Heavy Rains Over the Western Twin Cities:
September 3-4, 2005


A slow moving warm front spawned waves of thunderstorms over central and east central Minnesota over Labor Day Weekend. The first wave began with lighter thunderstorms during the afternoon of Saturday, September 3rd. Later in the evening and during the overnight hours a line of heavy thunderstorms developed in a "training" pattern over the western Twin Cities metropolitan area and moved south. People had difficulty sleeping with the nearly constant rumbles of thunder all night long. When dawn came on Sunday, September 4th the rains totaled a half-foot in a few spots in the south west metro. The heaviest rains fell in a very narrow band following I-94 from Alexandria and then turned to the south along I-35 across the Twin Cities.

The most rain reported was 6.62 inches near Elko in New Market. 6.17 inches was reported in nearby Cedar Lake Township. 5.66 inches was reported 2 miles southwest of the downtown Chanhassen. The National Weather Service picked up 5.55 inches. The heavy rains caused street flooding in low lying areas. Some roads were blocked by water for a brief time. Water was up to the bumpers of cars in a parking lot in Excelsior. Other cities that experienced street flooding were Shakopee, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie and Brooklyn Park. A bluff slump happened along Highway 101 in Chanhassen but didn't impact the road. The water seemed to recede quite quickly. Police also blocked off some streets in Sauk Center due to street flooding.

large hail and damaging thunderstorm winds also accompanied the storms. Numerous reports of hail were reported across the western Metro area. Golf-ball sized hail was reported near Hutchinson and parts of Brooklyn Park. Lightning caused damage to three houses in Minnetrista, Eden Prairie and Mound. Winds damaged hangars at the airport in Faribault.

The State Climatology Office thanks the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the National Weather Service, and all of the diligent volunteer precipitation observers who make analyses of these events possible.

Radar imagery from the Chanhassen National Weather Service depicts the storm rainfall total.

Listed below are National Weather Service Statements about the heavy rain and severe storms.


PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
835 PM CDT SUN SEP 4 2005

...RAINFALL TOTALS BETWEEN MIDDAY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MORNING...

HEAVY RAIN FELL FROM NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS THAT MOVED THROUGH THE
SOUTHERN HALF OF MINNESOTA BETWEEN MIDDAY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
MORNING. RADAR ESTIMATES THAT AS MUCH AS 8 INCHES MAY HAVE
FALLEN IN SOME LOCATIONS.

THE AREAS THAT RECEIVED THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL INCLUDED THE WESTERN
HALF OF THE TWIN CITIES METROPOLITAN AREA...ALONG AND JUST SOUTH
OF THE INTERSTATE 94 CORRIDOR FROM THE TWIN CITIES TO ALEXANDRIA...
AND WEST OF THE INTERSTATE 35 CORRIDOR FROM THE TWIN CITIES TO
OWATONNA.

HERE IS A LIST OF RAINFALL TOTALS WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM OUR DEDICATED
COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVERS...SPOTTERS AND AUTOMATED WEATHER
SENSORS.

LOCATION                     COUNTY          AMOUNT IN INCHES

CHANHASSEN 2SW               CARVER          5.66
CHANHASSEN NWS OFFICE        CARVER          5.55
EDEN PRAIRIE MIDDLE SCHOOL   HENNEPIN        5.40
EDEN PRAIRIE AIRPORT         HENNEPIN        5.37
SHAKOPEE SUN PATH ELEM SCH   SCOTT           4.76
MINNETONKA                   HENNEPIN        4.20
WAYZATA WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL   HENNEPIN        3.85
ELK RIVER                    SHERBURNE       3.50
FARIBAULT JEFFERSON MS       RICE            3.24
ALEXANDRIA AIRPORT           DOUGLAS         3.19
CHASKA                       CARVER          3.09
MPLS CRYSTAL AIRPORT         HENNEPIN        2.80
WAYZATA CENTRAL MIDDLE SCH   HENNEPIN        2.77
MOUND WESTONKA HIGH SCHOOL   HENNEPIN        2.70
BROWNTON                     MCLEOD          2.62
PRIOR LAKE                   SCOTT           2.60
CHAMPLIN                     HENNEPIN        2.50
MELROSE AREA HIGH SCHOOL     STEARNS         2.40
GOLDEN VALLEY                HENNEPIN        2.25
FRIDLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL        ANOKA           2.13
NEW HOPE                     HENNEPIN        2.07
MPLS/ST PAUL INTL AIRPORT    HENNEPIN        1.33


PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
839 AM CDT SUN SEP 04 2005
..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
           ..REMARKS..

0125 PM     HAIL             SUNBURG                 45.35N 95.24W 
09/03/2005  1.75 INCH        KANDIYOHI          MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 


0150 PM     HAIL             NEW LONDON              45.30N 94.95W 
09/03/2005  1.75 INCH        KANDIYOHI          MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 


0245 PM     FLOOD            SAUK CENTRE             45.74N 94.96W 
09/03/2005                   STEARNS            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT            
WATER DEPARTMENT REPORTS FLOODING PROBLEMS


0327 PM     HAIL             PAYNESVILLE             45.38N 94.72W 
09/03/2005  0.75 INCH        STEARNS            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER            
DIME SIZE HAIL

0330 PM     FLASH FLOOD      PAYNESVILLE             45.38N 94.72W 
09/03/2005                   STEARNS            MN   AMATEUR RADIO   
MN HIGHWAY 22 BETWEEN HIGHWAY 34 AND 43 6 INCHES WATER ON ROAD

0332 PM     TSTM WND DMG     PAYNESVILLE             45.38N 94.72W 
09/03/2005                   STEARNS            MN   AMATEUR RADIO   
POWER LINES DOWN

0335 PM     HAIL             EDEN VALLEY             45.33N 94.55W 
09/03/2005  0.75 INCH        STEARNS            MN   AMATEUR RADIO   
3/4 INCH HAIL

0410 PM     HAIL             HOWARD LAKE             45.06N 94.07W 
09/03/2005  0.75 INCH        WRIGHT             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT            
MARBLE HAIL

0415 PM     TSTM WND DMG     HUTCHINSON              44.89N 94.37W 
09/03/2005                   MCLEOD             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER            
6-8 INCH TREE LIMBS DOWN NEAR HUTCHINSON

0435 PM     TSTM WND GST     GLENCOE                 44.77N 94.15W 
09/03/2005  52 MPH           MCLEOD             MN   AWOS            
60 MPH GUST

0500 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     1 SE JORDAN             44.66N 93.62W 
09/03/2005                   SCOTT              MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

0520 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 W FARIBAULT           44.30N 93.34W 
09/03/2005                   RICE               MN   NWS EMPLOYEE    
BOATS FLIPPED AND LOST.

0530 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MORRISTOWN              44.22N 93.44W 
09/03/2005                   RICE               MN   AMATEUR RADIO   
3 FT DIAMETER TREES DOWN

0535 PM     TSTM WND DMG     FARIBAULT               44.30N 93.27W 
09/03/2005                   RICE               MN   AMATEUR RADIO   
DAMAGE TO ACGT HANGERS AND TREES GREATER THAN 1 FT DOWN


0625 PM     FLASH FLOOD      HOLDINGFORD             45.73N 94.47W 
09/03/2005                   STEARNS            MN   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
STREET FLOODING

0625 PM     HAIL             HOLDINGFORD             45.73N 94.47W 
09/03/2005  1.00 INCH        STEARNS            MN   AMATEUR RADIO   

0625 PM     HAIL             HOLDINGFORD             45.73N 94.47W 
09/03/2005  1.00 INCH        STEARNS            MN   AMATEUR RADIO
   
0625 PM     HAIL             HOLDINGFORD             45.73N 94.47W 
09/03/2005  1.00 INCH        STEARNS            MN   AMATEUR RADIO   

