During the evening of Friday, June 20th into the early morning hours of June 21st, much of the region was affected by severe weather. Supercell thunderstorms developed across southeast North Dakota ahead of an approaching convective complex, producing multiple strong, destructive, and fatal tornadoes.
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.
During the evening of Friday, June 20th into the early morning hours of June 21st, much of the region was affected by severe weather. Supercell thunderstorms developed across southeast North Dakota ahead of an approaching convective complex, producing multiple strong, destructive, and fatal tornadoes. This was followed by a powerful line of severe thunderstorms categorized as a derecho, which tracked across much of the region resulting in widespread straight line wind damage. After the derecho passed through the region, there was a period of prolonged destructive winds that affected portions of central and east central North Dakota, as well as adjacent portions of Minnesota. This was a unique event due to the combination of the violent tornadoes ahead of the derecho, and the long duration of significant winds that followed the derecho. Based on estimates provided by North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, the state lost anywhere from 50 to 80 million bushels of grain storage capacity from these storms.
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 20, 9:03 AM CST, 1 hour 48 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1003 AM CDT Fri Jun 20 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms Friday evening
and overnight. Primary hazards of hail up to tennis balls,
damaging winds of 75 mph, and a few tornadoes will be
possible.
- Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms Saturday
afternoon and evening. Primary hazards will be damaging wind
gusts to 60 mph and large hail up to 1 inch.
- Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms Sunday
afternoon and evening. Primary hazards will be damaging wind
gusts to 70 mph, large hail to the size of golf balls, and
isolated tornadoes.
- Heat index values Saturday will exceed 100 degrees in the
southern Red River Valley and portions of west central
Minnesota. Heat related impacts are expected. For Sunday, heat
index values could approach 100 degrees once more, mainly for
west central Minnesota.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued at 1003 AM CDT Fri Jun 20 2025
Temperatures are increasing quickly along with dew points this
morning as a boundary shifts through. Dew points have reached
the lower 70s in Ransom, Sargent, Richland, and Wilkin counties.
This will continue to spread northward through the morning and
into the afternoon. Temperatures will get into the 80s this
afternoon, with a few locations in the southern Red River valley
potentially getting to the lower 90s. Heat indices in the
southern Red River Valley may get to the mid 90s this afternoon.
SBCAPE is around 500 J/kg across the area, but will start to
increase as we head into the afternoon. CAMS continue to show
discrete cells developing across eastern ND and northwestern MN
this evening around the 7-9pm timeframe. A few of the CAMS want
to push timing slightly later toward 8-10pm for discrete cells.
Later in the evening guidance has continued to show storms going
linear across eastern ND increasing the threat for damaging
winds.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 352 AM CDT Fri Jun 20 2025
...Synopsis...
Weak ridging continues to work slowly east across the central CONUS
and Northern Plains. Mid to upper level flow becomes more
southwesterly today, with H5 heights decreasing across western
Montana and H7 shortwaves traversing the flow into central and
eastern North Dakota. Moisture return will usher in higher dew
points, which will support heat index values near or just higher
than 100 degrees across the southern Red River Valley heading into
the weekend. Several rounds of thunderstorms are possible starting
this evening and persisting into the weekend. Much cooler
temperatures return to the region on Monday, with near normal
temperatures then persisting through much of next week.
...Severe Thunderstorm Risk this Evening and Overnight...
There are a number of scenarios this afternoon that all lead to
severe thunderstorm development by the early to mid evening hours.
Warm air advection, along with higher dew points, will lift
northward along a theta-e gradient boundary and the associated warm
front today. This will allow SBCAPE to climb well into the 2000 to
3000 J/Kg range this afternoon, with DCAPE values between 1000 and
2000 J/Kg on various model soundings within the HREF suite. Shear,
both in the low/mid levels and the upper levels, will support a
period of discrete cells and a relatively high probability for
supercells during the early evening. The best chances for discrete
development are currently in the southern Red River Valley and west
central Minnesota. Supercells that form during the early evening
could produce damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, tennis ball sized hail,
and isolated tornadoes. Later in the evening, upscale development in
central North Dakota works eastward into eastern North Dakota,
possibly as an MCS. The primary concern with this will be damaging
wind gusts of 75 mph and ping pong ball sized hail. CAMS have been
in relatively close agreement regarding development, with only minor
differences in the placement of storms. Currently, the highest
chances for the late evening/overnight storms will be in eastern
North Dakota, the central Red River Valley, and portions of
northwest Minnesota.
