A mid level low pressure system moved into north central and northeast North Dakota on the afternoon of May 30th. With daytime heating and the cold air aloft, favorable conditions for funnel clouds resulted.
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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.
A mid level low pressure system moved into north central and northeast North Dakota on the afternoon of May 30th. With daytime heating and the cold air aloft, favorable conditions for funnel clouds resulted.
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 May 30, 2:49 PM CST, 57 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 349 PM CDT Wed May 30 2018 .SHORT TERM...(This afternoon through Thursday) Issued at 347 PM CDT Wed May 30 2018 Negatively tilted H5 trough is moving over our CWA, and WV imagery shows potential for closed circulation over the RRV. Convergence along stalled frontal zone has helped with thunderstorm Initiation, and inn areas of clearing temperatures have increased allowing for an increase in low level lapse rates and instability (MLCAPE generally 1000-1500 J/KG). Effective shear hasn't been supporting of organized severe threat, but there have been a few borderline cells briefly pulsing up. Strong surface vorticity, cold pool aloft, and steep low level lapse rates may lead to potential for funnel or even Landspout development before sunset and this will need to continued to be monitored particularly where there is clearing near updrafts and along boundary interactions. High PWATs (around 1.4") do support heavy downpours, so localized flood threat can't be ruled out with any slower moving thunderstorm activity. Trend should be for trough to transition eastward through the evening and with loss of daytime head an overall weakening of thunderstorm activity. Thursday: Trough transitions east of the region by Thursday morning, with much more stable/subsident air mass in its wake (favoring dry conditions). Some high res guidance shows a weak precip signal in our northeast, but confidence is low based on pattern shift and consensus favoring dry conditions. Post frontal air mass will begin to moderate slightly, but we shouldn't see a trend of the hotter temperatures yet (still expecting 70s/lower 80s for highs. .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Wednesday) Issued at 347 PM CDT Wed May 30 2018 Upper ridging over forecast area Thu night will propagate to the east early Fri as next 500 mb trough enters western Montana before moving to the east into ND by early Sat. Higher PWATs spreading into area on Fri will increase tstm chances during Fri aftn into the eve. Cold front to clear the RRV Sat morning but upper trof lagging behind could be instability-providing factor later in the aftn. Temps cool down to near normal levels after this system for Sunday and into early next week. The previous timing differences between the GFS and ECMWF are not present in the current operational versions for Mon when it appears that NW flow will take hold and provide dry conditions. Ridging should be in place on Tue before turning more southwest with the next pcpn chance for Wed. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday afternoon) Issued at 1249 PM CDT Wed May 30 2018 VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period, with shower/thunderstorm activity main aviation concern. Brief reductions in vis are possible in thunderstorm activity, but am not confident enough to do more than add shower/thunderstorm mention at this time as occurrence of stronger thunderstorms at any terminal is not guaranteed. Radar shows thunderstorm, activity increasing in coverage across eastern ND and spread westward through the afternoon/evening. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && SHORT TERM...DJR LONG TERM...WJB AVIATION...DJR
Hazardous Weather Outlook...CORRECTED National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 405 AM CDT Wed May 30 2018 MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024- 026>030-038-039-049-052>054-310915- 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 County-Eddy-Nelson- Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent- Richland-Western Walsh County- 405 AM CDT Wed May 30 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Funnels are possible across portions of eastern North Dakota as an upper low moves across the area. Chances for thunderstorms will increase throughout the day, with the strongest storms generally across northeastern North Dakota. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday There will be periods of thunderstorms throughout the long term period. On Friday, there is a chance across eastern North Dakota for thunderstorms capable of producing hail larger than one inch and/or wind gusts over 60 mph. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required on Friday. Speicher/Riddle
