Grand Forks, ND

Weather Forecast Office

August 14, 2020, Severe Event Including Tornadoes and Flash Flooding

Overview

On the afternoon of August 14th, 2020, a set of storms produced five tornadoes in Grant County, MN. The strongest tornado was EF-2 with maximum winds of 115 mph. The tornadoes caused damage to buildings and structures in addition to uprooting or snapping several trees in the area.

Tornado
Photos & Video
Radar & Satellite
Storm Reports
Rainfall
Environment

Tornadoes:

Tornado - Northeast of Charlesville, MN
Grant County

Date	August 14th, 2020
Time (Local)	338 pm to 340 pm
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	65 mph
Path Length	0.5 miles
Max Width	30 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: This tornado formed and dissipated fairly quickly. It left slight marking in a soybean field as noted by video and damage survey team review.

Track Map

Tornado - Southwest of Wendell, MN
Grant County

Date	August 14th, 2020
Time (Local)	337 pm to 347 pm
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	75 mph
Path Length	4 miles
Max Width	50 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: This tornado formed very quickly to the west-southwest of Elbow Lake and tracked to the south of Wendell or due west of Elbow Lake. It stayed largely over open fields, but left minor markings in corn and soybean field as noted in video and confirmed by a storm damage survey team. Once the tornado lifted, a funnel cloud was evident for several minutes and passed just to the northwest of Elbow Lake.

Tornado - South of Wendell, MN
Grant County

Date	August 14th, 2020
Time (Local)	339 pm to 342 pm
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	70 mph
Path Length	1 mile
Max Width	40 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: This tornado tracked over open field and pasture land, but left slight marking as noted via video and a storm damage survey.

Tornado - Elbow Lake, MN
Grant County

Date	August 14th, 2020
Time (Local)	342 pm to 408 pm
EF Rating	EF-2
Est. Peak Winds	115 mph
Path Length	14 miles
Max Width	250 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: This tornado touched down in far northern Delaware Township, crossed southern Sanford Township, and lifted in northwest Erdahl Township. It crossed US Highway 59 about 2 miles south of Elbow Lake, the south end of Pomme De Terre Lake, and the Tipsinah Mounds Golf Course. It snapped and uprooted numerous trees, several power poles and 4 different locations, and ravaged corn fields. It tore down a small tower and tore roofing and roof sections from homes and golf course clubhouse.

Track Map

Tornado - Northwest of Hoffman, MN
COUNTY NAME

Date	August 14th, 2020
Time (Local)	350 pm to 354 pm
EF Rating	EF-1
Est. Peak Winds	95 mph
Path Length	2 miles
Max Width	150 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: This tornado had a persistent wall cloud for several minutes prior to tornado development. The tornado quickly became rain wrapped as it tracked over Hayer Slough in south-central Elk Lake Township. It snapped or uprooted several trees and tore roofing off of a home and a pole shed before passing over highway 55 as confirmed by a storm survey team.

Track Map

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0 Weak 65-85 mph	EF1 Moderate 86-110 mph	EF2 Significant 111-135 mph	EF3 Severe 136-165 mph	EF4 Extreme 166-200 mph	EF5 Catastrophic 200+ mph

Photos & Video

Header


Tornado west of Barrett, MN, in Grant County. Courtesy of Brad Nelson.	One of several tornadoes in Grant County, MN, near Wendell. Courtesy of Amanda and Nick Elms.	One of several tornadoes in Grant County, MN, near Wendell. Courtesy of Amanda and Nick Elms.	One of several tornadoes in Grant County, MN, near Wendell. Courtesy of Amanda and Nick Elms.


One of several tornadoes in Grant County, MN, near Wendell. Courtesy of Amanda and Nick Elms.	Golf ball sized hail in West Fargo, ND. Courtesy of Nathan Aamodt.	Hail larger than the size of quarters south of Fargo, ND. Courtesy of Jesse Kitka.	Shelf cloud approaching West Fargo, ND. Courtesy of Thusith Abeykoon.

Radar & Satellite

Header

Storm Reports

Map of local storm reports and warnings issued. Further details within this map can be found here.