...Severe Thunderstorms Possible Saturday afternoon and evening...
Ongoing storms Saturday morning are expected to diminish by midday.
A conditional threat of severe thunderstorms is evident heading into
the afternoon hours as lapse rates increase. Capping looks a bit
higher during the early afternoon as a very warm 850mb layer remains
in place. Low level flow and shear will also provide some inhibition
initially. The primary risks for Saturday will be hail up the size
of golf balls and damaging wind gusts to 60 mph.
...Severe Thunderstorms Possible Sunday afternoon and evening...
A cold front moves across the area late Sunday, with a chance for
severe thunderstorms along and ahead of the associated theta-e
gradient boundary. Unlike Saturday, low and mid level shear will be
more supportive of rotating supercells and possibly a tornado or
two. Additionally, golf ball sized hail and damaging wind gusts to
70 mph are possible. The highest chances will be from the Red River
Valley eastward into west central and northwest Minnesota.
...Heat Impacts Expected This Weekend...
Look for increasing humidity starting this afternoon, then
persisting into Saturday and Sunday. Afternoon high temperatures
across the area will climb well into the 80s, with mid to upper 90s
possible in parts of the far southern Red River Valley and adjacent
areas of west central Minnesota. Heat indices in these areas will
approach of exceed 100 degrees on Saturday and possibly Sunday as
well.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 640 AM CDT Fri Jun 20 2025
VFR conditions prevail this morning at all TAF sites. Cloud
cover will increase this evening with showers and thunderstorms
becoming likely during the late evening. Severe thunderstorms
are possible and could be in the vicinity of TAF sites starting
around 03Z. Winds near thunderstorms could shift abruptly this
evening and overnight. Damaging wind gusts are capable of
reaching upwards of 75 mph, with a chance for large hail up to
the size of tennis balls.
&&
.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...Heat Advisory from 1 PM Saturday to 7 PM CDT Sunday for NDZ052-
053.
MN...Heat Advisory from 1 PM to 7 PM CDT Sunday for MNZ006-009-016-
017-022>024-027-028.
Heat Advisory from 1 PM Saturday to 7 PM CDT Sunday for
MNZ029>032-040.
&&
UPDATE...Spender
DISCUSSION...Lynch
AVIATION...LynchHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Forks ND 557 AM CDT Fri Jun 20 2025 MNZ001>003-009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-NDZ014-015-024-026>030- 038-039-049-052-053-211100- West Polk-Norman-Clay-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-Benson-Ramsey-Eddy- Nelson-Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom- Sargent-Richland- 557 AM CDT Fri Jun 20 2025 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota, west central and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms this evening and overnight. Primary hazards of hail up to tennis balls, damaging winds of 75 mph, and a few tornadoes will be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening. Primary hazards will be damaging wind gusts to 60 mph and large hail up to 1 inch. Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening. Primary hazards will be damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, large hail to the size of golf balls, and isolated tornadoes. Heat index values Saturday will exceed 100 degrees in the southern Red River Valley and portions of west central Minnesota. Heat related impacts are expected. For Sunday, heat index values could approach 100 degrees once more, mainly for west central Minnesota. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required today. MNZ004>008-NDZ006>008-016-054-211100- Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-West Marshall-East Marshall- Towner-Cavalier-Pembina-Eastern Walsh-Western Walsh- 557 AM CDT Fri Jun 20 2025 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms this evening and overnight. Primary hazards of hail up to the size of quarters, damaging winds of 70 mph, and a few tornadoes will be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening. Primary hazards will be damaging wind gusts to 60 mph and large hail up to 1 inch. Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening. Primary hazards will be damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, large hail to the size of golf balls, and isolated tornadoes. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required today.
The Fargo/Grand Forks radar (KMVX), 72 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:48 UTC.
29 thunderstorm wind, 18 tornado, 1 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
NDAWN station at 1SW Casselton measured a 59 mph wind gust at the 10 meter sensor.
