July 31, 2008: Widespread Morning Wind Damage Across Western and Southern Minnesota
Environment | Images | Storm Reports
An ideal setup for a derecho (well-organized and long-lived thunderstorm complex) was in place across South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin on the morning of July 31st. A surface stationary front was in place, drapped basically west to east across the area. Warm moist air was continuously overriding this, helping to support thunderstorms. The winds in the mid-levels of the atmosphere (10,000-20,000 ft) were becoming strong from the west, an element important for fast moving thunderstorm evolution.
Indeed, thunderstorms organized and became severe in central to eastern South Dakota on the overnight of July 30th. Aberdeen, South Dakota observed their highest measured wind speed on record, gusting to 100 mph. As the storms evolved into western Minnesota, they continued arcing out posing a strong wind threat. This would oscillate in intensity at times across the NWS Chanhassen forecast area. Wind damage of some degree though occurred almost all the way along its path from the South Dakota border into southeast Minnesota.
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4 am July 31st Surface Weather Map |
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6:26 am Radar Reflectivity |
6:26 am Doppler Radar Velocity |
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Bowing structure evident from north of Montevideo to Wood Lake, with reflectivity drying in the wake. Both are good signatures for strong wind. |
Inbound velocities in excess of 100 kts seen at 11-12 kft. This is known as the rear-inflow jet, a common feature on a well-organized thunderstorm complex. This is particularly strong. At times, a component of these high winds will reach the surface and this appeared to occasionally be the case during the lifecycle of this system. |
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7:49 am Radar Reflectivity |
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Resurging bowing structure nearing St. Peter. This would continue eastward to Owatonna, where a wind gust of 72 mph was measured. |
000 NWUS53 KMPX 011601 LSRMPX PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN 1101 AM CDT FRI AUG 01 2008 ..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 0520 AM HAIL 8 NE MONTEVIDEO 45.03N 95.60W 07/31/2008 M1.75 INCH CHIPPEWA MN LAW ENFORCEMENT 0550 AM TSTM WND GST 4 NW MADISON 45.04N 96.25W 07/31/2008 E70.00 MPH LAC QUI PARLE MN TRAINED SPOTTER TREE DAMAGE. 60 TO 70 MPH WIND GUSTS. 0555 AM HAIL 5 NW MADISON 45.06N 96.26W 07/31/2008 M0.75 INCH LAC QUI PARLE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0600 AM TSTM WND DMG 5 NW MADISON 45.06N 96.26W 07/31/2008 LAC QUI PARLE MN TRAINED SPOTTER TOPS BROKEN OFF TREES 0602 AM HAIL DAWSON 44.93N 96.05W 07/31/2008 E0.75 INCH LAC QUI PARLE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0610 AM TSTM WND DMG DAWSON 44.93N 96.05W 07/31/2008 LAC QUI PARLE MN TRAINED SPOTTER MANY LARGE TREES TOPPLED ACROSS TOWN, ALONG WITH LARGE BRANCHES. SEVERAL LARGE TREES ALSO REPORTED DOWNED OVER LOCAL ROADS. 