June 12, 2024, Severe Weather Event

Tornadoes:

Tornadic Supercell #1

This storm developed around 3:45 PM CDT in northwest Minnesota in southeast Norman County, west of Wabun. The storm tracked generally east-southeastward and dissipated around 10 PM CDT in southeast Douglas County, WI, near Wascott after traveling a distance of approximately 230 miles.

Tornado - Whitefish Lake/Clamshell Lake/West of Crosslake, MN Crow Wing County, MN Date June 12, 2024 Time (Local) 6:18 - 6:23 PM CDT EF Rating EF-2 Est. Peak Winds 120 mph Path Length 3.2 miles Max Width 700 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: Tornado developed over Upper Whitefish Lake (no tornadic damage found or reported on the northwestern shore indicating the tornado touched down on land before crossing the lake) and traveled southeast towards Pelican Lake. Extensive damage to private residences and forest along Old Whiskey Road and Ruttger Rd (referred to by locals as “Tip Top Point”) and across Bertha and Clamshell Lake towards the far eastern reach of Whitefish Golf Club’s holes. Damage path was the widest near Old Whiskey and Ruttger Road, around 700 yards across, with tree damage even identified on the island to the north of Old Whiskey Road. Over 80% of trees were uprooted or snapped near the base, and numerous homes showed minor to major roof damage. The worst of the roof damage was several homes which had over 50% of the roof deck uplifted and removed. Homeowners also reported a nearly hour-long storm surge of 1 to 2 feet from Upper Whitefish Lake. Minnesota State Patrol helicopter footage shows some scattered tornadic tree damage south of County Road 16 near Clear Lake before no additional damage has been found or reported. No fatalities or injuries reported. Track Map Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - Wolford to Rabbit Lake to Cedar Lake to Hammal Lake Tornado Crow Wing County, MN Date June 12, 2024 Time (Local) 6:45 - 7:05 PM CDT EF Rating EF-2 Est. Peak Winds 115 mph Path Length 13.1 miles Max Width 200 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: A new tornado developed near Wolford from the same storm that produced the first tornado near Crosslake. Initial damage located along County Road 30, south of County Highway 11/Mississippi River, mostly trees snapped and uprooted. Tornado continued east- southeast across Rabbit Lake just north of Cuyuna and then towards Highway 210. Damage along the western shore of Rabbit Lake affected private residences with a RV flipped over, roof covering material partially removed, and numerous trees snapped which lead to secondary home damage, including several collapsed out- buildings and garages. The tornado crossed Highway 210 near mile marker 145, as evidenced by both tree damage and storm chaser footage. It then took a southeastward path across portions of western Cedar Lake, producing extensive tree damage and pockets of residential property damage to roofs and garages, including a fish house that was picked up and thrown nearly 100 yards. This is the area of low-end EF-2 damage. The tornado path then became more eastward as it neared the end of its lifecycle, with final damage found on Hammal Lake, where localized pockets of extensive tree damage were located, and one three-season cabin and boat house were completely destroyed and partially thrown into the water. Track Map Downloadable KMZ File

Tornado - Near Glen, MN Aitkin County, MN Date June 12, 2024 Time (Local) 7:25 - 7:29 PM CDT EF Rating EF-0 Est. Peak Winds 65 mph Path Length 1.6 miles Max Width 20 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: A third tornado developed near Glen, MN. Storm chaser and spotter video depict a wispy tornado with no debris visible. Due to the rural and forested nature of this damage and no reports of damage, a ground survey has not been completed. This tornado rating and details may be updated in the future as additional aerial imagery becomes available. Track Map                                                                                        Downloadable KMZ File

Tornadic Supercell #2

This storm developed around 6 PM between Hill City and McGregor in Aitkin County, MN. The storm moved generally east-southeastward and dissipated near Solon Springs in Douglas County, WI, after traveling about 90 miles.

Tornado - Wright/Cromwell, MN Carlton County, MN Date June 12, 2024 Time (Local) 6:42 - 6:54 PM CDT EF Rating EF-0 Est. Peak Winds 80 mph Path Length 7.8 miles Max Width 50 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: Tornado developed on or near the Aitkin/Carlton County line and traveled southeast towards Highway 210 between Wright and Cromwell. Minor tree damage was noted on West Road near the start of the tornado path, with a broad area of large branches down and a few trees snapped towards the top. The tornado then traveled across a mainly marsh/bog landscape, crossing Center Road where power lines were damaged and widespread tree damage was noted along a 50 yard stretch of road. The tornado track continued on a southeast to east-southeast path, with the last signs of damage near to just south of Highway 210 near Woodbury Lake where a few clusters of tree damage were noted. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and property damage was very limited, with only a handful of homes/buildings impacted. Track Map Downloadable KMZ File

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

Wind & Hail:

Wind

Some isolated wind damage occurred in the storms that produced the largest hail, leading to a couple trees down and a backyard playset flipped. The worst wind damage occurred within tornadoes over Crow Wing, Aitkin, and Carlton Counties.  