This tornado initially developed in far eastern Stutsman County about 2 miles east-southeast of Spiritwood, and immediately tracked northeast into Barnes County. As it continued northeast it missed the community of Urbana in Barnes County to the northwest. As it continued this northeast track it caused EF-3 damage|to a metal building structure and homestead. Additional EF-2 damage occurred at that home, including the loss of an upper floor and garage. Several nearby Morton buildings were also destroyed next to the MBS. At least 3 vehicles and a trailer were lofted by the tornado from that home, along with the engine block of a dump truck. The vehicle remnants were thrown or deposited between 0.2 and 0.25 miles along an arc from the south to southeast. One vehicle was a 1980 Chevy pickup truck that had originally been located between a backhoe and dump truck by the house. The vehicles cannot currently be used as DI's under the current EF scale, however they could be reviewed in future expansions of the EF scale. The tornado continued on a north to northeast track and 1 mile from the first home caused EF-3 damage to another home along with EF-3 damage to nearby trees. The tornado then turned northwest causing visible ground scouring as it eventually turned west back into Stutsman county as it weakened and eventually dissipated in eastern Stutsman County. High resolution Worldview 2 satellite imagery reveals trackable ground scouring showing this turning track up to around 1.25 miles west of the Barnes County and Stutsman County border.
Video and photo evidence was used to confirm an anticyclonic tornado occurred in this area tracking generally southeast. Trained weather spotters observed no damage with this tornado as it harmlessly meandered across fields and potholes during its photogenic lifespan.
First visible indication of the tornado occurred at 1017pm. The tornado tracked NE for about 3.3 miles from its start doing mainly tree and power line damage. It did do some EF1 roof damage to one farmstead in this initial phase. The tornado tracked across 117th Ave and damaged 3 power poles. Lifted north tracking over open fields which showed some ground scouring via satellite imagery. Then the tornado struck a farmstead from the southeast and spread the debris to the north/Northwest. The tornado continued to the northwest crossing 117th and taking out a another power pole as it roped out. This tornado's path was about 5.2 miles long and 400 yards wide.
This was likely caused by a satellite tornado associated with the EF-2 tornado to the west. High resolution satellite imagery reveals tornado scarring on open field. No evidence of damage seen on satellite imagery nor reports received that could correlated with current EF scale damage indicators.
This tornado developed in central Barnes County 5 miles southwest of Valley City and tracked southeast, caused EF-0 and EF-1 damage to trees and several homes. It continued over a ridge crossing the Sheyenne River, then caused EF-1 and EF-2 damage to several homes eventually crossing 117th Ave SE before lifting 3 miles south of Valley City. This tornado was almost 6 miles long.
Tornado confirmed by radar TDS signature. Satellite imagery shows scouring in field.
Tornado was confirmed by radar TDS signature. Shelterbelt tree damage, and satellite imagery shows scouring in fields intermittent for roughly 6 miles.
Satellite imagery and ground survey concluded that the tornado tracked intermittently for for approximately 12 miles. There was damage to bean fields and shelterbelts along with 1 farmstead which lost several grains bins, a hoop shed, machine shop and sustained roof damage to 2 story house. Satellite imagery suggests the tornado was a half mile at its widest.
NDAWN station at McHenry reported a wind gust of 72 mph at the 3 meter height.
This large and violent tornado began with minor damage to a few branches about 3 miles SSW Enderlin but within 2.5 miles of the track, the tornado gained intensity and |significantly widened. While south of Highway 46, between 56th and 57th Street SE, the tornado derailed 33 train cars including 19 fully-loaded grain hopper cars and 14 empty tanker cars, mainly tipped from the track. Included in the derailed cars were one filled grain car (286,000 lbs) and four empty tanker cars (72,000 lbs) that were pulled into a field away from the track. One of the 4 tanker cars was tossed 600-1000 ft (183-305 m) from the track and an estimated 475.7 ft (145 m) from the distance of the previous tanker car it was attached to before being pulled off of the track; wheel sets detached near the point from which the cars were derailed from the track. It was in this train derailment location that EF-5 damage intensity was noted with greater than 210 mph winds listed officially for this tornado.
Extensive collaboration with wind damage experts provided forensic analyses for the train damage that occurred with this tornado. These analyses estimate potential wind speeds of approximately 230 mph are needed to completely overturn a fully loaded grain hopper car. Collaboration with the Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University’s Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory estimated a potential wind speed of >119 m/s (>266 mph) to loft the empty tanker car 475.7 ft (145 m) using similar calculations performed in Estimating Wind Speeds in Tornadoes Using Debris Trajectories of Large Compact Objects (Miller et al. 2024). The study, published in the Monthly Weather Review, found that large compact objects lofted greater than 50 m indicate EF-5 intensity winds (greater than 200 mph). The Enderlin train cars were nearly 2 farther than the EF-5 threshold distance and 4 heavier than the heaviest object modeled in the study. The maximum wind speed also correlates to the timing of the maximum strength observed via the WSR-88D storm-relative velocity data from KMVX.
