Alert archive / North Dakota / Tornado Warnings in 2025

Tornado Warning 34, NWS Grand Forks, ND

July 7, 2025Ramsey County, Walsh County, North Dakota

NWS Grand Forks, ND issued this tornado warning at Jul 7, 2025, 4:25 PM CDT for Ramsey County, Walsh County, North Dakota. It was in force for 50 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Jul 7, 2025, 4:25 PM CDT (21:25 UTC)
Expired: Jul 7, 2025, 5:15 PM CDT
In force: 50 min
Issued by: NWS Grand Forks, ND
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 1.75 in

Counties Ramsey County, ND, Walsh County, ND

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 127 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:24 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Jul 7, 4:27 PM CDT	TORNADO	2 Nne Edmore, ND
Jul 7, 5:08 PM CDT	TORNADO	5 Ne Lawton, ND	spotter reported tornado on ground 5 NE of Lawton.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 2 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Jul 7, 3:26 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Bismarck Municip, ND (KBIS), launched 12:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 259 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 379 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -136 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1299 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 39 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 44 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 60 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 1.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

010 
WFUS53 KFGF 072125
TORFGF
NDC071-099-072215-
/O.NEW.KFGF.TO.W.0034.250707T2125Z-250707T2215Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
425 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Ramsey County in northeastern North Dakota...
  West central Walsh County in northeastern North Dakota...

* Until 515 PM CDT.

* At 425 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Edmore, or 21 miles south of Langdon, moving
  southeast at 15 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Edmore, Fairdale, and Lawton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4845 9809 4827 9836 4846 9857 4854 9846
      4855 9835
TIME...MOT...LOC 2125Z 306DEG 13KT 4845 9844 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

Thomas

2 follow-up statements

639 
WWUS53 KFGF 072156
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
456 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

NDC071-072206-
/O.CAN.KFGF.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-250707T2215Z/
Ramsey ND-
456 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN RAMSEY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
northeastern North Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4845 9809 4832 9829 4837 9829 4837 9832
      4844 9832 4851 9824
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 306DEG 13KT 4838 9830 

$$

NDC099-072215-
/O.CON.KFGF.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-250707T2215Z/
Walsh ND-
456 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL WALSH COUNTY...

At 456 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Lawton, or 26 miles south of Langdon, moving
southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Fairdale.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4845 9809 4832 9829 4837 9829 4837 9832
      4844 9832 4851 9824
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 306DEG 13KT 4838 9830 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

Thomas

782 
WWUS53 KFGF 072207
SVSFGF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
507 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

NDC099-072216-
/O.EXP.KFGF.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-250707T2215Z/
Walsh ND-
507 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR WEST CENTRAL WALSH COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT
515 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
northeastern North Dakota.

Remember, a Tornado Warning still remains in effect for western 
Marshall unitl 5:45pm

&&

LAT...LON 4845 9809 4832 9829 4837 9829 4837 9832
      4844 9832 4851 9824
TIME...MOT...LOC 2206Z 306DEG 13KT 4836 9827 

$$

Thomas

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Grand Forks, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jul 7, 12:57 PM CDT, 3 hours 28 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Scattered thunderstorms today, a few may be severe with damaging wind gusts or hail to 1.50 inch. The risk of severe storms is a 2 out of 5 for parts of the Red Rive valley.
Isolated severe storms possible Wednesday afternoon or evening, risk level 1 out of 5.
Increasing risk for severe storms into Thursday, late in the day and night.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 7, 12:57 PM CDT, 3 hours 28 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1257 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered thunderstorms today, a few may be severe with
  damaging wind gusts or hail to 1.50 inch. The risk of severe
  storms is a 2 out of 5 for parts of the Red Rive valley.

- Isolated severe storms possible Wednesday afternoon or
  evening, risk level 1 out of 5.

- Increasing risk for severe storms into Thursday, late in the
  day and night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 329 AM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...Synopsis...
Busy 500 mb pattern with zonal flow more or less and short waves
moving into British Columbia and then often taking a dive
southeast toward our area. This continues this week and likely
beyond. Thus periodic t-storm chances with severe risk dependent
on instability, forcing and 0-6 km bulk shear values.

