Surface low pressure system tracked across the North Dakota/South Dakota border creating an environment supporting the threat for low top supercells in Southeastern North Dakota into adjacent West Central Minnesota. Several low-top supercells developed and tracked along portions of the Minnesota Red River Valley.
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.
Surface low pressure system tracked across the North Dakota/South Dakota border creating an environment supporting the threat for low top supercells in Southeastern North Dakota into adjacent West Central Minnesota. Several low-top supercells developed and tracked along portions of the Minnesota Red River Valley. Portions of Norman, Polk, Becker, and Mahnomen counties saw multiple tornadoes. Large hail and damaging winds accompanied some of these storms, and flash flooding in some locations as well.
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 24, 1:57 PM CST, 21 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 257 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday night) Issued at 250 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023 Key Messages: -Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms late this afternoon and into the evening hours for west central Minnesota into the southern Red River Valley. -Canadian wildfire smoke moves into areas along the international border through Sunday creating hazy conditions at times. -Widespread rain through tomorrow afternoon, with isolated amounts up to 2 inches possible. Discussion: Low pressure system is centered over SE ND towards Sargent, Ransom, and Barnes county. Warm front extents out through lakes country, with a broad area of light to moderate rain toward the north. The broad area of rain and isolated embedded thunderstorms extends north of I 94 towards Highway 2. This zone of rain is synoptically driven, with weak frontogentic features creating the isolated embedded thunderstorms. Rainfall rates have been generally up to 0.5 inches per hour. The deformation zone will continue to pivot across the central Red River Valley, extending back into the Devils Lake Region this afternoon and evening. Satellite indicates scattered to broken clouds beneath the warm front in west central MN towards SE ND. This is an area to watch for redevelopment of shower and storms later this afternoon and evening. Current mesoanalysis indicates a surge of Surface Vorticity and moisture into west central MN. Areas toward Richland, Sargent, and Ransom have surface vorticity mixed with steep level lapse rates, and low level instability. This combined with the presence of the surface low pressure to the west brings the chance for cold core funnels this afternoon and early evening across far SE ND. Thus an SPS was issued for SE ND and into adjacent west central MN through the early evening. There does exist the slight chance a few could turn into landspouts where enhanced stretching potential is higher. This would be where the highest surface vorticity would be located. At this time that would be closer to the west central MN area. 0-6km shear is 30-35kts, low level directional shear sharply veers, frontogentic forcing is stronger, and a surge of instability indicate the redevelopment potential for thunderstorms in west central MN into the southern Red River Valley later this afternoon and evening. NAM/HRRR guidance indicates ML CAPE increasing toward 1000 J/kg, low level cumulus development, and strong low level shear around the 4- 9pm hour. This is the window of opportunity for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop. Low top supercells will be possible due to the strong low level shear and strong surface vorticity around the warm front. Uncertainty arises with the current radar indicating early development storms across SE ND and west central MN. This could stabilize the air further and decrease the chances later on. None the less the main threats for this afternoon and evening will be winds up to 60mph, quarter size hail, and the possibility of tornadoes. Thunderstorm chances dwindle overnight, but the consistent deformation zone of rain moves eastward across the forecast area as the surface low pushes toward the Great Lakes. Probabilities of seeing an inch or greater are 30-50% from Fargo towards Lake of the Woods. Isolated higher amounts up to 2 inches are possible from now through tomorrow afternoon within areas of prolonged moderate rainfall rates. Lingering showers are possible Sunday afternoon, with warming temperatures in the Devils Lake region towards the mid to upper 70s. Areas in lakes country (where the rain is forecasted to last longer) will only see highs in the mid 60s. There will be lingering wild fire smoke from Canada that may mix down to the surface through Monday morning along Highway 2 points northward. This could create some hazy conditions at times when not raining. .LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday) Issued at 250 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023 Key Messages: -Warming trend through the week thanks to increased 500mb heights from a brief ridge early in the weekend. -Flow turns zonal mid week, with increasing chances for showers and storms mid week. Uncertainty with the development and strength of storms at this time. Discussion: Behind the low pressure system (affecting the region this weekend) we start to get a NW flow as a ridge breaks down out west. There will be a chance for showers and storms Tuesday into Wednesday as a shortwave moves down from Canada. Instability remains weak, with MUCAPE up to 1500 J/kg for eastern ND and shear around 15-20kts in the 0-6km realm. The directional component of the shear is backing instead of veering limiting the development of stronger storms. The rain chances are synoptically driven, with embedded weak thunderstorms. The main axis of precipitation looks to remain further toward our west, with chances of exceeding an inch being 10-20% back toward the James River Valley. Flow then turns zonal mid week, with 500mb heights increasing. This is thanks to low to mid level temperature advection and surging moisture from the Gulf. The ridge breaks down and shifts eastward, but we get continued chances for shortwaves on the northern side of the ridge. Further chances of showers and potential thunderstorms will be possible mid to late weak thanks to the deamplified ridge. Cluster analysis indicates a wet signal for the region mid to late weak, but just how strong these short waves are remains uncertain. Some guidance wants to introduce more SW flow, while others keep us in zonal flow limiting convection around the area. One thing is certain and that is the high temperatures remaining around the upper 70s to low 80s through the later portions of next week. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon) Issued at 1215 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023 Broad area of rain along the Hwy 200 corridor is drifting WNW affecting all sites this afternoon. IFR conditions underneath the rain, while areas to the north and south of the main area of rain we are seeing MVFR conditions. The main area of low pressure is along the SD/ND border and will drift ENE into SE ND by mid afternoon. As this happens winds will shift toward the North for all TAF locations. Winds will be breezy, gusting up to 30kts for all sites except BJI. There will be isolated strong to severe thunderstorms late afternoon and evening for BJI and FAR. Incorporated -TSRA into the BJI and FAR TAFs to account for the thunderstorms. Post 05z we should only see continued rain chances for all sites, but thunderstorm activity should diminish. A slow progression post 12z of the rain moving eastward clearing out in DVL first then GFK, TVF, and FAR by 17z. BJI should stay in the rain band through tomorrow afternoon. IFR conditions underneath any rain, with MVFR outside of the rain through the TAF period. VFR conditions expected tomorrow post 16z for all sites, but BJI. In any area of thunderstorm activity late this afternoon and into the evening could see erratic wind speeds and changes in directions at times. && .FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ND...None. MN...None. && SHORT TERM...Spender LONG TERM...Spender AVIATION...Spender
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 840 AM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023 MNZ003-024-027>032-040-250930- Clay-Hubbard-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin-West Otter Tail- East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant- 840 AM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A tornado or two is possible this afternoon in west central Minnesota along with the threat for quarter sized hail and 60 mph winds. Rain will continue across to accumulate with another 1-2 inches today for much of the area. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Chances for rain continue however the probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. MNZ001-002-004>009-013>017-022-023-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-026>030- 038-039-049-052>054-250930- West Polk-Norman-Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-West Marshall- East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake-East Polk- North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen-South Clearwater-Towner- Cavalier-Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh-Eddy-Nelson- Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent- Richland-Western Walsh- 840 AM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Rain continues today with another 1-2 inches possible from Cooperstown to Bemidji and south but any severe weather stays confined to west central Minnesota. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Chances for rain continue however the probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
220 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023
NDZ039-242000-
Cass ND-
220 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central Cass
County through 300 PM CDT...
At 220 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout near Amenia, or 23 miles west of
Fargo, moving north at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts, winds in excess of 40 mph, and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
objects.
Locations impacted include...
Arthur, Hunter, Amenia and Erie.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4696 9737 4724 9751 4724 9711 4702 9714
TIME...MOT...LOC 1920Z 173DEG 20KT 4699 9729
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
LynchSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
243 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023
MNZ002-NDZ030-039-242030-
Norman MN-Traill ND-Cass ND-
243 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Norman,
northeastern Cass and southeastern Traill Counties through 330 PM
CDT...
At 242 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout near Perley, or 19 miles north of
Fargo, moving north at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts, winds in excess of 40 mph, and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
objects.
Locations impacted include...
Hillsboro, Halstad, Hendrum, Shelly, Grandin, Perley and Gardner.
This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 82 and 107.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4709 9701 4744 9716 4749 9676 4715 9676
4715 9684 4714 9683 4713 9683 4713 9682
4709 9682 4708 9685
TIME...MOT...LOC 1942Z 165DEG 27KT 4715 9688
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
LynchPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
245 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0228 PM Funnel Cloud 3 N Harwood 47.02N 96.88W
06/24/2023 Cass ND Broadcast Media
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
304 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0300 PM Funnel Cloud 5 NE Gardner 47.19N 96.89W
06/24/2023 Cass ND Trained Spotter
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
306 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023
MNZ002-003-242045-
Clay MN-Norman MN-
306 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central Clay
and central Norman Counties through 345 PM CDT...