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
131 AM CDT SAT AUG 15 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1155 PM     TSTM WND DMG     7 ESE PELICAN RAPIDS    46.53N 95.95W 
08/13/2020                   Otter Tail         MN   PARK/FOREST SRVC

            A FEW LAREG TREE BRANCHES AND LIMBS BLOWN DOWN FROM THE 
            EAST SIDE OF LAKE LIDA INTO MAPLEWOOD STATE PARK.

1230 AM     HAIL             2 NNW TOAD LAKE         46.89N 95.51W 
08/14/2020  E1.00 INCH       Becker             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0100 AM     FLASH FLOOD      1 W SHEVLIN             47.53N 95.28W 
08/14/2020                   Clearwater         MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            FLOODING OF FIELDS AND FARM ACCESS ROADS ACROSS SOUTHEAST
            COPLEY AND SOUTHERN SHEVLIN TOWNSHIPS. STREET FLOODING IN
            SHEVLIN. 

0115 AM     HAIL             2 SE PARK RAPIDS        46.90N 95.03W 
08/14/2020  E1.75 INCH       Hubbard            MN   PUBLIC          

            REPORT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA. 

0120 AM     HAIL             3 SE NEVIS              46.93N 94.79W 
08/14/2020  E0.75 INCH       Hubbard            MN   PUBLIC          

0222 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 NNW ROTHSAY           46.50N 96.30W 
08/14/2020  M64.00 MPH       Wilkin             MN   MESONET         

            PEAK WIND MEASURED AT AN RWIS STATION.

0330 AM     FLASH FLOOD      HIGH LANDING            48.05N 95.81W 
08/14/2020                   PENNINGTON         MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            HEAVY RAINS OF FROM 4 TO 5 INCHES FELL ACROSS MUCH OF 
            DEER PARK AND HIGH LANDING TOWNSHIPS. FIELDS AND FARM 
            ACCESS ROADS WERE INUNDATED. RUNOFF QUICKLY RAISED THE 
            RED LAKE RIVER BY TWO FEET. 

0430 AM     HAIL             3 NNE DWIGHT            46.34N 96.71W 
08/14/2020  E1.50 INCH       Richland           ND   PUBLIC          

0530 AM     FLASH FLOOD      4 SSE FERGUS FALLS      46.23N 96.04W 
08/14/2020                   Otter Tail         MN   PUBLIC          

            STREET FLOODING AND PARKING LOT FLOODING NEAR SWAN LAKE.

0610 AM     HAIL             WEST FARGO              46.87N 96.90W
08/14/2020  M1.75 INCH       CASS               ND   PUBLIC           

            PICTURE OF MEASURED GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL VIA 
            SOCIAL MEDIA. 

0618 AM     HAIL             WEST FARGO              46.87N 96.90W 
08/14/2020  E1.50 INCH       CASS               ND   PUBLIC          

            REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA

0622 AM     HAIL             FARGO                   46.88N 96.82W 
08/14/2020  E1.00 INCH       CASS               ND   PUBLIC          

            REPORT WITH PHOTO VIA SOCIAL MEDIA

0658 AM     HAIL             VALLEY CITY             46.92N 98.01W 
08/14/2020  E1.00 INCH       BARNES             ND   COCORAHS         

0710 AM     HAIL             8 W ARGUSVILLE          47.05N 97.11W 
08/14/2020  E1.75 INCH       Cass               ND   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            REPORT AND PHOTO POSTED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME ESTIMATED 
            BASED ON RADAR. 

0714 AM     FLASH FLOOD      FERGUS FALLS            46.28N 96.07W 
08/14/2020                   OTTER TAIL         MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            OTTER TAIL SHERIFFS OFFICE RELAYED REPORT OF WATER IN 
            BASEMENT OF COURTHOUSE WITHIN FERGUS FALLS. ADDITIONALLY,
            PONDING WATER GREATER THAN 6 INCHES IN FRONT OF 
            COURTHOUSE. TOWN PARK NEAR OTTER TAIL RIVER COMPLETELY 
            UNDERWATER GREATER THAN SHOULDER DEEP. 

