Tornadoes and Hail in North Dakota, June 8 to 9, 2020

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in North Dakota, June 8 to 9, 2020
Start: 2020-06-08T14:02
End: 2020-06-09T01:08
Location: North Dakota

June 8 to 9, 2020 · NWS FGF · 14 events in 4 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: $40,000
Crop damage: $2,000
Events: 14

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.

For this event, the 500mb pattern featured ridging over eastern Minnesota and Wisconsin, with south-southwest flow over eastern North Dakota and the northwest quarter of Minnesota. At the surface, by the early afternoon of June 8th, a cold front had set up along a line from Cavalier to Oakes, North Dakota, with the Red River Valley into adjacent areas of the northwest quarter of Minnesota in the warm sector. In this warm sector, temperatures ranged in the 80s with dew points around 70. By the mid afternoon, thunderstorms initially formed along the boundary over northeast North Dakota and tracked into the far northwest corner of Minnesota. By late afternoon, additional storms formed around Cooperstown, North Dakota, and also tracked northeast into the far northwest corner of Minnesota. Kittson County, Minnesota, received several rounds of heavy rainfall. By mid evening, most storms tracked between Thief River Falls and Lake of the Woods. Finally, more storms formed and tracked across portions of west central Minnesota during the early morning hours of June 9th.

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 Jun 8, 1:15 PM CST, 47 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 8, 1:15 PM CST, 47 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
215 PM CDT Mon Jun 8 2020

.MESOSCALE DISCUSSION...
Issued at 215 PM CDT Mon Jun 8 2020

Two areas of concern for severe potential today. The first is
across the northern valley where a warm front is set up and
satellite imagery indicates an area of increased convergence
across northeast North Dakota. Convective initiation is likely by
4pm, if not before. MLCAPE ~2500 J/KG with effective shear ~60
knots will lead to rapid supercell development. Storm mode should
be discrete initially with significant hail, wind, and possibly a
tornado the main threats. Tornado potential appears relatively low
given the weak low level shear and winds south of the boundary
more southwesterly (southeasterly would be more favorable). With
that said, given a supercell in a low LCL environment can't rule
out a tornado. Anticipate storm motion similar to boundary
orientation with a cluster (or clusters) of storms propagating
across far northwest Minnesota and the main threat possibly
transitioning to more of a wind threat. Severe threat across this
area likely ends by 9pm.

Further south within the warm sector (depicted by area of cumulus
clouds across the southern valley into west central Minnesota),
severe threat will be later, and likely dependent on synoptic
forcing spreading into the region from the south. Much like
yesterday, anticipate main threat to be significant wind gusts
given stronger low level flow. This threat increases after 6pm,
and becomes more widespread after 9pm or 10pm as the stronger
forcing arrives. The severe threat across this area decreases
after 2am or 3am.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday night)
Issued at 215 PM CDT Mon Jun 8 2020

See the mesoscale discussion concerning the severe weather
potential this afternoon/evening. Excessive rainfall threat seems
more limited compared to yesterday with less training expected.

Showers with embedded thunder likely for much of the area along
and east of the valley Tuesday into Tuesday night. Mid-level
baroclinic zone will be hung up in this area between the tropical
depression and an approaching upper trough from the northwest.
Continued feed of mid-level moisture and embedded shortwaves will
lead to periods of showers. Instability is relatively weak and
anticipate embedded thunder but not severe storms. Given all the
parameters (PWATs, Fgen, weak instability) thinking that Tuesday-
Tuesday night QPF up to an inch is reasonable, with only some
areas receiving a bit more. Impacts from this type of rainfall
(over a longer duration) should be only minor.

.LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Monday)
Issued at 215 PM CDT Mon Jun 8 2020

Much of this period appears relatively quiet and cooler with
minimal impacts as an upper ridge builds into the region. Active
weather returns by early next week, although how quickly this
happens is still uncertain and dependent on the strength of the
upper ridging.

Wednesday will be cloudy and cool with showers possible as the
upper trough behind the tropical depression swings through the
region.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon)
Issued at 1254 PM CDT Mon Jun 8 2020

Scattered to broken cumulus developing this afternoon should be
mainly VFR, but could be close to MVFR. Thunderstorm chances
increase this afternoon, and become more widespread overnight.

&&

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

MESOSCALE...TG
SHORT TERM...TG
LONG TERM...TG
AVIATION...TG

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 8, 1:37 PM CST, 25 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
237 PM CDT Mon Jun 8 2020

MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ008-016-026>030-038-039-
049-052>054-091945-
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-Pembina-
Eastern Walsh-Nelson-Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-
Ransom-Sargent-Richland-Western Walsh-
237 PM CDT Mon Jun 8 2020

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Numerous severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across
northeast North Dakota by 4pm, and then move east into northwest
Minnesota by late afternoon, exiting by early evening. Very large
hail greater than 2 inches along with a possible tornado will be
the initial threat, with a transition to a damaging wind threat as
the activity moves into Minnesota.

Additional numerous severe thunderstorms are expected to develop
across the southern Red River Valley into west central Minnesota
this evening, mainly after 6pm. Activity will become more
widespread after 9pm. Clusters of storms will bring primarily a
damaging wind threat to this area, continuing until well after
midnight.

Excessive rainfall is possible, especially for areas that have
seen high rain totals over the past couple days.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Showers with embedded Thunderstorms are expected on Tuesday,
mainly within the Red River Valley into Minnesota. Minor impacts
from excessive rainfall may be possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Storm spotters will be needed today into the overnight hours.