At 306 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout over Borup, or 25 miles northeast of
Fargo, moving north at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
objects.
Locations impacted include...
Ada, Borup, Lockhart and Hadler.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4715 9640 4709 9649 4714 9670 4746 9676
4747 9637
TIME...MOT...LOC 2006Z 176DEG 28KT 4720 9655
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
LynchSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
314 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023
MNZ002-022-027-242100-
West Becker MN-Mahnomen MN-Norman MN-
314 PM CDT Sat Jun 24 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Norman,
southwestern Mahnomen and northwestern Becker Counties through 400 PM
CDT...
At 313 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout 8 miles east of Hitterdal, or 18
miles northwest of Detroit Lakes, moving north at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated, funnel cloud on webcam.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
objects.
Locations impacted include...
Waubun, Ogema and Flom.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4696 9596 4690 9607 4692 9618 4697 9617
4698 9619 4728 9614 4723 9583
TIME...MOT...LOC 2013Z 189DEG 27KT 4702 9610
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
LynchThe Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 115 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:18 UTC.
11 tornado, 2 hail, 2 flash flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Someone on twitter sent us a video of a tornado on the ground 6W of Callaway. The tornado occurred in an open field, which mitigated any damage it would have caused. Therefore, EF-U rating assigned with an estimated path length and width.
Spotter sent us a photo of a tornado on the ground via Twitter. It occurred in open fields, which mitigated any damage. Therefore, the rating of EF-U has been assigned with estimated path width and length.
Spotter called with reports of a tornado with intermittent touchdown near Waubun, MN. It occurred in open fields, which mitigated any damage. Therefore, the rating of EF-U has been assigned with an estimated path width and length.
Brief spin up was reported in an open field which mitigated any damage. Therefore, the rating of EF-U has been assigned with estimated path width and length.
Norman county Emergency Manager confirmed tornado touchdown east of Shelly, heading N-NW. This tornado lifted across the county line into Polk county. It occurred in open fields, which mitigated any damage. Therefore, the rating of EF-U has been assigned with an estimated path width and length.
Tornado confirmed to go through a tree grove near Lockhart and cause damage. Damage to softwood trees was found with no other damage discerned as it tracked northwest into open fields thus the tornado was given an EF-0 rating.
This is a tornado that continued into Polk county from Norman Co. It moved into an open fields, which mitigated any damage and quickly diminished. Therefore, the rating of EF-U has been assigned with an estimated path width and length.
This tornado touched down south of Mahnomen at 4:15 PM. The highest damage it caused was rated as an EF-2. Among the damage it caused as it continued across its 6 mile path was trees snapped and uprooted (both hard and soft wood), metal garage slid off its foundation and collapsed, crop damage, Quonset caved in on one side, roofing blown off homes, broken power line poles, and lifting fuel tankers full of 250 gallons of fuel and throwing them at a barn. Damage dollar amounts are estimated.
A spotter reported brief touchdown near Flom. It occurred in open fields, which mitigated any damage. Therefore, the rating of EF-U has been assigned with an estimated path width and length.
Valley News Broadcaster reports quarter-sized hail in Mahnomen.
A spotter reported another touchdown near Beltrami MN. It occurred in open fields, which mitigated any damage. Therefore, the rating of EF-U has been assigned with estimated path width and length.
Spotter called about a tornado forming in a field. Subsequent video showed the tornado lifting in the field at the end point. It occurred remained in an open field, which mitigated any damage. Therefore, the rating of EF-U has been assigned with an estimated path width and length.
Hail up to quarter-sized and 40 to 50 MPH winds estimated at Big Timber Lodge. Time estimated via radar.
Small tree downed in addition to pea-sized hail and very heavy rain. Time estimated from radar.
Public reports a foot of standing water on HWY 92 S of Bagley.
Law Enforcement reports flash flooding with a squad car under water.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Minnesota in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Minnesota, 2023Warnings in Minnesota, June 2023
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: 1114337, 1114338, 1114342, 1114371, 1114348, 1114345, 1119286, 1114366, 1114350, 1117676, 1114347, 1114341, 1117678, 1117679, 1117674, 1117675.