0725 AM     HAIL             5 W GARDNER             47.14N 97.08W 
08/14/2020  M1.25 INCH       Cass               ND   BROADCAST MEDIA 

0830 AM     FLASH FLOOD      PARKERS PRAIRIE         46.15N 95.33W 
08/14/2020                   OTTER TAIL         MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            LOCALIZED STREET FLOODING AFTER NEARLY 2 INCHES OF RAIN 
            FELL IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES. LOCAL DITCHES, FIELDS,AND FARM 
            ACCESS ROADS FLOODING FROM OVER 4.5 INCHES OF RAIN SINCE 
            ABOUT 130 AM CDT, IN NORTHERN PARKERS PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.

0900 AM     FLASH FLOOD      2 S STAR LAKE           46.50N 95.81W 
08/14/2020                   Otter Tail         MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            REPORT OF 8 INCHES OF WATER FLOWING ACROSS CR 115 AT 
            320TH STREET IN NORTHERN MAINE TOWNSHIP.

0903 AM     FUNNEL CLOUD     ELLIOTT                 46.40N 97.81W 
08/14/2020                   RANSOM             ND   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            POSSIBLE FUNNEL CLOUD NEAR ELLIOTT. DELAYED REPORT.

0908 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 W LISBON              46.44N 97.73W 
08/14/2020  M57.00 MPH       Ransom             ND   MESONET         

            NDAWN SITE MEASURED A 57 MPH WIND GUST.

0914 AM     HAIL             7 N LISBON              46.54N 97.68W 
08/14/2020  E1.00 INCH       Ransom             ND   PUBLIC          

0915 AM     TSTM WND DMG     LISBON                  46.44N 97.68W 
08/14/2020                   Ransom             ND   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            LARGE 3 TO 5 INCH TREE BRANCHES DOWNED ALONG WITH PEA 
            SIZE HAIL.

0930 AM     HAIL             ENDERLIN                46.62N 97.60W 
08/14/2020  E1.00 INCH       RANSOM             ND   PUBLIC  

0935 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 SE COOPERSTOWN        47.42N 98.09W 
08/14/2020  M55.00 MPH       Griggs             ND   AWOS            

            PEAK WIND MEASURED AT THE COOPERSTOWN AIRPORT /KS32/.

0945 AM     TSTM WND GST     5 NNW MCLEOD            46.46N 97.34W 
08/14/2020  M59.00 MPH       Ransom             ND   MESONET         

            PEAK WIND MEASURED AT THE SHEYENNE RAWS STATION.

0950 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 S WILD RICE           46.72N 96.81W 
08/14/2020  E90.00 MPH       Cass               ND   PUBLIC          

            NEAR INTERSECTION OF CASS CO. 16 AND U.S. 81 SOUTH OF 
            WILD RICE. LARGE TREES AND SEVERAL POWER POLES WERE 
            SNAPPED AT THE BASE. A POLE SHED WAS ALSO BLOWN DOWN. 
            REPORT AN PHOTOS POSTED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. PEAK WINDS 
            ESTIMATED TO 90 MPH. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR AND 
            NEARBY OBSERVATION STATIONS.

0954 AM     TSTM WND GST     1 NW FARGO              46.89N 96.83W 
08/14/2020  M61.00 MPH       Cass               ND   MESONET         

            NDAWN SITE MEASURED A 61 MPH WIND GUST.

0955 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 NNW FARGO             46.90N 96.83W 
08/14/2020  M55.00 MPH       Cass               ND   ASOS            

            PEAK WIND MEASURED AT THE FARGO AIRPORT /KFAR/.

1004 AM     TSTM WND GST     FELTON                  47.08N 96.50W 
08/14/2020  E85.00 MPH       CLAY               MN   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            LARGE GRAIN BINS CRUSHED AT THE GRAIN ELEVATOR COMPLEX. 
            NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED. TIME ESTIMATED BASED 
            ON RADAR. REPORTS AND PHOTOS POSTED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

1005 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 S DILWORTH            46.85N 96.70W 
08/14/2020  M56.00 MPH       Clay               MN   MESONET         

            PEAK WIND MEASURED AT AN RWIS STATION.

