Tornadoes and Flash Flood in North Dakota, July 8 to 9, 2019

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flood in North Dakota, July 8 to 9, 2019
Start: 2019-07-08T14:10
End: 2019-07-09T02:00
Location: North Dakota

July 8 to 9, 2019 · NWS FGF · 30 events in 12 counties and zones

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: $10,000
Crop damage: $30,000
Events: 30

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 happened

The episode as NWS FGF wrote it up.

By mid afternoon of July 8th, temperatures across eastern North Dakota and the northwest quarter of Minnesota had risen into the mid to upper 80s with dew points in the mid 60s to low 70s. A stationary boundary set up from west of Bismarck to near Rolla, North Dakota. Thunderstorms initially fired along this boundary, but as the evening wore on, the storms merged into lines, which tracked to the east-southeast. These storms mainly produced strong winds, but heavy rain was also reported in many areas. The Fargo-Moorhead area picked up quite a bit of rain in a short period of time, which resulted in flash flooding.

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 8, 1:50 PM CST, 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 8, 1:50 PM CST, 20 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
250 PM CDT Mon Jul 8 2019

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday)
Issued at 250 PM CDT Mon Jul 8 2019

The Mesoscale discussion issued at 205pm covers the severe threat
over the next several hours.

Regarding the excessive rainfall threat...will issue a flash flood
watch for the Devils Lake basin. Storm movement is parallel to
the boundary so will have training of storms. Rainfall rates will
be intense given the high PWAT environment. The boundary is
expected to remain stationary for several hours until the cold
pool becomes sufficiently strong to lead to more forward
propagation of the convection (thus decreasing the flash flood
threat). Limited the flash flood watch to the Devils Lake basin in
effect until 9pm.

Upper low propagates into central North Dakota by Tuesday
afternoon. Anticipate several rounds of thunderstorms through
Tuesday night. Will need to monitor areas for excessive rainfall
given prolonged period of rainfall potential. Also, cold core
tornado setup (along with marginal hail/wind) possible Tuesday
afternoon where narrow axis of instability sets up.

.LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Monday)
Issued at 250 PM CDT Mon Jul 8 2019

Showers and storms will diminish during the day on Wednesday in
wake of departing surface system...and high pressure builds over
the region. Return flow on Thursday and Friday will bring
increased warmth and moisture. A weak trof will provide enough low
level convergence to trigger convection again on Friday.

Expect some unsettled weather to return over the weekend...with near
normal temperatures...to end the period.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon)
Issued at 107 PM CDT Mon Jul 8 2019

High confidence that thunderstorms will affect most TAF sites at
some point during the period. Did go with predominant thunder
where confidence was highest, and VCTS where confidence is
somewhat lower (and timing is later). Otherwise, expect gusty
southerly winds in some areas this afternoon. Cigs mainly VFR, but
there is the potential for IFR/MVFR in during the thunderstorms,
and more widespread on Tuesday.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...Flash Flood Watch until 9 PM CDT this evening for NDZ006>008-
     014>016-024-026-054.

MN...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...TG/Lee
LONG TERM...Hopkins
AVIATION...TG

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 8, 9:35 AM CST, 4 hours 35 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1035 AM CDT Mon Jul 8 2019

MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-
026>030-038-039-049-052>054-091200-
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-
1035 AM CDT Mon Jul 8 2019

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms possible over northeastern North Dakota
and northwest Minnesota during the late morning and early
afternoon period. These storms will remain weaker but could
produce lightning and brief heavy rainfall.

Stronger thunderstorms are expected to develop during the mid to
late afternoon over north central North Dakota between Devils Lake
and Minot. These initial scattered storms will bring a threat of
hail greater than 2 inches, wind gusts up to 70 mph, and possibly
a tornado. By the evening hours, these storms will form into a
line and move east and southeast into much of eastern North Dakota
and northwest Minnesota. As the storms transition into a line,
the main threats will be hail around 1 inch, wind gusts to 70 mph,
and excessive rainfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Showers and thunderstorms are expected Tuesday, ending Wednesday.
Locally heavy rainfall the main threat. There is also a risk for
isolated severe storms Tuesday afternoon with hail, wind, and a
tornado potential threats. Periodic thunderstorm chances exist
through the late week as well.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 8, 10:44 AM CST, 3 hours 26 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1144 AM CDT Mon Jul 8 2019

MNZ001-081715-
West Polk MN-
1144 AM CDT Mon Jul 8 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN POLK COUNTY UNTIL
1215 PM CDT...

At 1143 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Key West, or 9 miles northeast of Grand Forks, moving east at 25 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Euclid, Angus, Key West and Sherack.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4817 9651 4812 9650 4803 9650 4802 9648
      4793 9648 4793 9695 4803 9699
TIME...MOT...LOC 1643Z 257DEG 22KT 4798 9689

Lee

Special weather statement, Jul 8, 2:09 PM CST, 1 minute before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
309 PM CDT Mon Jul 8 2019

NDZ006-007-082100-
Towner ND-Cavalier ND-
309 PM CDT Mon Jul 8 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN TOWNER AND
SOUTHWESTERN CAVALIER COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM CDT...

At 309 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cando, or 33 miles northwest of Devils Lake, moving northeast at 15
mph.

Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Munich, Clyde, Alsen, Egeland, Calio, Arndt and Considine.

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.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
northeastern North Dakota.

LAT...LON 4885 9879 4856 9867 4854 9883 4854 9897
      4853 9897 4849 9927 4866 9933
TIME...MOT...LOC 2009Z 240DEG 13KT 4856 9916

Lee

The radar

The Minot AFB radar (KMBX), 145 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:12 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

26 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado, 1 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Towner

When: July 8, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Towner County, 10.71 mi ENE of Rocklake
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.850, -99.020

Large hail and strong winds damaged crops in east central Lansing Township.

