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Critical Fire Weather Concerns; Storm Tracking Across the Plains

Combination of strong winds, dry conditions and above normal temperatures will result in elevated to critical fire weather concerns for the Southern Plains and portions of Southern California. This is part of a storm system that is tracking across the central Plains with occasional snow showers and heavier snow from the Rockies through the Central/Northern Plains. Read More >

Overview

Multiple rounds of thunderstorms - some storms strong to severe - impacted much of east-central to northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin Monday, July 11, 2016, with the worst of the heavy rain and flash flooding occurring in the evening hours. This resulted in significant flooding across parts of the region and many road closures, including the closure of Interstate 35 for a period of time. 

The flooding was so severe in northwestern Wisconsin that no travel was advised over much of the area due to washouts and water over roads. 

Rainfall amounts were 4 to 10 inches in a 24 hour period, but much of it falling in an 8 hour period. a swath of 8 to 10 inches of rain extended from northern Crow Wing County, MN, through Aitkin and Pine counties then across northern Wisconsin from Danbury to Hurley.

The Saxon Harbor area of northern Iron County was hit with major flooding from the many creeks, rivers and streams that flow into it.  

Also, a bow echo type storm moved across northern Iron County, WI, and caused tremendous amounts of damage at Saxon Harbor, WI. Numerous vessels were affected by the severe downburst winds. There were 23 beached vessels, 6 vessels became adrift and some were overturned. There was also substantial wind damage at the campground.

Below, left, is a radar screen shot at about the time of the storm hitting Saxon Harbor, about 7:45 pm.  And a 24 hour radar loop from about 2 am on July 11th to 6 am on the 12th.  Click each thumbnail for a larger view.

 

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Radar Rainfall Estimates (5 am July 11 - 5am July 12)

 

 

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