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Severe Thunderstorms Possible in the South Central U.S.; Wildfire Smoke Impacts in the North Central U.S.

Scattered severe thunderstorms may bring large hail and isolated damaging winds this weekend over parts of the south central U.S. Smoke from Canadian wildfires will bring air quality issues to parts of the north central U.S. this weekend. Air Quality Alerts have been issued. Read More >

Overview

A waterspout developed at approximately 1100-1105 AM CDT about 2 miles offshore of Sky Harbor Airport the morning of August 9, 2012. The waterspout/EF-0 tornado crossed Minnesota Point and Sky Harbor Airport between 1110-1115 AM CDT before crossing Superior Bay and briefly coming onshore as an EF-0 tornado at Barker’s Island before dissipating around 1120 AM CDT. Eyewitnesses at Sky Harbor Airport reported a couple of float plane pontoons were briefly lifted and set back down (not moved), but otherwise no damage was reported on Minnesota Point or at Barker’s Island.

Image
The waterspout near Minnesota Point as seen from the Duluth hillside ~1120AM.
(
Michael Mirtica photo)
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