...Severe Risk Today...

This early Monday morning SPC meso analysis has a broad 850 mb
moisture advection over the area with 25kts 850 mb south winds
focus into Jamestown, Devils Lake area. There has been a slow
increase in mid level showers in this area since 06z. Main upper
wave is in Saskatchewan and giving an area of shower and
t-storms with it southeast of Saskatoon. This wave will will be
near the Manitoba/ND/MN border at 00z Tue. Thus the idea in pops
is to have a lower pop to start today in E ND but increase pops
into categorical range north valley later this aftn/eve.
Considerable cloud cover today in that area may prevent a lot of
sfc heating and MUCAPE in that area remains sub 1000 j/kg. But
with cold pool aloft with 500 mb wave moving over cannot rule
out some hailers with storms in the north valley. Multi-cell
likely as 0-6 km bulk shear may not be strong enough to maintain
supercells.

Farther south there does appear to be a wave at 500 mb that will
move east thru northern SD into northeast SD by late today.
Doesnt seem to be picked up well by models. But with this area
the area east of it will have more surface heating and a bit
higher dew pts with MUCAPES in the 1500 j/kg range. 0-6 km shear
not great, but signals from SPC HREF does indicate higher
intensity and longer track UH tracks along the SD/ND border late
this aftn. SPC did extend slight risk a bit farther north for
this.

Not much support for strong/severe storms once you get past 02z,
with lingering activity likely to exit fcst area around 06z-7z.

Tuesday will see high pressure move in and dry conditions.

...Wednesday Severe Risk...

Wednesday late aftn/eve will see a short wave move ESE across
the area. The airmass advecting north into the area, esp central
ND, is more unstable with MUCAPES over 3500 j/kg and high temps
in central ND fcst to be low 90s. 0-6 km shear is 30kts or less
though. SPC did insert a marginal risk for eastern and central
ND due to instability being quite high and weak wave moving ESE
thru the area.

...Thursday....

Thursday afternoon and night has for the last several days been
highlighted as the most unstable day in the 7 days. MUCAPE
values from ensembles (EC/GEM,GFS) from 00z runs all over 3500
j/kg with likely over 4000 j/kg. But issue is placement of 500
mb system with this and placement of 500 mb jet. Model
continuity has been poor. Thus question is with all the
instability will there be enough forcing and shear aloft to
generate a higher end severe threat. That remains to be seen.
Given the conditions fcst all hazards would be possible, though
wind/hail favored vs tornado as unsure of any surface boundary
location. We also have some sfc CIN to overcome. But highs are
forecast to be low 90s and dew pts low 70s. If either one can
over achieve that will add to instability.

For Friday and Saturday forecast hangs on development of 500 mb
low and placement and track. GFS been all over the place in the
last 24 hours with ECMWF the most consistent in having upper low
in the area Saturday with persistent area of showers and
t-storms near and just east of the wave over much of the area
Friday. Slower ECMWF would keep rain chance longer into Saturday
vs NBM.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1257 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

A few isolated showers/storms around could impact KBJI/KTVF
initially in the period. Otherwise additional development
expected late this afternoon/evening that could impact all TAF
sites from 22-03Z from NW to ESE as storms develop along a cold
front dropping through the forecast area. This will allow winds
to shift from south to southeast to the northwest behind the
front for late tonight into Tuesday. Tried to time the greatest
chance for the storms at each site, with dry conditions expected
mainly after 06Z into Tuesday.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...None.
MN...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...MJB
AVIATION...MJB

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 7, 4:34 AM CDT, 11 hours 51 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
434 AM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-
026>030-038-039-049-052>054-080945-
West Polk-Norman-Clay-Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-
West Marshall-East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake-
East Polk-North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen-
South Clearwater-Hubbard-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin-
West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-Towner-Cavalier-
Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh-Eddy-Nelson-Grand Forks-
Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland-
Western Walsh-
434 AM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North
Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

There is a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms this
afternoon and early evening for eastern North Dakota and northwest
and west central Minnesota. The main hazards will be hail to 1.50
inch, wind gust 60 mph and frequent lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

There is a level 1 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms
Wednesday afternoon and evening, but this is conditional risk as
storms may not form. If they do then large hail and damaging wind
risk.

