North Dakota, 2003

Hail and Damaging Winds in North Dakota, July 2, 2003

July 2, 2003 · NWS FGF · 42 events in 11 counties and zones

34 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$1.1 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
42

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jul 2, 8:30 AM CST, 1 hour earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 2, 8:30 AM CST, 1 hour before
FORECAST DISCUSSION FOR EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
930 AM CDT WED JUL 2 2003

...FORECAST CHALLENGE FOR UPDATE CONCERNS CONVECTIVE THREAT.

STRONG CONVECTION WHICH DEVELOPED OVER WESTERN DAKOTAS CONTINUES TO
PROPAGATE EAST/NORTHEAST WITH NORTHERN CLUSTER BECOMING TO TRACK
MORE EAST AS IT CRESTS RIDGE. CONVECTION RIDING ALONG LOW LEVEL
BOUNDARY WITH 70 DEWPOINTS POOLING ALONG BOUNDARY. AM ALSO SEEING
DEVELOPMENT CLOUD TOPS CONTINUE TO COOL FROM IR IMAGERY. MAIN
ADJUSTMENTS TO UPDATE WILL BE TIMING WITH CONVECTION BASED ON
CURRENT TRENDS. TEMPERATURES SEEM IN REASON AS TEMPERATURES ALREADY
APPROACHING 80. CONVECTION MAY HOLD SOME TEMPERATURES DOWN HOWEVER
ANY BREAKS WILL ALLOW AREA TO QUICKLY HEAT OUT.

.FGF...NONE.

VOELKER
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 2, 5:35 AM CST, 3 hours 55 minutes before
MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-
026>030-038-039-049-052>054-021415-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS
635 AM CDT WED JUL 2 2003

...THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK
   ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA FOR LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA...WEST
CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT
THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE
REGION TODAY. THE MAIN THREAT FROM THESE STORMS WILL BE DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND VERY HEAVY RAINS. DUE TO THE EXTREME
INSTABILITY IN PLACE OVER THE REGION ISOLATED TORNADOES AND
SIGNIFICANT STRAIGHT LINE WIND DAMAGE (LARGE BOW ECHO) CANNOT
BE RULED OUT. EXPECT RAPID SEVERE THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT TO
OCCUR ALONG A DEVILS LAKE TO VALLEY CITY LINE BY MID TO LATE
AFTERNOON AND THEN WORK EAST ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF EASTERN
NORTH DAKOTA AND WEST CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA THIS
EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND NORTHWEST
MINNESOTA THURSDAY MORNING. ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORM CHANCES LOOM ON
TO CLOSE OUT THE JULY FOURTH WEEKEND ON SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL BE NEEDED LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

BERG

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

34 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Benson

When
July 2, 9:30 AM CST
Where
Benson County, Fillmore
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.183, -99.800

Thunderstorm Wind, Towner

When
July 2, 9:30 AM CST
Where
Towner County, 3 mi W of Hansboro
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.950, -99.433

6 inch diameter tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Towner

When
July 2, 9:50 AM CST
Where
Towner County, 9 mi SW of Cando
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.383, -99.333

Six inch diameter tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When
July 2, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Ramsey County, Churchs Ferry
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.267, -99.183

Thunderstorm Wind, Benson

When
July 2, 10:03 AM CST
Where
Benson County, 3 mi N of Minnewaukan
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.117, -99.250

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When
July 2, 10:15 AM CST
Where
Ramsey County, Devils Lake
Measured
54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.100, -98.850

The Devils Lake AWOS measured a 62 mph wind gust.

Hail, Eddy

When
July 2, 10:25 AM CST
Where
Eddy County, 5 mi S of Sheyenne
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
47.767, -99.117

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When
July 2, 10:30 AM CST
Where
Ramsey County, 6 mi SE of Starkweather
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.383, -98.783

12 to 15 inch diameter trees were uprooted by the strong wind.

Hail, Eddy

When
July 2, 10:34 AM CST
Where
Eddy County, 13 mi SW of Hamar
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
47.717, -98.750

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When
July 2, 10:35 AM CST
Where
Ramsey County, 8 mi W of Lawton
Measured
62 kt (71 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
48.300, -98.533

Thunderstorm Wind, Cavalier

When
July 2, 10:42 AM CST to 10:45 AM CST
Where
Cavalier County, Calvin
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.850, -98.917

Hail, Eddy

When
July 2, 10:51 AM CST
Where
Eddy County, 2 mi S of Hamar
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
47.817, -98.550

Hail, Nelson

When
July 2, 10:55 AM CST
Where
Nelson County, 4 mi W of Tolna
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
47.833, -98.517

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When
July 2, 10:55 AM CST
Where
Ramsey County, 5 mi NNE of Edmore
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.483, -98.400

Large tree branches and several wooden fence sections were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When
July 2, 10:55 AM CST
Where
Ramsey County, Edmore
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$150,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
48.417, -98.450

Trees were uprooted in Edmore, several blocking Main Street. A grain dryer mounted on the elevator was ripped off. There were also reports of shingle and vehicle damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Eddy

When
July 2, 10:57 AM CST
Where
Eddy County, 2 mi E of Hamar
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
47.850, -98.500

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When
July 2, 10:57 AM CST
Where
Nelson County, 4 mi WNW of Tolna
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
47.850, -98.517