0610 AM HAIL 4 W MONTEVIDEO 44.95N 95.80W 07/31/2008 M1.75 INCH LAC QUI PARLE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0610 AM HAIL S BOYD 44.85N 95.90W 07/31/2008 M0.75 INCH LAC QUI PARLE MN TRAINED SPOTTER ESTIMATED 50 TO 60 MPH WIND GUST. 0610 AM TSTM WND DMG APPLETON 45.20N 96.02W 07/31/2008 SWIFT MN TRAINED SPOTTER WIND GUSTS ESTIMATED AT 80 MPH. MANY LARGE TREES DOWN AND A SEMI TRUCK BLOWN OVER. 0613 AM TSTM WND GST 2 SSE MADISON 44.99N 96.18W 07/31/2008 M86.00 MPH LAC QUI PARLE MN AWOS 0615 AM HAIL 5 N DANUBE 44.86N 95.10W 07/31/2008 M1.00 INCH RENVILLE MN CO-OP OBSERVER 0615 AM TSTM WND DMG 2 WSW BIG BEND CITY 45.14N 95.86W 07/31/2008 CHIPPEWA MN NWS EMPLOYEE TOP OF 18 INCH DIAMETER TREE SNAPPED OFF. CORN FIELD FLATTENED. 0615 AM TSTM WND DMG APPLETON 45.20N 96.02W 07/31/2008 SWIFT MN BROADCAST MEDIA TREES DOWN IN TOWN. 0615 AM TSTM WND DMG MADISON 45.01N 96.19W 07/31/2008 LAC QUI PARLE MN BROADCAST MEDIA WOOD FENCE SNAPPED AND TIN ROOF DAMAGED AT RADIO STATION. NUMEROUS TREES DOWN AROUND TOWN...MANY ROADS BLOCKED. FLAG POLE DOWN. POWER LINES DOWN. ROAD SIGNS DOWN. 0615 AM TSTM WND DMG MILAN 45.11N 95.91W 07/31/2008 CHIPPEWA MN CO-OP OBSERVER NUMEROUS LARGE TREES DOWN AROUND TOWN. POWER LINES DOWN. 0615 AM TSTM WND GST ESE APPLETON 45.20N 96.02W 07/31/2008 E70.00 MPH SWIFT MN TRAINED SPOTTER WINDOWS BREAKING. 0616 AM TSTM WND DMG MADISON 45.01N 96.19W 07/31/2008 LAC QUI PARLE MN AMATEUR RADIO 10 INCH TREE DOWN 0620 AM HAIL 1 N DANUBE 44.81N 95.10W 07/31/2008 M1.00 INCH RENVILLE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0625 AM TSTM WND DMG 4 WNW MILAN 45.14N 95.99W 07/31/2008 CHIPPEWA MN TRAINED SPOTTER THREE LARGE CIRCULAR GRAIN BINS BLOWN OVER. 0637 AM TSTM WND DMG MADISON 45.01N 96.19W 07/31/2008 LAC QUI PARLE MN CO-OP OBSERVER UPROOTED TREES. LIGHT TOWER BENT OVER AT BASEBALL FIELD. 0650 AM TSTM WND DMG OLIVIA 44.78N 95.00W 07/31/2008 RENVILLE MN TRAINED SPOTTER LARGE TREES DOWN BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN. 0650 AM TSTM WND DMG 4 W MONTEVIDEO 44.95N 95.80W 07/31/2008 LAC QUI PARLE MN TRAINED SPOTTER WIND SPEED ESTIMATED AT 60-70 MPH WITH TREES DOWN AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL 0654 AM TSTM WND GST WABASSO 44.40N 95.25W 07/31/2008 M51.00 MPH REDWOOD MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0700 AM TSTM WND DMG 12 NW MURDOCK 45.35N 95.57W 07/31/2008 SWIFT MN TRAINED SPOTTER 130 THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT BUILDING//UNDER CONSTRUCTION// DESTROYED. 0703 AM TSTM WND DMG RAYMOND 45.02N 95.24W 07/31/2008 KANDIYOHI MN LAW ENFORCEMENT TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 0710 AM TSTM WND DMG 3 N MORGAN 44.46N 94.92W 07/31/2008 REDWOOD MN TRAINED SPOTTER TURKEY BARN ROOF BLOWN OFF. 0711 AM TSTM WND DMG PRINSBURG 44.94N 95.19W 07/31/2008 KANDIYOHI MN LAW ENFORCEMENT TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 0713 AM TSTM WND DMG 4 E PRINSBURG 44.94N 95.10W 07/31/2008 KANDIYOHI MN LAW ENFORCEMENT TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 0716 AM TSTM WND DMG BLOMKEST 44.94N 95.02W 07/31/2008 KANDIYOHI MN LAW ENFORCEMENT TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 0716 AM TSTM WND DMG 5 SSE CLARA CITY 44.89N 95.31W 07/31/2008 CHIPPEWA MN TRAINED SPOTTER MANY TREES DOWN OR BROKEN 0720 AM TSTM WND DMG LAKE LILLIAN 44.95N 94.88W 07/31/2008 KANDIYOHI MN LAW ENFORCEMENT TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. 0720 AM TSTM WND GST RAYMOND 45.02N 95.24W 07/31/2008 E60.00 MPH KANDIYOHI MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0723 AM TSTM WND GST 1 SSE RENVILLE 44.78N 95.20W 07/31/2008 M75.00 MPH RENVILLE MN MESONET WEST HIGH SCHOOL. 0727 AM FUNNEL CLOUD 3 W LITCHFIELD 45.12N 94.59W 07/31/2008 MEEKER MN TRAINED SPOTTER FUNNEL DROPPED BRIEFLY THEN WENT BACK UP. 0730 AM TSTM WND DMG 5 W OLIVIA 44.79N 95.11W 07/31/2008 RENVILLE MN TRAINED SPOTTER ONE FOOT DIAMETER TREES DOWN. 0730 AM TSTM WND DMG 4 ESE LE SUEUR 44.44N 93.83W 07/31/2008 LE SUEUR MN TRAINED SPOTTER LARGE TREES TOPPLED IN RESIDENTIAL YARD, ALONG WITH 30 FOOT STEEL WINDMILL. 