Thursday afternoon and evening will see a potentially higher risk
of severe storms.  All hazards are possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required today.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 7, 11:42 AM CDT, 4 hours 43 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1142 AM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

MNZ029-030-040-NDZ053-071715-
Grant MN-Wilkin MN-West Otter Tail MN-Richland ND-
1142 AM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN OTTER TAIL...
GRANT...WILKIN AND SOUTHEASTERN RICHLAND COUNTIES THROUGH 1215 PM
CDT...

At 1141 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles east of Kent to near Fairmount to Lake
Traverse Reservation. Movement was east at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Fergus Falls, Wahpeton, Breckenridge, Elbow Lake, Ashby, Herman, and
Barrett.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 29 between mile markers 0 and 9.
 Interstate 94 in North Dakota between mile markers 45 and 80.
 Interstate 94 in Minnesota between mile markers 45 and 80.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4602 9627 4602 9657 4593 9656 4594 9705
      4614 9674 4645 9672 4638 9577 4595 9577
      4576 9615 4576 9625
TIME...MOT...LOC 1641Z 282DEG 47KT 4646 9654 4609 9658 4590 9691

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Rafferty

Special weather statement, Jul 7, 3:15 PM CDT, 1 hour 10 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
315 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

NDZ016-027-072045-
Eastern Walsh County ND-Grand Forks ND-
315 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL GRAND FORKS AND
SOUTHEASTERN WALSH COUNTIES THROUGH 345 PM CDT...

At 314 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Forest River, or 15 miles south of Grafton, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Minto, Manvel, Gilby, Forest River, Ardoch, Johnstown, and Poland.

This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 151 and 166.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4828 9711 4827 9714 4825 9712 4825 9715
      4824 9713 4822 9714 4823 9712 4821 9712
      4821 9713 4818 9715 4818 9714 4816 9714
      4816 9713 4814 9715 4814 9713 4799 9718
      4812 9761 4829 9757
TIME...MOT...LOC 2014Z 280DEG 17KT 4819 9748

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Rafferty/TT

Local storm report, Jul 7, 3:34 PM CDT, 51 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
334 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0327 PM     Hail             2 S Forest River        48.19N 97.47W
07/07/2025  M1.00 Inch       Grand Forks        ND   Trained Spotter

            Quarter sized hail reported by trained
            weather spotters.

&&

Local storm report, Jul 7, 4:19 PM CDT, 6 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
419 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0343 PM     Tornado          Calio                   48.62N 98.93W
07/07/2025                   Cavalier           ND   Public

            multiple reports and images of a tornado
            south of Calio.

&&

Local storm report, Jul 7, 4:21 PM CDT, 4 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
421 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0420 PM     Hail             3 W Manvel              48.08N 97.24W
07/07/2025  E1.75 Inch       Grand Forks        ND   Public

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Grand Forks, ND issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 7, 3:15 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	FGF	Grand Forks	30 min
Jul 7, 3:24 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	FGF	Grand Forks, Walsh	66 min
Jul 7, 3:52 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	FGF	Cavalier, Ramsey	23 min
Jul 7, 3:54 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	FGF	Cavalier, Ramsey	36 min
Jul 7, 4:16 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	FGF	Cavalier, Ramsey	29 min
Jul 7, 4:20 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	FGF	Grand Forks	55 min
Jul 7, 4:47 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	FGF	Grand Forks	58 min
Jul 7, 4:53 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	FGF	Nelson, Walsh	52 min
Jul 7, 4:55 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	FGF	Barnes, Cass, Steele	65 min
Jul 7, 5:32 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	FGF	Cass	32 min
Jul 7, 5:39 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	FGF	Grand Forks, Walsh	36 min
Jul 7, 6:03 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	FGF	Grand Forks	42 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Dakota, 2025 Every tornado warning in 2025 Tornadoes in 2025

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.