph.

Tornado in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:24:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRENCH
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado began in Wilkin County, but ended in Otter Tail County, on the north side of Fergus Falls. The tornado was wrapped in downburst winds and rain, with a total track length of about 11 miles. The tornado uprooted or snapped numerous trees in shelterbelts along its path. It also snapped a few power poles and tore the roof off and collapsed the walls at a welding and manufacturing shop near the Fergus Falls airport. Peak winds were estimated at 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:32:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTERN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 500.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several large oak trees were snapped across the northern half of Western Township. A wide snarl was evident, indicating a weak embedded circulation in an otherwise downburst pattern.

Tornado in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:38:00 to 08-JUL-20 04:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAINE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado, wrapped in downburst winds and heavy rain, tracked intermittently to the east-northeast for nearly 18 miles. The tornado crossed Pickerel and Long lakes, and ended just before Rush Lake. It uprooted or snapped numerous trees and power poles. In the northeast corner of Long Lake, it tumbled several travel trailers, tore roof sections off a pole shed, and tumbled an irrigation system. Peak winds were estimated at 105 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRANT, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 03:55:00 to 08-JUL-20 03:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELBOW LAKE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A few large branches were blown down in shelterbelts across northern Pomme de Terre Township.

Tornado in OTTER TAIL, MINNESOTA
From 08-JUL-20 04:10:00 to 08-JUL-20 04:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: VINING
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado, wrapped in heavy rain and downburst winds, snapped multiple power poles at three points along its path. It also tossed calving sheds and flipped an irrigation system, while surrounding winds blew down trees in and around its path. Peak winds were estimated at 115 mph.