Tornadoes and Hail in North Dakota, July 7, 2025

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in North Dakota, July 7, 2025
Start: 2025-07-07T14:27
End: 2025-07-07T18:58
Location: North Dakota

July 7, 2025 · NWS FGF · 18 events in 6 counties and zones

Severe thunderstorms including supercells produced large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes across parts of eastern North Dakota.

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 18

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.

Severe thunderstorms including supercells produced large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes across parts of eastern North Dakota.

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 7, 11:57 AM CST, 2 hours 30 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Scattered thunderstorms today, a few may be severe with damaging wind gusts or hail to 1.50 inch. The risk of severe storms is a 2 out of 5 for parts of the Red Rive valley.
Isolated severe storms possible Wednesday afternoon or evening, risk level 1 out of 5.
Increasing risk for severe storms into Thursday, late in the day and night.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 7, 11:57 AM CST, 2 hours 30 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1257 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered thunderstorms today, a few may be severe with
  damaging wind gusts or hail to 1.50 inch. The risk of severe
  storms is a 2 out of 5 for parts of the Red Rive valley.

- Isolated severe storms possible Wednesday afternoon or
  evening, risk level 1 out of 5.

- Increasing risk for severe storms into Thursday, late in the
  day and night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 329 AM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...Synopsis...
Busy 500 mb pattern with zonal flow more or less and short waves
moving into British Columbia and then often taking a dive
southeast toward our area. This continues this week and likely
beyond. Thus periodic t-storm chances with severe risk dependent
on instability, forcing and 0-6 km bulk shear values.

...Severe Risk Today...

This early Monday morning SPC meso analysis has a broad 850 mb
moisture advection over the area with 25kts 850 mb south winds
focus into Jamestown, Devils Lake area. There has been a slow
increase in mid level showers in this area since 06z. Main upper
wave is in Saskatchewan and giving an area of shower and
t-storms with it southeast of Saskatoon. This wave will will be
near the Manitoba/ND/MN border at 00z Tue. Thus the idea in pops
is to have a lower pop to start today in E ND but increase pops
into categorical range north valley later this aftn/eve.
Considerable cloud cover today in that area may prevent a lot of
sfc heating and MUCAPE in that area remains sub 1000 j/kg. But
with cold pool aloft with 500 mb wave moving over cannot rule
out some hailers with storms in the north valley. Multi-cell
likely as 0-6 km bulk shear may not be strong enough to maintain
supercells.

Farther south there does appear to be a wave at 500 mb that will
move east thru northern SD into northeast SD by late today.
Doesnt seem to be picked up well by models. But with this area
the area east of it will have more surface heating and a bit
higher dew pts with MUCAPES in the 1500 j/kg range. 0-6 km shear
not great, but signals from SPC HREF does indicate higher
intensity and longer track UH tracks along the SD/ND border late
this aftn. SPC did extend slight risk a bit farther north for
this.

Not much support for strong/severe storms once you get past 02z,
with lingering activity likely to exit fcst area around 06z-7z.

Tuesday will see high pressure move in and dry conditions.

...Wednesday Severe Risk...

Wednesday late aftn/eve will see a short wave move ESE across
the area. The airmass advecting north into the area, esp central
ND, is more unstable with MUCAPES over 3500 j/kg and high temps
in central ND fcst to be low 90s. 0-6 km shear is 30kts or less
though. SPC did insert a marginal risk for eastern and central
ND due to instability being quite high and weak wave moving ESE
thru the area.

...Thursday....

Thursday afternoon and night has for the last several days been
highlighted as the most unstable day in the 7 days. MUCAPE
values from ensembles (EC/GEM,GFS) from 00z runs all over 3500
j/kg with likely over 4000 j/kg. But issue is placement of 500
mb system with this and placement of 500 mb jet. Model
continuity has been poor. Thus question is with all the
instability will there be enough forcing and shear aloft to
generate a higher end severe threat. That remains to be seen.
Given the conditions fcst all hazards would be possible, though
wind/hail favored vs tornado as unsure of any surface boundary
location. We also have some sfc CIN to overcome. But highs are
forecast to be low 90s and dew pts low 70s. If either one can
over achieve that will add to instability.

