Prolonged, Intense Heat Wave; Excessive Rainfall in the Southern Rockies and Central Plains into the Upper Midwest

Extremely dangerous heat persists through Thursday with widespread daily temperature records. Monsoonal moisture continues to bring heavy rain and flash flooding to New Mexico and west Texas through Thursday, especially in the burn scar areas. Thunderstorms and heavy to excessive rain will continue to bring a flash flood threat from the Central Plains into the Upper Midwest. Read More >

Event Summary:

During the late afternoon and evening of 17 June 2012, an upper level disturbance tracking across the Northern Plains interacted with a moist and unstable airmass over northeastern South Dakota and west-central Minnesota resulting in the development of scattered severe thunderstorms. The most severe damage occurred near the communities of Peever and Big Stone City in South Dakota and Ortonville, Minnesota. Numerous tree and power poles were reported down in this area, with significant damage to several homes and businesses. Cramer's Resort on Big Stone Lake also suffered fairly extensive damage. The results from an NWS storm survey can be found in the link section below.

Other brief tornado touchdowns were reported in Roberts and Traverse Counties although no damage has been attributed to these tornadoes. Funnel clouds were also sighted near Watertown. In addition to the tornadoes, large hail was reported over Brown, Marshall, and Codington Counties, including some to the size of tennis balls (2" or greater in diameter). Significant crop damage was reported from the hail with several vehicles sustaining damage.

Storm Reports Here

Storm and Damage Photos:

Near Peever, SD (Photos Courtesy of the Sisseton Courier Newspaper)