0655 PM     FLASH FLOOD      FREEPORT                45.66N 94.69W 
09/03/2005                   STEARNS            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT            
STREET FLOODING

0725 PM     HAIL             ROCKVILLE               45.47N 94.34W 
09/03/2005  1.75 INCH        STEARNS            MN   AMATEUR RADIO
   
0805 PM     HAIL             HAWICK                  45.31N 94.81W 
09/03/2005  1.75 INCH        KANDIYOHI          MN   AMATEUR RADIO   

0840 PM     HAIL             EDEN PRAIRIE            44.85N 93.46W 
09/03/2005  0.75 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER            
DIME SIZE HAIL

0845 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 W ATWATER             45.14N 94.82W 
09/03/2005                   KANDIYOHI          MN   PUBLIC          
TREES DOWN ON HOME

0911 PM     HAIL             CEDAR MILLS             44.95N 94.52W 
09/03/2005  1.00 INCH        MEEKER             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0915 PM     TSTM WND DMG     GOLDEN VALLEY           44.99N 93.36W 
09/03/2005                   HENNEPIN           MN   AMATEUR RADIO   
4 INCH TREE BRANCHES DOWN ON THEODORE WORTH PARKWAY

0940 PM     HAIL             2 W LITCHFIELD          45.12N 94.57W 
09/03/2005  1.75 INCH        MEEKER             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 
QUARTER TO GOLF BALL HAIL

1008 PM     HAIL             2 N NEW PRAGUE          44.58N 93.57W 
09/03/2005  0.75 INCH        SCOTT              MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 
DIME SIZE HAIL

1008 PM     HAIL             2 N NEW PRAGUE          44.58N 93.57W 
09/03/2005  0.75 INCH        SCOTT              MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 
DIME SIZE HAIL

1008 PM     HAIL             2 N NEW PRAGUE          44.58N 93.57W 
09/03/2005  0.75 INCH        SCOTT              MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 
DIME SIZE HAIL

1008 PM     HAIL             2 N NEW PRAGUE          44.58N 93.57W 
09/03/2005  0.75 INCH        SCOTT              MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 
DIME SIZE HAIL

1030 PM     HAIL             ARLINGTON               44.61N 94.08W 
09/03/2005  0.88 INCH        SIBLEY             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

1032 PM     HAIL             STEWART                 44.73N 94.49W 
09/03/2005  1.00 INCH        MCLEOD             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

1116 PM     HAIL             STEWART                 44.73N 94.49W 
09/03/2005  1.00 INCH        MCLEOD             MN   AMATEUR RADIO   

1131 PM     HAIL             2 NE WATERVILLE         44.24N 93.55W 
09/03/2005  0.88 INCH        LE SUEUR           MN   AMATEUR RADIO
   
1234 AM     HAIL             GIBBON                  44.54N 94.52W 
09/04/2005  0.75 INCH        SIBLEY             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 
HAIL COVERING THE GROUND.

1249 AM     HAIL             7 NNE HUTCHINSON        44.98N 94.32W 
09/04/2005  1.00 INCH        MCLEOD             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

1254 AM     HAIL             7 NNE HUTCHINSON        44.98N 94.32W 
09/04/2005  2.00 INCH        MCLEOD             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0114 AM     HAIL             5 SSE DASSEL            45.01N 94.27W 
09/04/2005  1.75 INCH        MEEKER             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0138 AM     HAIL             MEDINA                  45.03N 93.60W 
09/04/2005  0.75 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0152 AM     HAIL             BUFFALO                 45.18N 93.87W 
09/04/2005  0.75 INCH        WRIGHT             MN   PUBLIC          

0238 AM     HAIL             WINSTED                 44.97N 94.05W 
09/04/2005  0.75 INCH        MCLEOD             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0344 AM     HAIL             ELK RIVER               45.33N 93.57W 
09/04/2005  0.75 INCH        SHERBURNE          MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0355 AM     HAIL             ELK RIVER               45.33N 93.57W 
09/04/2005  1.00 INCH        SHERBURNE          MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0358 AM     HAIL             ELK RIVER               45.33N 93.57W 
09/04/2005  1.25 INCH        SHERBURNE          MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 
REPORTED BY NWS EMPLOYEE.