NDZ006-007-014-015-024-091945-
Towner-Cavalier-Benson-Ramsey-Eddy-
237 PM CDT Mon Jun 8 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North
Dakota.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter spotters will not be needed today.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 8, 11:55 AM CST, 2 hours 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
1255 PM CDT MON JUN 8 2020

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

0703 PM     HAIL             1 WSW JOLIETTE          48.82N 97.24W
06/07/2020  E1.00 INCH       PEMBINA            ND   PUBLIC

            QUARTER SIZED HAIL RELAYED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

&&

Local storm report, Jun 8, 12:39 PM CST, 1 hour 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
139 PM CDT MON JUN 8 2020

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

0806 PM     HAIL             2 ESE NEW ROCKFORD      47.67N 99.11W
06/07/2020  E2.00 INCH       EDDY               ND   PUBLIC

            REPORT OF 2 INCH HAIL VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

&&

Local storm report, Jun 8, 12:45 PM CST, 1 hour 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
145 PM CDT MON JUN 8 2020

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

0552 PM     HAIL             2 ENE TWIN VALLEY       47.26N 96.22W
06/07/2020  E1.00 INCH       NORMAN             MN   PUBLIC

            REPORT OF QUARTER SIZED HAIL VIA SOCIAL
            MEDIA.

&&

Special weather statement, Jun 8, 1:55 PM CST, 7 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
255 PM CDT Mon Jun 8 2020

NDZ008-016-054-082030-
Pembina ND-Eastern Walsh County ND-Western Walsh County ND-
255 PM CDT Mon Jun 8 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL WALSH AND SOUTHEASTERN
PEMBINA COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM CDT...

At 255 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Park River, or 18 miles west of Grafton, moving northeast at 40 mph.

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

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Mandt around 305 PM CDT.
  Hoople, Crystal and Nash around 315 PM CDT.
  Auburn around 320 PM CDT.
  St. Thomas around 325 PM CDT.
  Glasston around 330 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

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 4825 9774 4839 9803 4882 9751 4864 9720
TIME...MOT...LOC 1955Z 220DEG 36KT 4840 9780

NC

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 97 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:04 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 hail, 4 tornado, 3 thunderstorm wind, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Walsh

When: June 8, 2:02 PM CST
Where: Walsh County, 1.38 mi W of Grafton Arpt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 48.400, -97.400

Hail, Walsh

When: June 8, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Walsh County, 2.75 mi E of Kerry
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 48.450, -97.740

Tornado, Steele

When: June 8, 3:17 PM CST
Where: Steele County, 2.07 mi S of Sharon
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 47.570, -97.900

A video of a brief tornado touchdown was posted on social media. The touchdown occurred in an open field and no damage was noted. Peak winds were estimated at 70 mph.

Funnel Cloud, Grand Forks

When: June 8, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 8.41 mi S of Logan Center
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 47.680, -97.850

This funnel cloud was viewed by a spotter west of Hatton.

Tornado, Steele

When: June 8, 3:30 PM CST to 3:33 PM CST
Where: Steele County, 3.45 mi N of Sharon to 4.93 mi N of Sharon
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Continued into: Grand Forks, Nd (FGF)
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.650, -97.900

This tornado tracked intermittently to the north-northeast for over 7 miles, roughly 2 miles of the track in Steele County, then the remainder of the 5 miles in Grand Forks County (where it ended around 442 pm CDT). The tornado blew out the back wall of a pole shed and tore off some of its steel sheathing. It also snapped or uprooted several cottonwood and pine trees in shelterbelts along its path. Peak winds were estimated at 95 mph.

Tornado, Grand Forks

When: June 8, 3:33 PM CST to 3:42 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 9.4 mi SSW of Logan Center to 4.84 mi S of Logan Center
Rating: EF1
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.670, -97.880

This tornado began 4 miles north of Sharon, in Steele County, at 430 pm CDT. The tornado tracked for about 2 miles in Steele County, before it crossed into Grand Forks County, where the path continued for another 5 miles. The tornado blew out the back wall of a pole shed and also tore off some of its steel sheathing. It snapped or uprooted several cottonwood and pine trees in shelterbelts along its path. Peak winds were estimated at 95 mph.

Tornado, Grand Forks

When: June 8, 4:09 PM CST to 4:15 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 4.86 mi S of Arvilla to 2 mi SE of Arvilla
Rating: EF0
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $5,000
Crop damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.850, -97.490

This tornado tracked intermittently to the north-northeast for about 3 miles. It snapped a number of poplar or cottonwood trees in the few shelterbelts along its path. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Forks

When: June 8, 4:13 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 2.31 mi NE of Arvilla
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 47.940, -97.460

Strong winds hit the area northeast of Arvilla.

Hail, Grand Forks

When: June 8, 4:13 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 2.31 mi NE of Arvilla
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 47.940, -97.460

Hail, Grand Forks

When: June 8, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 0.46 mi E of Arvilla
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 47.920, -97.490

Hail, Grand Forks

When: June 8, 4:24 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 2.32 mi E of Arvilla
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.920, -97.450

Hail, Grand Forks

When: June 8, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 2.31 mi NW of Manvel
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.090, -97.210

Dime to quarter sized hail fell with 60 mph wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind, Richland

When: June 9, 12:52 AM CST
Where: Richland County, 3.16 mi SW of Mooreton
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 46.240, -96.920

The wind gust was measured by a NDAWN mesonet sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind, Richland

When: June 9, 1:08 AM CST
Where: Richland County, 0.84 mi SW of Wahpeton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 46.260, -96.610

A large tree limb was blown down on a house and fence.

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.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
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

Every storm in North Dakota in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history The tornado archive for North Dakota, 2020 Warnings in North Dakota, June 2020

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: 887993, 887994, 887998, 888000, 888016, 888030, 888021, 888022, 888028, 888023, 888024, 888025, 888026, 888027.