For Friday and Saturday forecast hangs on development of 500 mb
low and placement and track. GFS been all over the place in the
last 24 hours with ECMWF the most consistent in having upper low
in the area Saturday with persistent area of showers and
t-storms near and just east of the wave over much of the area
Friday. Slower ECMWF would keep rain chance longer into Saturday
vs NBM.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1257 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

A few isolated showers/storms around could impact KBJI/KTVF
initially in the period. Otherwise additional development
expected late this afternoon/evening that could impact all TAF
sites from 22-03Z from NW to ESE as storms develop along a cold
front dropping through the forecast area. This will allow winds
to shift from south to southeast to the northwest behind the
front for late tonight into Tuesday. Tried to time the greatest
chance for the storms at each site, with dry conditions expected
mainly after 06Z into Tuesday.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...MJB
AVIATION...MJB

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 7, 3:34 AM CST, 10 hours 53 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
434 AM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ006>008-014>016-024-
026>030-038-039-049-052>054-080945-
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-Eddy-Nelson-Grand Forks-
Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland-
Western Walsh-
434 AM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

There is a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms this
afternoon and early evening for eastern North Dakota and northwest
and west central Minnesota. The main hazards will be hail to 1.50
inch, wind gust 60 mph and frequent lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

There is a level 1 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms
Wednesday afternoon and evening, but this is conditional risk as
storms may not form. If they do then large hail and damaging wind
risk.

Thursday afternoon and evening will see a potentially higher risk
of severe storms.  All hazards are possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required today.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 7, 10:42 AM CST, 3 hours 45 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1142 AM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

MNZ029-030-040-NDZ053-071715-
Grant MN-Wilkin MN-West Otter Tail MN-Richland ND-
1142 AM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN OTTER TAIL...
GRANT...WILKIN AND SOUTHEASTERN RICHLAND COUNTIES THROUGH 1215 PM
CDT...

At 1141 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles east of Kent to near Fairmount to Lake
Traverse Reservation. Movement was east at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Fergus Falls, Wahpeton, Breckenridge, Elbow Lake, Ashby, Herman, and
Barrett.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 29 between mile markers 0 and 9.
 Interstate 94 in North Dakota between mile markers 45 and 80.
 Interstate 94 in Minnesota between mile markers 45 and 80.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4602 9627 4602 9657 4593 9656 4594 9705
      4614 9674 4645 9672 4638 9577 4595 9577
      4576 9615 4576 9625
TIME...MOT...LOC 1641Z 282DEG 47KT 4646 9654 4609 9658 4590 9691

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Rafferty

Special weather statement, Jul 7, 2:15 PM CST, 12 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
315 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

NDZ016-027-072045-
Eastern Walsh County ND-Grand Forks ND-
315 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL GRAND FORKS AND
SOUTHEASTERN WALSH COUNTIES THROUGH 345 PM CDT...

At 314 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Forest River, or 15 miles south of Grafton, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Minto, Manvel, Gilby, Forest River, Ardoch, Johnstown, and Poland.

This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 151 and 166.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4828 9711 4827 9714 4825 9712 4825 9715
      4824 9713 4822 9714 4823 9712 4821 9712
      4821 9713 4818 9715 4818 9714 4816 9714
      4816 9713 4814 9715 4814 9713 4799 9718
      4812 9761 4829 9757
TIME...MOT...LOC 2014Z 280DEG 17KT 4819 9748

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Rafferty/TT

The radar

The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 74 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:29 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 hail, 6 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Grand Forks

When: July 7, 2:27 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 2.76 mi N of Johnstown
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 48.190, -97.470

Received a report of quarter sized hail via trained weather spotters.

Tornado, Towner

When: July 7, 2:40 PM CST to 2:43 PM CST
Where: Towner County, 2.92 mi NNE of Newville to 2.87 mi NNE of Newville
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Continued into: Cavalier, Nd (FGF)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 48.610, -98.980

A large dusty tornado was reported near Calio ND with no damage conveyed from any sources who witnessed it. This tornado started in Towner County and traveled 0.50 miles to the Cavalier county line, where it traveled an additional 1.04 miles. It is suspected that this was spawned out of land spout processes which likely contributed to its dusty tubelike appearance as seen on social media. UPDATE 7/22/25: Adjusted track based on Sentinel-2 satellite imagery.