1020 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N ULEN                47.11N 96.26W 
08/14/2020                   Clay               MN   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            TREES BLOWN DOWN IN A SHELTER BELT.

1055 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 N DETROIT LAKES       46.84N 95.84W 
08/14/2020  M59.00 MPH       Becker             MN   MESONET         

            PEAK WIND MEASURED AT A RAWS STATION. TIME ESTIMATED 
            BASED ON RADAR.

1110 AM     TSTM WND DMG     8 E RICHWOOD            46.97N 95.65W 
08/14/2020                   Becker             MN   PARK/FOREST SRVC

            A FEW POPLAR TREE AND TAMARAC TREES BLOWN DOWN NEAR FLAT 
            LAKE.

1123 AM     HAIL             12 E DETROIT LAKES      46.81N 95.59W 
08/14/2020  M0.88 INCH       Becker             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER  

            COOP OBSERVER MEASURED NICKEL SIZED HAIL AND REPORTED 
            HEAVY RAIN. NO FLOODING OBSERVED.

1125 AM     HEAVY RAIN       3 ESE TULABY LAKE       47.14N 95.55W 
08/14/2020  U0.00 INCH       Becker             MN   PUBLIC          

            DITCHES FULL AND WATER UP ON EDGES OF HIGHWAY 113 AT 
            CR35, NEAR ELBOW LAKE. 

0300 PM     FLOOD            2 S STAR LAKE           46.50N 95.81W 
08/14/2020                   Otter Tail         MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            REPORT OF 8 INCHES OF WATER FLOWING ACROSS CR 115 AT 
            320TH STREET IN NORTHERN MAINE TOWNSHIP.

0314 PM     FLASH FLOOD      BEJOU                   47.44N 95.97W 
08/14/2020                   MAHNOMEN           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            FLOODING ONGOING NEAR BEJOU. WATER NOW ENTERING A HOME. 

0338 PM     TORNADO          6 W ELBOW LAKE          45.99N 96.10W 
08/14/2020                   Grant              MN   STORM CHASER    

            THREE TORNADOES QUICKLY FORMED IN A LINE FROM 3 S WENDELL
            TO 7 W BARRETT TO 3 NE HERMAN. ALL TRACKING EAST. 

0350 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     1 NW ELBOW LAKE         46.00N 95.99W 
08/14/2020                   Grant              MN   STORM CHASER    

            NORTHERN TORNADO HAS LIFTED FROM THE GROUND, BUT STILL 
            HAD FUNNEL ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN. 

0353 PM     TORNADO          3 SSE ELBOW LAKE        45.95N 95.95W 
08/14/2020                   Grant              MN   STORM CHASER    

            MIDDLE OF THREE TORNADOES, PASSING BETWEEN ELBOW LAKE AND
            BARRETT.

0402 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 E ELBOW LAKE          45.99N 95.87W 
08/14/2020                   Grant              MN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            TREES BLOWN DOWN AND ROOFING TORN OFF OF THE CLUB HOUSE 
            AT A GOLF COURSE. POSSIBLE TORNADO.

0430 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 NW TENSTRIKE          47.68N 94.71W 
08/14/2020                   Beltrami           MN   PUBLIC          

            A COUPLE OF TREES BLOWN DOWN ONTO A CAMPER/TRAILER NEAR 
            SUMMER HAVEN RESORT. REPORT AND PHOTOS POSTED VIA SOCIAL 
            MEDIA. 

0755 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 NNW FARGO             46.90N 96.83W 
08/14/2020  M55.00 MPH       Cass               ND   ASOS            

            PEAK WIND MEASURED AT THE FARGO AIRPORT /KFAR/.


&&

$$

Rain Reports

Estimated rainfall totals through the event.

...48 HOUR PRECIPITATION REPORTS...

