BRAINERD, MN — A powerful line of thunderstorms moved through central Minnesota on Monday, setting off multiple severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings in the Brainerd lakes region. The storms brought damaging wind gusts, hail and brief concern about possible tornadoes, but officials did not confirm a tornado touchdown.
Brainerd’s tornado sirens sounded three times during the day, even though the city itself was not under a tornado warning from the National Weather Service in Duluth. Warnings were issued for parts of Cass and Crow Wing counties as the storm system tracked toward the lakes area.
Warnings and reports
The first tornado warning in the area was issued at 11:36 a.m. for Gull Lake, Nisswa and Pequot Lakes. A second warning followed shortly after for Pine River, Breezy Point, Crosby and Crosslake.
The weather service said the storm cell could produce winds up to 70 mph, tornadoes and hail as large as 2 inches across. There were reports of rotation in storm clouds and a funnel cloud near Motley, but neither the weather service nor law enforcement in Cass or Crow Wing counties could confirm a tornado.
Winds, hail and power loss
High winds were reported in several communities, including 60 mph in Federal Dam, 53 mph in Cass Lake and 46 mph in Brainerd. Hail was also reported in the region, including 0.88-inch hail in Crosby and 1.5-inch hail north of Mille Lacs Lake in Aitkin County.
Damage was limited, with only a few reports of trees down on power lines and roadways. Minnesota Power said it was dealing with scattered outages in the Brainerd, Walk, Mahtowa and Cohasset areas, and about 711 customers were still without power by 5 p.m., down from a peak of 4,100 earlier in the day.
Heat and holiday outlook
The storms came amid a heat advisory for Aitkin, Cass and Crow Wing counties, where temperatures were expected to reach 91 degrees with heat index readings of 100 to 105 degrees. Humidity in Brainerd was extreme early Monday, reaching 90% around 1 a.m. and climbing to 97% shortly before noon.
Forecasters said Tuesday should bring a short break from rain, with sunny skies and highs near 85. Rain chances return Wednesday and could stick around through the July Fourth holiday, with showers and thunderstorms possible for several days and outdoor plans needing close attention to the forecast.
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