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 1256 PM CDT Wed May 30 2018 NDZ026>030-038-039-049-052-053-302000- Nelson-Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom- Sargent-Richland- Including the cities of Lakota, Mcville, Aneta, Tolna, Grand Forks, Cooperstown, Finley, Hope, Mayville, Hillsboro, Hatton, Portland, Valley City, Fargo, Lisbon, Enderlin, Gwinner, Milnor, Forman, Rutland, and Wahpeton 1256 PM CDT Wed May 30 2018 ...FUNNEL CLOUDS POSSIBLE ACROSS EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA... Showers and thunderstorms have developed parts of eastern North Dakota. Conditions are favorable for funnel clouds with any thunderstorm that does develop. These types of funnel clouds are usually short lived, however, they can and occasionally do touch the ground and cause minor damage. Because of this possibility, If you see one of these funnel clouds approaching the ground, take cover immediately. DJR
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Eastern ND/Grand Forks ND 1258 PM CDT WED MAY 30 2018 NDZ028-029-038-301900- Griggs ND-Steele ND-Barnes ND- 1258 PM CDT WED MAY 30 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN GRIGGS... NORTHEASTERN BARNES AND SOUTHWESTERN STEELE COUNTIES UNTIL 200 PM CDT... At 1258 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Sibley, or 14 miles north of Valley City, moving north at 10 mph. Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Sibley around 130 PM CDT. Luverne around 140 PM CDT. Hannaford and Walum around 200 PM CDT. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks. && LAT...LON 4709 9781 4703 9806 4732 9827 4740 9789 TIME...MOT...LOC 1758Z 161DEG 8KT 4714 9797 NC
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Eastern ND/Grand Forks ND 111 PM CDT WED MAY 30 2018 NDZ027-301915- Grand Forks ND- 111 PM CDT WED MAY 30 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN GRAND FORKS COUNTY UNTIL 215 PM CDT... At 110 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Larimore, or 26 miles west of Grand Forks#commaOrEllipsis()moving north at 15 mph. Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Larimore around 120 PM CDT. Arvilla around 125 PM CDT. Turtle River State Park around 135 PM CDT. McCanna around 140 PM CDT. Honeyford around 155 PM CDT. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks. && LAT...LON 4777 9753 4779 9779 4808 9781 4805 9741 TIME...MOT...LOC 1810Z 186DEG 14KT 4787 9765 NC
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Eastern ND/Grand Forks ND 147 PM CDT WED MAY 30 2018 NDZ027-301945- Grand Forks ND- 147 PM CDT WED MAY 30 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL GRAND FORKS COUNTY UNTIL 245 PM CDT... At 147 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Turtle River State Park, or 18 miles west of Grand Forks, moving north at 10 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Emerado around 155 PM CDT. Grand Forks AFB around 210 PM CDT. Honeyford around 235 PM CDT. Mekinock around 240 PM CDT. Gilby and Johnstown around 245 PM CDT. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks. && LAT...LON 4783 9739 4789 9764 4817 9755 4808 9717 TIME...MOT...LOC 1847Z 201DEG 7KT 4794 9748 NC
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN ND/GRAND FORKS ND
259 PM CDT WED MAY 30 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0245 PM HEAVY RAIN 4 N HOPE 47.38N 97.72W
05/30/2018 M3.05 INCH Steele ND PUBLIC
0245 PM HEAVY RAIN 1 NW HOPE 47.33N 97.73W
05/30/2018 M2.37 INCH Steele ND PUBLIC
0245 PM HEAVY RAIN LUVERNE 47.25N 97.93W
05/30/2018 M1.60 INCH STEELE ND PUBLIC
&&
ALEESpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Eastern ND/Grand Forks ND 317 PM CDT WED MAY 30 2018 NDZ038-302115- Barnes ND- 317 PM CDT WED MAY 30 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN BARNES COUNTY UNTIL 415 PM CDT... At 316 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7 miles south of Valley City, moving east at 10 mph. Dime size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Fingal around 415 PM CDT. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks. && LAT...LON 4673 9813 4685 9814 4690 9769 4666 9768 TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 265DEG 9KT 4682 9803 NC/Hopkins
The Aberdeen radar (KABR), 123 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:47 UTC.
2 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
Three brief funnel clouds were reported over a several minute period. The funnels formed and dissipated quite quickly under high based thunderstorms.
A few brief funnel clouds formed and quickly dissipated over Kensington and Rushford townships, between Pisek and Park River, between 6:30 pm and 650 pm CDT. The last of these was reported as a brief non-damaging touchdown northeast of Pisek.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Dakota in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in North Dakota, May 2018
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: 752529, 752530.