0406 AM     HAIL             MAPLE PLAIN             45.01N 93.66W 
09/04/2005  1.00 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT
 
0426 AM     HAIL             VICTORIA                44.87N 93.66W 
09/04/2005  1.00 INCH        CARVER             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

0450 AM     HAIL             RAMSEY                  45.26N 93.45W 
09/04/2005  0.75 INCH        ANOKA              MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

0528 AM     HAIL             CHASKA                  44.82N 93.61W 
09/04/2005  1.75 INCH        CARVER             MN   PUBLIC          

0531 AM     HAIL             EDEN PRAIRIE            44.85N 93.46W 
09/04/2005  0.75 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0535 AM     HAIL             CHANHASSEN              44.86N 93.56W 
09/04/2005  0.75 INCH        CARVER             MN   NWS EMPLOYEE    
HAIL COVERING THE GROUND AT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE. 

0600 AM     FLASH FLOOD      SHAKOPEE                44.77N 93.48W 
09/04/2005                   SCOTT              MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT            
WATER TO THE ROOFS OF CARS IN A LOW SPOT IN TOWN.

0601 AM     HAIL             EXCELSIOR               44.94N 93.56W 
09/04/2005  1.00 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER           
SPOTTER REPORTED NICKEL TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL COVERING HIS DECK.

0604 AM     HAIL             BROOKLYN PARK           45.11N 93.35W 
09/04/2005  1.00 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

0605 AM     HAIL             MAPLE GROVE             45.11N 93.46W 
09/04/2005  1.00 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0610 AM     HAIL             SHOREWOOD               44.90N 93.59W 
09/04/2005  1.75 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0618 AM     HAIL             BROOKLYN PARK           45.11N 93.35W 
09/04/2005  1.00 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0620 AM     HAIL             BROOKLYN PARK           45.11N 93.35W 
09/04/2005  2.00 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0621 AM     HAIL             CHANHASSEN              44.86N 93.56W 
09/04/2005  0.88 INCH        CARVER             MN   NWS EMPLOYEE    
METEOROLOGIST IN CHARGE NOTICES HAIL COVERING THE GROUND AT 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE.

0627 AM     HAIL             CRYSTAL                 45.04N 93.36W 
09/04/2005  1.00 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   AIRPLANE PILOT  
REPORT APPEARED IN A PIREP FROM KMIC.

0642 AM     HAIL             NEW HOPE                45.04N 93.39W 
09/04/2005  0.75 INCH        HENNEPIN           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER
 
0709 AM     FLASH FLOOD      EXCELSIOR               44.94N 93.56W 
09/04/2005                   HENNEPIN           MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT            
SIGNIFICANT FLOODING ACROSS STREETS AND PARKING LOTS IN THE CITY OF EXCELSIOR.

0711 AM     FLASH FLOOD      BROOKLYN PARK           45.11N 93.35W 
09/04/2005                   HENNEPIN           MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT            
SIGNIFICANT FLOODING REPORTED IN THE CITY OF BROOKLYN 
PARK BY THE HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF.

0723 AM     FLASH FLOOD      FRIDLEY                 45.08N 93.26W 
09/04/2005                   ANOKA              MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT            
CAR SUBMERGED.

0730 AM     FLASH FLOOD      CHANHASSEN              44.86N 93.56W 
09/04/2005                   CARVER             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT            
SIGNIFICANT FLOODING AT SEVERAL INTERSECTIONS WITHIN THE            
CITY OF CHANHASSEN.
-

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URL: http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/flash_floods/ff050904.htm
Last modified: September 9, 2005