EF4 Tornado — Grant, Minnesota

2020-07-08 · near Ashby, Grant, Minnesota

Event narrative

This tornado began in Grant County, but after about two miles, it crossed into Otter Tail County, where it ended about 5 miles east of Dalton. The total track through both counties was about 9 miles. Peak winds were estimated at 170 mph, based on available damage indicators. At least 10 farmsteads were impacted, with three homes, one pole shed, and one machine shed destroyed.

Wider weather episode

A lone weak cell appeared on radar at 430 pm CDT over northern Grant County, Minnesota. Numerous storm chasers had congregated in this area, hoping to see a good storm to chase. By 5 pm, the cell had blossomed into a strong thunderstorm. Weather spotters, law enforcement, and storm chasers then reported a funnel coming down toward the ground slightly after 505 pm. A tornado warning was issued at 508 pm (until 6 pm) for portions of south central Otter Tail and northeast Grant counties. This tornado tracked about 9 miles through the warned area, before dissipating. At its peak strength, it was rated as an EF-4 tornado. Another rotation was noted a little later, leading to a second tornado warning at 635 pm (until 7 pm), this time for southwest Wadena and southeast Otter Tail counties.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (46.0900, -95.9400)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 898306. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.