Location                     Amount    Time/Date       Provider             
Richville MN 5.8 SSW         5.26 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Pelican Rapids MN            5.25 in   0800 AM 08/15   COOP                 
Lengby 1.7 NNE               4.81 in   0800 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Ottertail MN 1.5 NNW         4.49 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Pelican Rapids MN 1.4 W      4.36 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Twin Valley MN 0.1 NE        3.87 in   0800 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Mahnomen 1 SE MN             3.77 in   0230 PM 08/15   HADS                 
Valley City ND 2.0 NW        3.51 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Bagley MN 16.6 SSE           3.44 in   0830 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Sabin MN                     3.41 in   0745 AM 08/15   COOP                 
Bemidji MN 8 N               3.30 in   0529 PM 08/15   CWOP                 
Laporte MN 1.9 N             3.30 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Lake Park MN 9.9 S           3.21 in   0730 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Fargo 7.2 S                  3.10 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Solway MN 2.1 S              3.09 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Battle Lake MN 3.3 SSE       3.04 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Grandin ND 7.1 ENE           3.03 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Richville MN 1.2 NW          2.96 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Pelican Rapids MN 6.3 NNW    2.91 in   0606 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Saum MN 3 SW                 2.74 in   0200 PM 08/15   HADS                 
Deer Creek MN 2.0 WSW        2.69 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Fergus Falls MN 0.5 E        2.68 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Moorhead MN 2.0 N            2.66 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Red Lake MN                  2.66 in   0509 PM 08/15   RAWS                 
Bemidji MN 4.8 NNE           2.54 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Pelican Rapids MN 6 E        2.53 in   0445 PM 08/15   HADS                 
Turtle River MN 3.6 E        2.52 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
West Fargo ND 3.8 SSE        2.48 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Comstock MN 0.1 E            2.44 in   0600 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Park Rapids MN 15.3 NW       2.34 in   0800 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Fargo ND 2.1 N               2.29 in   0800 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Hope 6.8 SSE                 2.29 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Moorhead MN 2.8 SW           2.28 in   0800 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Bemidji MN 7.8 ENE           2.25 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Perham MN 5.7 E              2.21 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Moorhead MN 1.0 NE           2.20 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Glyndon MN 6.9 ENE           2.19 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
3 SW Neche                   2.12 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Abercrombie ND 0.2 NW        2.12 in   0600 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Harwood ND                   2.11 in   0515 PM 08/15   CWOP                 
Hawley MN 5.2 WNW            2.05 in   0657 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Fargo ND 3.6 NNE             2.05 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Fertile MN 3 WSW             1.96 in   0400 PM 08/15   HADS                 
Bemidji MN                   1.95 in   0530 PM 08/15   AWS                  
4 SW Valley City             1.91 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Badoura MN 1 SE              1.90 in   1245 PM 08/15   HADS                 
Barnesville 7.7 N            1.89 in   0800 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Durbin ND 5.4 WNW            1.89 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Mcleod ND 3 E                1.88 in   0740 AM 08/15   COOP                 
Sebeka MN                    1.82 in   0700 AM 08/15   COOP                 
Park Rapids 12.1 NNE         1.78 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
5 NW Cormorant               1.74 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Frazee                       1.74 in   0525 PM 08/15   CWOP                 
Casselton ND 0.4 ENE         1.70 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Brooks                       1.69 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Park Rapids AP MN            1.68 in   0453 PM 08/15   ASOS                 
Mentor MN 2 SW               1.64 in   0528 PM 08/15   CWOP                 
Huntersville MN 3 WNW        1.64 in   0400 PM 08/15   HADS                 
Kelliher MN 1 W              1.60 in   0507 PM 08/15   RAWS                 
Mahnomen AP MN               1.54 in   0515 PM 08/15   AWOS                 
Mentor MN 2.5 SSW            1.53 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
6 ESE Valley City            1.52 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Osage MN 5 NW                1.50 in   0130 PM 08/15   HADS                 
7 SSW Fairdale               1.42 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Bemidji AP MN                1.38 in   0515 PM 08/15   AWOS                 
Walhalla ND 3.6 SSE          1.38 in   0600 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Staples MN 6 N               1.36 in   0500 PM 08/15   HADS                 
Fergus Falls MN 6.3 SE       1.35 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
2 NW Backoo                  1.33 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Bemidji MN 2 WNW             1.29 in   0506 PM 08/15   RAWS                 
Detroit Lakes MN 1 N         1.19 in   0520 PM 08/15   RAWS                 
Warren MN 3 ENE              1.18 in   0400 PM 08/15   HADS                 
Badoura MN 2 E               1.14 in   0506 PM 08/15   RAWS                 
Hoffman MN 4.0 WSW           1.13 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Lake Itasca MN 2 SE          1.10 in   0507 PM 08/15   RAWS                 
Hoffman MN 2.2 NNW           1.10 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Bemidji MN 5 N               1.04 in   0529 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Cavalier ND 7 NW             1.04 in   0700 AM 08/15   COOP                 
Crookston MN 0.6 ENE         1.00 in   0630 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
2 NW Backoo                  0.99 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Mentor MN 3 NW               0.96 in   0432 PM 08/15   RAWS                 
2 W Thief River Falls        0.95 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Wahpeton ND 1.0 SSE          0.95 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Thief River Falls MN 0.3 NW  0.94 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Thief River Falls MN 0.6 NW  0.93 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Brooks MN 3 WNW              0.92 in   0230 PM 08/15   HADS                 
Karlstad MN                  0.83 in   0506 PM 08/15   RAWS                 
Karlstad MN 0.2 SSW          0.78 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Pembina ND                   0.78 in   0800 AM 08/15   COOP                 
Reynolds ND 8.5 ENE          0.77 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Lake Bronson MN              0.74 in   0445 PM 08/15   HADS  
Grand Forks NWS              0.69 in   0400 PM 08/15   COOP
Arygle MN 12 WNW             0.67 in   0515 PM 08/15   CWOP                 
Caribou MN                   0.64 in   0215 PM 08/15   HADS                 
Hallock MN                   0.64 in   0500 PM 08/15   HADS                 
1 WSW Dakota Junction        0.62 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
3 S Wahpeton                 0.58 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Baudette MN 3 S              0.54 in   0506 PM 08/15   RAWS                 
7 SSE Emerado                0.53 in   0520 PM 08/15   AWS                  
Larimore ND 4.9 SSE          0.53 in   0700 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
Grand Forks ND 7 SW          0.51 in   0515 PM 08/15   CWOP                            
Grand Forks AP ND            0.40 in   0453 PM 08/15   ASOS                 
Roseau MN 2 E                0.31 in   0508 PM 08/15   RAWS                 
Warroad MN 4 W               0.31 in   0900 PM 08/14   COOP                 
Argyle MN 8 SW               0.27 in   0520 PM 08/15   CWOP                 
Hatton ND 9.1 WSW            0.27 in   0600 AM 08/15   COCORAHS             
               

