The derecho formed in western Minnesota around 10 a.m. CDT on July 4 and became more intense around noon in the central part of the state.

The derecho produced winds of 80–100 mph (130–160 km/h) in northern Wisconsin, felling thousands of trees.

[1] As the storm raced through Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer, Price, and Oneida counties, it caused a band of damage 10–20 miles (16–32 km) wide.

The derecho moved through Lower Michigan throughout the afternoon and evening before dissipating in northern Ohio around 1:30 a.m. EDT on July 5.

After the storm, Dr. T. Theodore Fujita became aware of the extreme wind damage over northern Wisconsin and decided to conduct an investigation.