Tornado, Cavalier

When: July 7, 2:43 PM CST to 2:50 PM CST
Where: Cavalier County, 2.81 mi SW of Calio to 2.49 mi SSW of Calio
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.04 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 48.607, -98.970

Hail, Grand Forks

When: July 7, 3:20 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 3.3 mi WNW of Manvel
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.080, -97.240

Received a public report of hail up to 1.75 inches in diameter.

Tornado, Ramsey

When: July 7, 3:27 PM CST to 3:28 PM CST
Where: Ramsey County, 2.03 mi NNE of Edmore to 1.79 mi NNE of Edmore
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.53 mi
Path width: 10 yd
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 48.448, -98.438

Law enforcement reported a tornadic circulation in this location around 4:27pm with no damage reported.

Hail, Grand Forks

When: July 7, 3:47 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 1.16 mi NW of Grand Forks
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 47.930, -97.070

Received a report of 1 inch hail from an FAA Weather Observer, relayed by Broadcast Media.

Hail, Steele

When: July 7, 3:55 PM CST
Where: Steele County, 2.89 mi WSW of Hope
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.310, -97.790

Received a report of hail up to 1 inch in diameter.

Tornado, Walsh

When: July 7, 4:08 PM CST to 4:10 PM CST
Where: Walsh County, 7.85 mi SSW of Fairdale to 8.02 mi SSW of Fairdale
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.6 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 48.375, -98.295

Spotter reported a brief tornado 5mi NE of Lawton, ND with no damage reported.

Hail, Steele

When: July 7, 4:08 PM CST
Where: Steele County, 5.67 mi E of Luverne
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.240, -97.830

Received a public report of hail up to the size of half dollars.

Hail, Walsh

When: July 7, 4:08 PM CST
Where: Walsh County, 2.07 mi S of Adams
Measured: 2.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.390, -98.070

Received a report of 2.25 inch hail, photo relayed via social media.

Hail, Walsh

When: July 7, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Walsh County, 7.49 mi SW of Adams
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.340, -98.180

Received a public report of hail up to 2.5 inches.

Hail, Walsh

When: July 7, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Walsh County, 4.86 mi S of Adams
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 48.350, -98.080

Video of windshield being damaged sent in by storm chaser. Hail size was up to 1.75 inches. Location estimated by radar.

Hail, Walsh

When: July 7, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Walsh County, 6.01 mi W of Lankin
Measured: 3.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 48.310, -98.050

A trained weather spotter sent a report of measured 3.5 inch hail.

Tornado, Walsh

When: July 7, 4:31 PM CST to 4:33 PM CST
Where: Walsh County, 8.74 mi WSW of Lankin to 8.46 mi SW of Lankin
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.98 mi
Path width: 10 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 48.261, -98.088

Spotter reported a weak ground circulation lasting for 1-2 minutes with no damage reported.

Hail, Grand Forks

When: July 7, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 0.83 mi NNW of Manvel
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 48.080, -97.180

A trained spotter called in a report of 1 inch hail.

Hail, Grand Forks

When: July 7, 6:22 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 2.31 mi SW of Merrifield
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.830, -97.140

Public report of 1 inch hail mixed in with hail ranging from the size of dimes to pennies.

Hail, Grand Forks

When: July 7, 6:31 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 3.53 mi WSW of Merrifield
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.830, -97.170

Report from mPING of hail up to 1 inch in diameter.

Tornado, Grand Forks

When: July 7, 6:56 PM CST to 6:58 PM CST
Where: Grand Forks County, 4.49 mi E of Reynolds to 4.93 mi E of Reynolds
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.58 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 47.687, -97.004

A tornado tracked SE with EF1 damage to a farmstead east of Reynolds, which included a grain bin ripped from anchoring and blown quarter mile into field. Multiple large trees were split or snapped.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Dakota in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history The tornado archive for North Dakota, 2025 Warnings in North Dakota, July 2025

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: 1282452, 1282081, 1282082, 1282453, 1282114, 1282454, 1282455, 1282136, 1282456, 1282457, 1282458, 1282459, 1282460, 1282173, 1282461, 1282463, 1282464, 1282207.