North Dakota, 2023

Hail and Damaging Winds in North Dakota, July 26, 2023

July 26, 2023 · NWS BIS · 8 events in 3 counties and zones

Thunderstorms developed in an environment of strong instability ahead of an advancing cold front. One storm split, and the left moving cell from this split produced very strong winds estimated at 90 mph resulting in damage through south central North Dakota.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$350,000
Crop damage
$50,000
Events
8

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 BIS wrote it up.

Thunderstorms developed in an environment of strong instability ahead of an advancing cold front. One storm split, and the left moving cell from this split produced very strong winds estimated at 90 mph resulting in damage through south central North Dakota. A farm in far southeastern Morton County near Breien sustained heavy damage, especially to the barn. The storm then continued to the northeast and passed through Steele, where multiple trees were blown over and many large tree limbs were broken.

The radar

The Bismarck radar (KBIS), 45 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:54 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 thunderstorm wind, 4 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morton

When
July 26, 3:53 PM CST to 3:59 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 3.18 mi WNW of Breien
Measured
78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$150,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
46.400, -100.990

A roof was torn off a barn and a window was blown into the house. A metal horse cultivator was tossed, and fresh hay bales were rolled.

Hail, Morton

When
July 26, 3:53 PM CST to 3:55 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 3.18 mi WNW of Breien
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
46.400, -100.990

Hail, Morton

When
July 26, 3:54 PM CST to 3:59 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 2.94 mi WNW of Breien
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
46.390, -100.990

Thunderstorm Wind, Morton

When
July 26, 3:54 PM CST to 3:58 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 4.77 mi W of Breien
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$100,000
Crop damage
$50,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
46.380, -101.030

The thunderstorm winds combined with hail to flatten two-thirds of a wheat field and to severely damage a sunflower field.

Hail, Morton

When
July 26, 4:30 PM CST to 4:33 PM CST
Where
Morton County, 0.69 mi N of Ft Rice
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
46.530, -100.580

Hail, Burleigh

When
July 26, 4:50 PM CST to 4:53 PM CST
Where
Burleigh County, 0.47 mi W of Moffit
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
46.680, -100.290

Thunderstorm Wind, Burleigh

When
July 26, 4:50 PM CST to 4:53 PM CST
Where
Burleigh County, 0.47 mi W of Moffit
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
46.680, -100.290

The public estimated thunderstorm winds of 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kidder

When
July 26, 5:15 PM CST to 5:25 PM CST
Where
Kidder County, 0.83 mi NW of Steele
Measured
78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
46.857, -99.914

Multiple large trees branches were down throughout the community of Steele, with three trees uprooted. Some of the branches were large enough to block roads. Power was also out throughout the town.

What these are

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.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in North Dakota in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in North Dakota, July 2023

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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1113427, 1114671, 1113428, 1113430, 1113432, 1114672, 1114674, 1114681.