Hail

Hail the size of a quarter to nearly a baseball in size was reported across mainly northeast Minnesota from the late afternoon hours to early overnight hours of Wednesday, June 12, 2024 as discrete supercells moved from west-northwest to east-southeast. Hail damaged cars, windows, gutters, roofs, and outdoor furniture. 

Local Storm Reports of mainly hail reports in the Northland from the late afternoon to early overnight hours of Wednesday June 12, 2024 (NWS photo)	Maximum Radar Estimated Hail (MESH) tracks from supercells which dropped anywhere from hail the size of a quarter to nearly a baseball in the late afternoon to early overnight hours of Wednesday, June 12, 2024.  (NWS photo)	Hail 1 Mile South Of Backus, MN. (Kelsey Scherf photo)	Hail in Finlayson, MN. (Mike Waite photo)

Photos

Tornado damage between Upper Whitefish and Bertha Lakes. (NWS Duluth Storm Survey)	RV flipped upside down near Rabbit Lake, north of Crosby, MN, by a tornado.  (NWS Duluth Storm Survey)	Numerous trees snapped near Cedar Lake, southwest of Aitkin, MN, by a tornado.  (NWS Duluth Storm Survey)	Hail coats the ground near Ely. (Zona Lewis Simonson photo)
Old growth pine uprooted near Upper Whitefish Lake by the tornado.  (NWS Duluth Storm Survey)	Golf ball sized hail near Hammal Lake in Aitkin County.  (Karin Ellingsworth Borowicz photo)	2" hail at the Crosslake campground.  (Jenni Tuchek Matyas photo)	Wall cloud near Finland, MN. (Amber Viney photo)
Broken trees and branches puncturing the roof of a home near Upper Whitefish Lake.  (Colin Steadland photo)	Broken trees and roof damage near Upper Whitefish Lake. (Crow Wing County drone photo)	Tennis ball sized hail in Chisholm. (Photo courtesy Kara Niemi McLaughlin)	Wall Cloud near Isabella. (Steve Wilson photo)

Radar

Radar imagery of a tornado moving through Crow Wing and Aitkin Counties and one in Carton County

5:17 PM CT - A confirmed tornado moved through Crow Wing County in the early evening hours of Wednesday, June 12th as shown by the 0.2 degree KDLH WSR-88D reflectivity and storm relative velocity imagery shown here. (NWS Photo)	5:45 PM CT - A confirmed tornado moved through Crow Wing County in the early evening hours of Wednesday, June 12th as shown by the 0.2 degree KDLH WSR-88D reflectivity and storm relative velocity imagery shown here. (NWS Photo)	6:04 PM CT - A confirmed tornado moved from Crow Wing County into Aitkin County in the early evening hours of Wednesday, June 12th as shown by the 0.2 degree KDLH WSR-88D reflectivity and storm relative velocity imagery shown here. (NWS Photo)	A confirmed tornado moved through Carlton County in the evening hours of Wednesday, June 12th as shown by the 0.2 degree KDLH WSR-88D reflectivity and storm relative velocity imagery shown here at 5:48 PM CT. (NWS Photo)

Storm Reports

Click the image above for Storm Reports from around the country.

View a Local Storm Reports map here: https://www.mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/lsr/#DLH/202406120500/202406130500/011010.

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1243 PM CDT Thu Jun 13 2024

...JUNE 12 HAIL REPORTS...