Thunderstorm Wind, Benson

When
July 2, 10:57 AM CST
Where
Benson County, 9 mi E of Warwick
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
47.850, -98.483

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When
July 2, 11:03 AM CST
Where
Walsh County, 2 mi W of Fairdale
Measured
87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
48.483, -98.283

One 4,000 bushel steel grain bin was ripped off its anchor bolts and flattened in a field.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When
July 2, 11:05 AM CST
Where
Walsh County, Fairdale
Measured
96 kt (110 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$750,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
48.483, -98.233

Four 75 foot tall 30,000 bushel grain bins were crushed by the strong wind. These bins were about half full at the time. A roof was also blown off a fertilizer plant and numerous trees were uprooted. Several trees fell on rooftops and power was out in town for several hours.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When
July 2, 11:08 AM CST
Where
Walsh County, 2 mi NE of Fairdale
Measured
87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
48.500, -98.200

Two 4,000 bushel steel grain bins were ripped off their anchor bolts. A roof was also torn off a 35x70 foot steel shed and the debris was carried one-half mile into the adjacent fields.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When
July 2, 11:10 AM CST
Where
Walsh County, 4 mi ENE of Fairdale
Measured
87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates
48.500, -98.150

One 5,000 bushel steel grain bin was torn off its anchor bolts and portions of it were scattered for 200 yards into an adjacent field.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When
July 2, 11:16 AM CST
Where
Nelson County, Dahlen
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
48.150, -97.933

6 inch diameter tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cavalier

When
July 2, 11:20 AM CST
Where
Cavalier County, Langdon
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.750, -98.367

Scattered power outages were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When
July 2, 11:20 AM CST
Where
Walsh County, 10 mi WNW of Lankin
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.367, -98.117

Several 12-18 inch trees were broken off at their bases.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When
July 2, 11:25 AM CST
Where
Walsh County, Adams
Measured
74 kt (85 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
48.417, -98.067

Two steel 3,500 bushel hopper bins were blown over and numerous large trees were uprooted. The city park reported about $3,000 in damages. Scattered power outages also occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cavalier

When
July 2, 11:25 AM CST
Where
Cavalier County, 8 mi SW of Milton
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.550, -98.167

Large trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cavalier

When
July 2, 11:28 AM CST
Where
Cavalier County, 1 mi E of Milton
Measured
87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
UTILITY COMPANY
Coordinates
48.633, -98.033

Engineers for United Telephone estimated a 125 mph wind gust (at 400 feet AGL) broke off a 7 inch diameter fiberglass antenna mounted on a tower.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cavalier

When
July 2, 11:30 AM CST
Where
Cavalier County, Union
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
48.550, -97.933

A 35 foot tall pine tree was blown down along with numerous branches.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pembina

When
July 2, 11:35 AM CST
Where
Pembina County, 8 mi WSW of Crystal
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.550, -97.833

A large tree was blown across a driveway.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When
July 2, 11:40 AM CST
Where
Walsh County, Edinburg
Measured
74 kt (85 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
48.500, -97.850

Large mature trees were blown down by the strong wind, causing scattered power outages. $5,000 in damages occurred to phone lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When
July 2, 11:40 AM CST
Where
Grand Forks County, Orr
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.100, -97.683

A 6 inch diameter tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When
July 2, 11:45 AM CST
Where
Walsh County, Park River
Measured
62 kt (71 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
48.400, -97.733

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pembina

When
July 2, 11:50 AM CST
Where
Pembina County, Walhalla
Measured
62 kt (71 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
48.917, -97.900

Numerous trees were blown down, some falling on homes and cars. Several fences were also blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When
July 2, 11:55 AM CST
Where
Walsh County, 9 mi NNW of Grafton
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
48.533, -97.483

Shingles were blown off a roof.

Hail, Griggs

When
July 2, 12:05 PM CST
Where
Griggs County, 5 mi S of Cooperstown
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
47.383, -98.117

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When
July 2, 12:05 PM CST
Where
Walsh County, 12 mi NE of Grafton
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.533, -97.217

Large tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pembina

When
July 2, 12:15 PM CST
Where
Pembina County, Pembina
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.967, -97.250

Tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walsh

When
July 2, 12:30 PM CST
Where
Walsh County, 7 mi NE of Grafton
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
48.483, -97.300

A large cottonwood tree was blown down.

Hail, Steele

When
July 2, 12:35 PM CST
Where
Steele County, 6 mi SSW of Finley
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
47.433, -97.900

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When
July 2, 12:57 PM CST
Where
Grand Forks County, Merrifield
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
47.850, -97.100

Hail, Grand Forks

When
July 2, 12:59 PM CST
Where
Grand Forks County, Grand Forks
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
47.917, -97.050

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in North Dakota in 2003Every state in 2003This day in weather historyWarnings in North Dakota, July 2003

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5368667, 5368735, 5368736, 5368737, 5368738, 5368739, 5368740, 5368741, 5368742, 5368743, 5368744, 5368745, 5368746, 5377247, 5377962, 5377248, 5377249, 5377250, 5377251, 5377252, 5377253, 5377254, 5377255, 5377256, 5377257, 5377553, 5377554, 5377951, 5377555, 5377556, 5377952, 5377953, 5377964, 5377963, 5377954, 5377955, 5377956, 5377957, 5377958, 5377959, and more.