Observations are collected from a variety of sources with varying
equipment and exposures. We thank all volunteer weather observers 
for their dedication. Not all data listed are considered official.

Environment

Throughout the day August 14, 2020, a strong shortwave trough moved east through North Dakota into northern Minnesota. Ahead of the trough, strong forcing for ascent aided in developing numerous thunderstorms. Starting late August 13 through the morning August 14, some storms within a complex of thunderstorms mainly within Minnesota produced hail, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding. An additional area of severe thunderstorms developed near an eastward progressing cold front out of western North Dakota through the morning August 14. While this morning activity waned in intensity near midday, some newly developed and reinvigorated convection in the early afternoon lead to additional severe storms (some tornadic) developing near a surface low and accompanying surface fronts moved out of northeast South Dakota into northwest Minnesota.

In an attempt to document this complex and lengthy event, links to relevant mesoscale and synotpic discussions and illustrations are provided for reference..

Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Convective Discussions


Mesoscale Convective Discussion #1485	Mesoscale Convective Discussion #1486	Mesoscale Convective Discussion #1487

Weather Prediction Center Mesoscale Precipitation Discussions


Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion #632	Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion #635

Storm Prediction Center Upper Air Charts

Weather Prediction Center Surface Analysis

Weather Prediction Center Surface Analysis 06Z Aug 14 2020

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