0734 AM TSTM WND GST 3 W NEW ULM 44.32N 94.52W 07/31/2008 M68.00 MPH BROWN MN AWOS AIRPORT. 0735 AM TSTM WND GST 2 W WINTHROP 44.54N 94.41W 07/31/2008 M62.00 MPH SIBLEY MN MESONET MNDOT. 0742 AM TSTM WND GST 4 N GAYLORD 44.61N 94.22W 07/31/2008 M67.00 MPH SIBLEY MN STORM CHASER 0750 AM TSTM WND DMG 3 ESE NEW SWEDEN 44.45N 94.16W 07/31/2008 NICOLLET MN TRAINED SPOTTER ARM SIZE BRANCHES BROKEN OFF. 0754 AM TSTM WND DMG NEW ULM 44.31N 94.46W 07/31/2008 BROWN MN LAW ENFORCEMENT TREES BLOWN DOWN. 0804 AM TSTM WND GST 4 NNW GREENLAND 44.26N 93.75W 07/31/2008 M65.00 MPH LE SUEUR MN TRAINED SPOTTER ELYSIAN WEATHER STATION. 0807 AM TSTM WND DMG MANKATO 44.17N 93.99W 07/31/2008 BLUE EARTH MN AMATEUR RADIO 4 INCH BRANCHES, 6 TO 10 INCH TREES BLOWN DOWN. 0807 AM TSTM WND GST NNE LE CENTER 44.39N 93.73W 07/31/2008 M84.00 MPH LE SUEUR MN MESONET LE CENTER HIGH SCHOOL. 0814 AM TSTM WND DMG MANKATO 44.17N 93.99W 07/31/2008 BLUE EARTH MN LAW ENFORCEMENT TREES REPORTED DOWN AROUND MANKATO. 0816 AM TSTM WND GST 4 W MORRISTOWN 44.22N 93.53W 07/31/2008 M58.00 MPH RICE MN TRAINED SPOTTER TREES DOWN NEAR HWY 60. 0820 AM FUNNEL CLOUD HOWARD LAKE 45.06N 94.07W 07/31/2008 WRIGHT MN PUBLIC CITIZEN REPORT...NOT CONFIRMED. 0823 AM TSTM WND DMG 1 S MORRISTOWN 44.21N 93.44W 07/31/2008 RICE MN AMATEUR RADIO LARGE HAY BALES BLOWN ACROSS ROAD. 18 INCH DIAMETER TREE BLOWN DOWN. 0824 AM NON-TSTM WND GST REDWOOD FALLS 44.54N 95.11W 07/31/2008 M59.00 MPH REDWOOD MN ASOS 0830 AM HAIL 2 N FREEBORN 43.80N 93.56W 07/31/2008 M0.75 INCH FREEBORN MN TRAINED SPOTTER ESTIMATED 50 MPH WIND GUST. 0830 AM TSTM WND DMG OWATONNA 44.09N 93.22W 07/31/2008 STEELE MN TRAINED SPOTTER LARGE TREES DOWN IN CENTRAL PARK. MINOR STREET FLOODING. PORT-O-POTTY BLOWN 20 FEET. SMALL TO MEDIUM LIMBS ON GROUND...DEBRIS EVERYWHERE. 0833 AM TSTM WND GST 4 N MORRISTOWN 44.28N 93.44W 07/31/2008 M58.00 MPH RICE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0835 AM TSTM WND GST OWATONNA 44.09N 93.22W 07/31/2008 M72.00 MPH STEELE MN AWOS AIRPORT. 0836 AM TSTM WND DMG MANKATO 44.17N 93.99W 07/31/2008 BLUE EARTH MN TRAINED SPOTTER MN VIKINGS TRAINING CAMP TENTS AND CROWD CONTROL FENCES ALL BLOWN DOWN. 8 INCH DIAMETER LIMB OFF TREE...ON MSMU CAMPUS. SEVERAL OTHER 2 TO 4 INCH DIAMETER BRANCHES. POWER OUT IN SOME AREAS...NEAR CAMPUS. 0836 AM TSTM WND DMG 5 S FARIBAULT 44.22N 93.27W 07/31/2008 RICE MN TRAINED SPOTTER SEMI TRUCK BLOWN OVER ON I-35. 0838 AM TSTM WND GST 1 W MORRISTOWN 44.22N 93.46W 07/31/2008 M61.00 MPH RICE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 30 FOOT PINE TREE UPROOTED. 18 INCH DIAMETER TREE DOWN. 0838 AM TSTM WND GST 4 N MORRISTOWN 44.28N 93.44W 07/31/2008 M68.00 MPH RICE MN TRAINED SPOTTER CEDAR LAKE. 0840 AM TSTM WND DMG MEDFORD 44.17N 93.24W 07/31/2008 STEELE MN AMATEUR RADIO MULTIPLE TREES UP TO 24 INCH DIAMETER BLOWN DOWN IN TOWN ROADS BLOCKED. HARDWOODS SNAPPED OFF AT 6 FEET OFF GROUND...PINES ARE UPROOTED. 0840 AM TSTM WND DMG BLOOMING PRAIRIE 43.87N 93.05W 07/31/2008 STEELE MN TRAINED SPOTTER SMALL TREE DOWN...MANY BRANCHES AND OTHER DEBRIS ON LAWNS. 0840 AM TSTM WND DMG 1 N MANCHESTER 43.74N 93.45W 07/31/2008 FREEBORN MN AMATEUR RADIO 8 INCH DIAMETER BRANCH DOWN. 0840 AM TSTM WND DMG OWATONNA 44.09N 93.22W 07/31/2008 STEELE MN AMATEUR RADIO ONE 6 INCH DIAMETER TREE DOWN. ONE 12 TO 18 INCH DIAMETER TREE DOWN. && $$