Location                     Size      Time/Date       Provider             
4 N Marble                   2.75 in   0615 PM 06/12   Public               
Chisholm                     2.50 in   0550 PM 06/12   Public               
1 NW Chisholm                2.50 in   0553 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
Finlayson                    2.50 in   0853 PM 06/12   Storm Chaser         
2 NNE Backus                 2.50 in   0558 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter                   
2 ENE Friesland              2.25 in   0850 PM 06/12   Public               
Chisholm                     2.00 in   0545 PM 06/12   Public                          
3 NNW Kelly Lake             2.00 in   0546 PM 06/12   Public               
Chisholm                     2.00 in   0550 PM 06/12   Public               
1 NW Chisholm                2.00 in   0550 PM 06/12   Public               
2 SSW Crosslake              2.00 in   0617 PM 06/12   Public               
3 W Crosslake                2.00 in   0619 PM 06/12   Public               
Backus                       2.00 in   0546 PM 06/12   Public               
1 S Backus                   2.00 in   0547 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
1 NNE Ely                    1.75 in   0512 PM 06/12   Public               
Chisholm                     1.75 in   0545 PM 06/12   Public                           
1 SW Chisholm                1.75 in   0554 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
1 NNW Chisholm               1.75 in   0606 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
Mountain Iron                1.75 in   0609 PM 06/12   Public               
6 SSW Tower                  1.75 in   0710 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
3 W Finlayson                1.75 in   0839 PM 06/12   NWS Employee         
1 SSE Sandstone              1.75 in   0855 PM 06/12   Public               
7 NNW Taconite               1.75 in   0520 PM 06/12   Public               
8 SSW Cohasset               1.75 in   0544 PM 06/12   Public               
Walker                       1.75 in   0540 PM 06/12   Public               
1 N Backus                   1.75 in   0553 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
3 NW Jenkins                 1.75 in   0600 PM 06/12   Public               
1 NE Lake Shore              1.75 in   0631 PM 06/12   Public               
5 W Aitkin                   1.75 in   0705 PM 06/12   Public               
1 S Buyck                    1.50 in   0418 PM 06/12   Public               
2 N Crane Lake               1.50 in   0420 PM 06/12   Public                           
1 E Ely                      1.50 in   0520 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
1 SSW Winton                 1.50 in   0526 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
Buhl                         1.50 in   0556 PM 06/12   Public               
1 W Sandstone                1.50 in   0857 PM 06/12   Public               
12 WNW Isabella              1.50 in   0559 PM 06/12   Cocorahs             
Deer River                   1.50 in   0509 PM 06/12   Law Enforcement      
Nashwauk                     1.50 in   0128 AM 06/13   Public               
2 SSW Swanburg               1.50 in   0610 PM 06/12   Public               
3 SW Crosslake               1.50 in   0623 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
1 SW Crosslake               1.50 in   0630 PM 06/12   Public               
3 ESE Bena                   1.50 in   0446 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
1 SE Inguadona               1.50 in   0509 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
Chisholm                     1.25 in   0549 PM 06/12   Public                          
Biwabik                      1.25 in   0613 PM 06/12   Public               
5 WNW Finlayson              1.25 in   0842 PM 06/12   Public               
7 NNW Bovey                  1.25 in   0531 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
6 SSW Grand Rapids           1.25 in   0540 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
7 NNW Bovey                  1.25 in   0555 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
3 E Jenkins                  1.25 in   0622 PM 06/12   Public               
2 NNE Cuyuna                 1.25 in   0641 PM 06/12   Cocorahs             
Aitkin                       1.25 in   0706 PM 06/12   Public               
7 NE Cusson                  1.00 in   0408 PM 06/12   Public               
2 N Ely                      1.00 in   0510 PM 06/12   Emergency Mngr       
Chisholm                     1.00 in   0554 PM 06/12   Public               
3 W Leonidas                 1.00 in   0600 PM 06/12   Cocorahs             
2 ESE Mountain Iron          1.00 in   0604 PM 06/12   Public               
Mountain Iron                1.00 in   0604 PM 06/12   Public               
2 W Virginia                 1.00 in   0605 PM 06/12   Public               
1 WNW Virginia               1.00 in   0613 PM 06/12   Public               
Virginia                     1.00 in   0618 PM 06/12   Public               
3 ESE Iron Junction          1.00 in   0639 PM 06/12   Cocorahs             
6 SW Tower                   1.00 in   0708 PM 06/12   Public               
5 NE Deer River              1.00 in   0513 PM 06/12   Public               
8 N Cohasset                 1.00 in   0515 PM 06/12   Public               
6 N Hill City                1.00 in   0535 PM 06/12   Public               
8 N Cohasset                 1.00 in   0602 PM 06/12   Public               
4 S Rossburg                 1.00 in   0720 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
Glen                         1.00 in   0805 PM 06/12   Public               
Nashwauk                     0.88 in   0128 AM 06/13   Public               
1 S Aurora                   0.75 in   0614 PM 06/12   Public               
1 SSE Aurora                 0.75 in   0623 PM 06/12   Public               
6 SW Tower                   0.75 in   0707 PM 06/12   Public               
4 SW Denham                  0.75 in   0810 PM 06/12   Public               
4 ENE Askov                  0.75 in   0833 PM 06/12   Public               
1 SSW La Prairie             0.75 in   0547 PM 06/12   Public               
2 NNE Hackensack             0.70 in   0602 PM 06/12   Trained Spotter      
Winton                       0.50 in   0515 PM 06/12   Public               
1 SW Virginia                0.50 in   0604 PM 06/12   Public               
Biwabik                      0.50 in   0625 PM 06/12   Public               
5 S La Prairie               0.50 in   0543 PM 06/12   Public               
8 SSW Blackberry             0.50 in   0558 PM 06/12   Public               
Sturgeon Lake                0.25 in   0820 PM 06/12   Public               
Keewatin                     0.25 in   0128 AM 06/13   Law Enforcement      