Tornado, Towner

When: July 8, 3:06 PM CST to 3:07 PM CST
Where: Towner County, 5.53 mi S of Newville
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.2 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 48.490, -99.000

This tornado tracked for less than a quarter mile. Peak winds were estimated at 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benson

When: July 8, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Benson County, 8.61 mi SSW of Hesper
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.860, -99.680

Wind and wind driven hail did considerable crop damage across southern East Fork Township. Sections of cropland were laid flat.

Tornado, Cavalier

When: July 8, 3:32 PM CST to 3:35 PM CST
Where: Cavalier County, 5.6 mi S of Calio to 4 mi SSE of Calio
Rating: EF0
Path length: 3.06 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.550, -98.940

This tornado was likely wrapped in downburst winds and hail across portions of southwest Seivert Township, causing crop and tree damage. Peak winds were estimated at 85 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cavalier

When: July 8, 3:35 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Cavalier County, 5.6 mi S of Calio
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.550, -98.940

Crops were laid flat across southern Seivert Township after multiple rounds of large hail, strong winds, and heavy rain.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cavalier

When: July 8, 4:01 PM CST
Where: Cavalier County, 1.14 mi NE of Langdon
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 48.760, -98.350

The wind gust was measured by a 10 meter high NDAWN mesonet sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ramsey

When: July 8, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, 3.58 mi SSE of Southam
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.120, -98.530

Large branches were blown down in a shelterbelt.

Thunderstorm Wind, Eddy

When: July 8, 5:05 PM CST
Where: Eddy County, 6.29 mi S of Hamar
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.760, -98.570

Large branches were blown down at farmsteads and tree claims throughout central Colvin Township.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pembina

When: July 8, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Pembina County, Cavalier
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 48.800, -97.620

The wind gust was measured at the Cavalier airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pembina

When: July 8, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Pembina County, 0.69 mi N of Hamilton
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 48.810, -97.450

Several large tree branches were blown down in town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When: July 8, 5:29 PM CST
Where: Nelson County, 2.27 mi NNE of Pekin
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 47.810, -98.300

The wind gust was measured by a NDAWN mesonet station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When: July 8, 5:33 PM CST
Where: Nelson County, 0.83 mi NW of Pekin
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 47.790, -98.330

Cars were blown off highway 15 near Pekin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Griggs

When: July 8, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Griggs County, 6.49 mi SSW of Jessie
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 47.440, -98.270

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When: July 8, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Nelson County, 4.63 mi NE of Mc Ville Arpt
Measured: 68 kt (78 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.820, -98.100

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When: July 8, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Nelson County, 0.47 mi W of Aneta
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 47.680, -97.990

A large pine tree was snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Steele

When: July 8, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Steele County, 7.55 mi ENE of Hope
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.360, -97.580

Several large branches were blown down in farm yards across northwest Edendale Township.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: July 8, 6:28 PM CST to 6:36 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 1.38 mi S of (Rdr)grand Forks Afb
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 47.930, -97.400

The wind gusts were measured by a ND DOT RWIS station along highway 2.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: July 8, 6:29 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 0.46 mi E of Emerado
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 47.920, -97.360

About one third of the shingles and a few pieces of plywood roofing were torn off an apartment building.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: July 8, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 0.46 mi W of (Gfk)grand Forks Int
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 47.950, -97.190

The wind gust was measured at the Grand Forks airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: July 8, 6:31 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 1.15 mi NE of (Rdr)grand Forks Afb
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 47.960, -97.380

The wind gust was measured at the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

Thunderstorm Wind, Traill

When: July 8, 6:38 PM CST
Where: Traill County, 1.97 mi SE of Buxton
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.580, -97.070

A few poplar trees were blown down in a shelterbelt.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: July 8, 6:39 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 1.66 mi SW of Grand Forks
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 47.900, -97.070

Large tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: July 8, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 0.93 mi W of Grand Forks
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 47.920, -97.070

A large tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: July 8, 6:42 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 2.5 mi SW of Merrifield
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 47.820, -97.130

A semi truck and trailer were blown off Interstate 29.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: July 8, 6:43 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 2.27 mi NNE of Bolack
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 47.980, -97.110

The wind gust was measured by a ND DOT RWIS sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cass

When: July 8, 6:59 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 0.94 mi E of Hunter
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 47.180, -97.200

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cass

When: July 8, 7:58 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 1.67 mi SE of Cotter
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 46.830, -96.830

Thunderstorm Wind, Cass

When: July 8, 8:24 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 1.98 mi SE of Cotter
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 46.830, -96.820

A 12 inch diameter tree was snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cass

When: July 8, 9:34 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 0.84 mi SW of Fargo
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 46.860, -96.790

Strong winds blew tree branches down onto power lines, resulting in sporadic power outages.

Flash Flood, Cass

When: July 8, 10:06 PM CST to July 9, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Cass County, 1 mi NW of Fargo to 1 mi SW of Fargo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Crop damage: $30,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.880, -96.795

Two to four inches of rain fell quickly, flooding low lying areas throughout the Fargo area.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
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.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Dakota in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history The tornado archive for North Dakota, 2019 Warnings in North Dakota, July 2019

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: 829025, 829026, 829027, 829029, 829030, 829031, 829032, 829033, 829034, 829036, 829037, 829038, 829039, 829040, 829041, 829042, 829043, 829044, 829045, 829046, 829047, 829048, 829049, 829050, 829052, 829053, 829054, 829055, 829057, 829056.