Hail in Benton County, Minnesota

During the late afternoon, and early evening of Thursday, June 23rd, a small complex of storms developed in central Minnesota. These storms were developing along an 850mb confluent boundary with an above normal plume of PWATs of 1.25. Due to a high freezing level, a sounding profile suggesting efficient warm-rain processes dominated. With back-building storms across central Minnesota, rainfall amounts were excessive. Some areas received up to 7 inches of rainfall before rates diminished during the pre-dawn hours. The worst areas were across Todd, Morrison, Stearns and Benton Counties where a band of 3 to 6 inches fell before 4 am. In addition to the heavy rainfall, and flash flooding, the initial hazard was isolated large hail.