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

 SPC AC 121631

   Day 1 Convective Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   1131 AM CDT Wed Jun 12 2024

   Valid 121630Z - 131200Z

   ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
   NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND ADJACENT NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN AND WESTERN
   LAKE SUPERIOR...

   ...SUMMARY...
   Scattered severe thunderstorms capable of very large hail, damaging
   wind gusts, and a few tornadoes will be possible across parts of the
   Upper Midwest late afternoon and early evening.

   ...Upper Mississippi Valley/Upper Midwest...
   Bands/clusters of convection are ongoing at this time, from the
   Minnesota Arrowhead southward across northern Wisconsin, and
   southwestward across southern Minnesota into the Mid Missouri Valley
   region.  This convection continues moving eastward, toward a less
   unstable airmass, which should temper severe risk over the next few
   hours.  Greatest potential for a couple of marginally severe storms
   appears to exist over southwestern Minnesota and adjacent portions
   of southeastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa, where the
   greatest instability resides.

   Greater severe risk is forecast to evolve later this afternoon,
   north of the ongoing storms.  Here, daytime heating ahead of an
   advancing cold front (associated with a low-amplitude short-wave
   trough embedded in fast westerly flow aloft, and moving eastward
   along the international border) will result in moderate to strong
   instability (2500 to 3500 J/kg mixed-layer CAPE) within the
   pre-frontal warm sector.  

   Weakly veering but strengthening flow with height across the region
   will provide favorable shear for organized/rotating storms.  Initial
   convection -- expected to initiate in the 12/20Z to 12/21Z time
   frame -- should quickly organize/become supercellular, with very
   large hail likely to be the initial/primary severe risk.  A couple
   of tornadoes will also be possible, though veered low-level flow
   should temper overall tornado risk.  With time, storms are expected
   to cluster/grow upscale, with small-scale bowing expected, which
   should yield a gradual increase in damaging-wind potential.  Storms
   will spread rather quickly eastward/southeastward with time, with
   some severe risk likely to linger through the evening before
   gradually diminishing overnight.

   ..Goss/Moore.. 06/12/2024

Figure 1: 500 mb heights analysis from the Storm Prediction Center showing a strong mid-level zonal jet over the central United States. (NWS Photo)	Figure 2: Surface analysis from the Storm Prediction Center showing a low pressure system dropping southward from Canada into northern Minnesota late in the day on June 12, 2024. (NWS Photo)	Figure 3: Special 18Z Sounding from International Falls, MN ahead of convection that formed first in the Minnesota Borderlands first about three hours later. (NWS Photo)

Figure 4: Mixed Layer CAPE built into the Upper Midwest by the late afternoon on June 12 to aid in storm development as seen by the 12/21Z RAP Mixed Layer CAPE analysis image courtesy of the Storm Prediction Center. (NWS SPC Photo)	Figure 5: Steep mid-level lapse rates supported severe thunderstorms to move across northern Minnesota through 02Z on Thursday June 13 as seen by the 12/21Z RAP Max 2-6km lapse rates analysis image courtesy of the Storm Prediction Center. (NWS SPC Photo)	Figure 6: LCL heights of 1000 meters supported lower wall clouds by early evening on the 12th with at least several tornadoes observed in the greater Brainerd Lakes region. Imager of 12/21Z RAP LCL Heights analysis image courtesy of the Storm Prediction Center. (NWS SPC Photo)

SPC Day 1 Outlooks

1630z Day 1 Categorical Outlook (NWS SPC Photo)	1630z Day 1 Hail Outlook (NWS SPC Photo)	1630z Day 1 Tornado Outlook (NWS SPC Photo)	1630z Day 1 Wind Outlook (NWS SPC Photo)