***Updated information as of 12:00 PM Saturday, June 15, 2024. This website is not fully complete andwill continue to be updated as more information is gathered and assessed by NWS Duluth Meteorologists. Check back often over the next few days.***
Tornado warned storm near Crosslake, MN. This thunderstorm would go on to produce three tornadoes, 2 EF-2 and 1 EF-0. Photo courtesy of Jason Bednar.
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 supercell storms produced four 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 three 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 Hammal 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. 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 supercell thunderstorm tracked across northeast St. Louis, northern Lake, and extreme southern Cook counties. NWS Duluth has not received reports of damage from that storm as of this evening and a survey team did not find damage along the North Shore on Thursday. We continue to look for information about this storm and any potential hail or wind damage it may have produced.
This information is preliminary in nature and will likely be revised as we continue to review additional reports, images, and videos. NWS Duluth sincerely appreciates the coordination with our state and local partners including Emergency Management and Sheriff Departments at Carlton, Aitkin, and Crow Wing Counties as well as the Minnesota State Patrol. We also sincerely appreciate the images and video shared with us by our local media partners.
- Tornado
- Radar
- Storm Reports
- Environment
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 |
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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.
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| Local Storm Reports of mainly hail reports in the Northland from the late afternoon to early overnight hours of Wednesday June 12, 2024 | 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. | 1 Mile South Of Backus, MN, courtesy of Kelsey Scherf | Finlayson, MN photo courtesy of Mike Waite |
Photos & Video
Header
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Tornado Damage Between Upper Whitefish and Bertha Lakes | Tornado Damage RV flipped upside down near Rabbit Lake, north of Crosby, MN. (NWS Duluth Storm Survey) | Tornado Damage Numerous trees snapped near Cedar Lake, southwest of Aitkin, MN (NWS Duluth Storm Survey) | Hail coats the ground near Ely. Courtesy of Zona Lewis Simonson. |
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Tornado Damage Old growth pine uprooted near Upper Whitefish Lake. (NWS Duluth Storm Survey) | Golf ball sized hail near Hammal Lake (Aitkin County) Image courtesy Karin Ellingsworth Borowicz | 2" hail at the Crosslake campground. Courtesy Jenni Tuchek Matyas | Wall cloud near Finland, MN Courtesy Amber Viney |
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Tornado Damage Broken trees and branches puncturing the roof of a home near Upper Whitefish Lake. | Tennis ball sized hail in Chisholm | Wall Cloud near Isabella Courtesy Steve Wilson |
Radar
Radar imagery of a tornado moving through Crow Wing and Aitkin Counties and one in Carton County
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| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
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 StatementNational Weather Service Duluth MN1243 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 varyingequipment 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
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| Figure 1: 500 mb heights analysis from the Storm Prediction Center showing a strong mid-level zonal jet over the central United States | 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 | Figure 3: Special 18Z Sounding from International Falls, MN ahead of convection that formed first in the Minnesota Borderlands first about three hours later. |
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| 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 | 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 | 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 |
SPC Day 1 Outlooks
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| 1630z Day 1 Categorical Outlook | 1630z Day 1 Hail Outlook | 1630z Day 1 Tornado Outlook | 1630z Day 1 Wind Outlook |
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