EF1 Tornado — Lake, Minnesota

2024-06-12 · near Isabella, Lake, Minnesota

Event narrative

Tornado damage initially appeared on the northeast shore of Tanner Lake (east of Dumbbell Lake), crossing Wanless Road (Forest Road 172) on a southeastward track. Satellite imagery depicts sporadic tree damage along the path, with a particularly impressive swath of trees that were uprooted or snapped east of East General Grade Road (Forest Road 362) measuring approximately 150 yards in width and a quarter mile in length. Damage continues to be evident for another mile or so before no additional discernible damage is evident. No fatalities or injuries were reported. Tornado rating was determined based on satellite imagery, and NWS Duluth is coordinating to learn more about any air or ground surveyed damage from our partners at the Superior National Forest which may result in a future revision in the tornado rating.

Wider weather episode

Numerous severe thunderstorms moved across north-central and northeast Minnesota on the evening of Wednesday, June 12, 2024, producing large hail to the size of baseballs, isolated thunderstorm wind damage, and several tornadoes. Two distinct supercellular storms produced five tornadoes (rated EF-0 and EF-2) across portions of Crow Wing, Aitkin, and Carlton counties between roughly 6:15 PM and 7:30 PM. The supercell that tracked through Crow Wing and Aitkin County produced four separate tornadoes, first on/near Upper Whitefish Lake across to Clamshell Lake, or west of Crosslake, where a wide, sharp path of damage was found. This tornado dissipated, with a second tornado forming south of Wolford, west of Rabbit Lake (north of Crosby). This second tornado appeared to have a mainly continuous path of damage from near Wolford to Rabbit Lake to Cedar Lake to Prescott Lake. There may have been a break in this tornado as it traveled across the Crow Wing State Forest, but a combination of storm chaser and spotter video as well as ground surveys seemed to indicate a mainly consistent path of damage. A third tornado near the northern portion of Hammal Lake and continued east-southeast through Hanging Kettle Lake and Ripple Lake, where it destroyed a three-season cabin and boat house, toppled an 85 foot tall antenna tower, and uprooted and snapped numerous trees. This supercell then later produced a weak, wispy tornado with no known damage near Glen, MN, with the particular length of this tornado unknown due to limited access in this area. While this supercell was

ongoing, a separate supercell briefly produced a weak tornado in northwest Carlton County where mainly minor tree damage (large branches, a few trees snapped) was observed north of Wright, MN. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and NWS Duluth had a Tornado Warning in effect for these storms for the duration of time they produced tornadoes.

Another earlier storm that was the earliest supercell of the severe storm event, initially developed over Koochiching County and into far northern Saint Louis County where it split. The right split headed for Ely, MN, and continued on a southeast path towards Tofte. The supercell was rotating throughout its lifetime, with a report of a funnel cloud when the storm was east of Ely. The storm briefly weakened for a time, then strengthened and produced strong mid-level rotation northeast of Isabella. This storm then produced an EF-1 tornado starting near Tanner Lake to the northeast of Isabella that tracked southeast for just over four miles, creating a swath of numerous uprooted and snapped trees. This tornado rating was determined based on satellite imagery, and NWS Duluth is coordinating to learn more about any air or ground surveyed damage from our partners at the Superior National Forest which may result in a future revision in the tornado rating.

Another isolated storm developed during the late evening hours across north-central Minnesota and move into Itasca County after midnight. This storm produced ping-pong ball sized hail and downed some trees near Wirt.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (47.6136, -91.2513)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1195652. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.