Monday July 17th was another hot and humid day, especially across southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota. In Minnesota, temperatures peaked at 96 at Park Rapids and 93 at Elbow Lake, in North Dakota, it was 95 near McLeod, 94 at Fargo, and 93 at Gwinner, and in northeast South Dakota, Aberdeen hit 104 and Sisseton 101.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS FGF wrote it up.
Monday July 17th was another hot and humid day, especially across southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota. In Minnesota, temperatures peaked at 96 at Park Rapids and 93 at Elbow Lake, in North Dakota, it was 95 near McLeod, 94 at Fargo, and 93 at Gwinner, and in northeast South Dakota, Aberdeen hit 104 and Sisseton 101. Severe thunderstorms formed right near the Wahpeton-Breckenridge area, on eastward into the Perham, Minnesota, area. These storms produced large hail and very heavy rain. As the early evening progressed, the storms gradually sunk south-southeast into central Minnesota.
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 17, 1:07 PM CST, 1 hour 48 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 207 PM CDT Mon Jul 17 2017 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday) Issued at 121 PM CDT Mon Jul 17 2017 Expecting convective initiation 20-22z time frame as any cap eroding and airmass continues to destabilize with around 5 more degrees to reach convective temperatures. CAMs seem to have a relatively good handle on expected outcome and makes sense considering current conditions and expected frontal position. Prime area for severe storms likely along and south of a Lisbon- FAR- BJI line. Large hail and damaging winds main concern however a little concerned with mini surface low over far se ND and tornado potential so will be watching this area close. Convection should propagate e-se through early evening so does not look like a long lived event. More uncertain about later tonight as CAMs farther north with next batch of shra/tsra associated with exit region/nose of another jet streak. Pop location across the south will be the main challenge for tomorrow. Otherwise drier and cooler airmass working into the fa should keep severe threat to our south. Generally kept pops along and south of I94 for now. Temperatures will be at or a few degrees blo seasonal averages. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Monday) Issued at 121 PM CDT Mon Jul 17 2017 Surface high pressure is in control to start the period as the upper pattern becomes more zonal and the jet sets up along the international border. Models indicate a few waves propagating through the flow...and the resultant instability will bring chances for more precipitation on Wednesday...then again late Friday and into Saturday. Temperatures for the remainder of the period should be more seasonable...with highs in the 80s and lows in the lower 60s through the end of the period. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon) Issued at 1253 PM CDT Mon Jul 17 2017 Best potential for redevelopment this afternoon will be roughly along and south of a line from FAR to BJI with both sites on edge. Added tempo or vc group into early evening. Otherwise VFR conditions expected through the period. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && SHORT TERM...Voelker LONG TERM...Hopkins AVIATION...Voelker
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 622 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2017 NDZ006>008-014>016-024-026-028-054-181130- Towner-Cavalier-Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh County-Eddy- Nelson-Griggs-Western Walsh County- 622 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required. MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ027-029-030-038-039-049- 052-053-181130- 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-Grand Forks-Steele- Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland- 622 AM CDT Mon Jul 17 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening over the area. Thunderstorms are expected to develop after 3 PM CDT and should end around 11 PM CDT. Hail to 2 inches in diameter and wind gusts to 70 mph are forecast. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required. JH
The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 180 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:53 UTC.
7 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A semi truck and trailer combination was blown over on U. S. Highway 10.
The large hail fell across southern Orwell Township.
Quarter to half dollar sized hail fell.
Quarter to golf ball sized hail fell, covering the highway.
Quarter to golf ball sized hail and strong winds were reported across southern Aastad Township.
Quarter to ping pong ball sized hail fell near Interstate 94 in western Pelican Lake Township.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Minnesota in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Minnesota, July 2017
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: 700795, 700796, 700797, 700798, 700799, 700800, 700801, 700802.