The tornado continued to widen as it tracked to the north and east. Just to the south of Highway 46, a free standing cell phone tower (FST DOD 2) collapsed, and it impacted several farmsteads with outbuildings destroyed. Extensive vegetation damage occurred with crops destroyed, bark stripped from trees with a sandpapering effect noted on numerous trees, and many large trees snapped or stubbed. Large tree root balls of 18-24 diameter trunks were displaced, and in some cases, it was unknown where the uprooted trees originated from. EF-4 damage was noted with the trees. The tornado continued to track northward crossing Highway 46 into southwestern Cass County. The tornado statistics for the Ransom County portion include: a length of 5.4 miles, a maximum width of 1850 yards, a maximum wind of greater than 210 mph (EF-5), and 0 fatalities. Total track length between Ransom and Cass counties was 12.1 miles. Monetary damage estimates were not available.
This large and violent tornado initially began in Ransom county 3 miles SSW Enderlin. It crossed into Cass county approximately 3 miles east of Enderlin. EF-4 damage occurred just north of Highway 46 at two farmsteads where devastating damage occurred to both houses and seven outbuildings were destroyed. On the eastern farmstead, one farmhouse was leveled with the debris swept from its foundation and scattered downwind, leading to two fatalities. A lack of structural anchoring was noted at this location. Trees around the farmstead were also debarked, and a few root balls were displaced. The farmstead to the west was leveled for all portions above ground as well. The home had been built into the side of the surrounding hill with some of the debris still piled up around the location. It was built with manufactured steel trusses above the garage, suggesting slightly higher grade construction than a typical residential house. Additionally, a large propane tank was moved across the north end of the property at this location. The tornado continued north, causing additional tree damage and eventually leveling another farm house, leading to one fatality at a farmstead near 51st St east of 139th Ave SE. As the tornado moved to the northwest, it bent over tall steel electrical transmission towers before making a curl to the south as it passed over the southern end of the Utke waterfowl production area. It then weakened and dissipated a mile to the southwest of the northernmost point in the tornado’s track. The tornado statistics for the Cass County portion of the track include: a length of 6.7 miles, a maximum width of 1000 yards, a maximum wind of 180 mph (EF-4), and a total of 3 fatalities. The tornado statistics for the Ransom County portion of the track include: a length of 5.4 miles, a maximum width of 1850 yards, a maximum wind of greater than 210 mph (EF-5), and 0 fatalities. Total track length between Ransom and Cass counties was 12.1 miles. Monetary damage estimates were not available.
Tree branches 6 inches to 10 inches in diameter were reported down in Valley City. Wind gusts estimated at 80 mph.
NDAWN station 1NNE Pekin reported a 62 mph wind gust at the 10 meter sensor. Mesonet station 325765 Pekin ND NDAWN.
A second tornado developed, in Cass County, from the same supercell thunderstorm about 4 miles northeast of Enderlin and tracked to the southeast, crossed Highway 46 into Ransom County, then weakened and dissipated. This tornado was on the ground for almost 7 miles, at its widest was about 1351 yards wide in Cass county. Damage indicators along the path of this tornado correlates to EF-2 damage, with peak winds estimated to be around 120 mph. Along the path of this tornado was extensive tree damage, including trees snapped and uprooted. Several roofs were partially blown apart as well as crop damage visible from high resolution satellite data.
This tornado developed in Cass County before crossing Highway 46 into Ransom County, then weakened and dissipated. This tornado was on the ground for around 7 miles, at its widest was about 1351 in Cass county. In Ransom County its widest was 519 yards as it crossed into the county. Damage indicators along the path of this tornado correlates to EF-2 damage in Cass, with peak winds estimated to be around 120 mph in that county. Along the path of this tornado was extensive tree damage, including trees snapped and uprooted. Ground scouring and crop damage was visible from high resolution satellite data correlating with at least EF-0 damage at 85 mph. This ground scouring extended into Ransom county about 0.65 miles.
Received a report of 1 inch hail from a trained weather spotter.
NDAWN station 3W of Michigan reported a wind gust of 67 mph. Mesonet station 325769 Michigan ND NDAWN.
Tornado scar evident via high resolution satellite through farm fields.
NDAWN station 5E of Amenia reported a 67 mph wind gust at the 10 meter height sensor.
A tornado Tracked SE across rural southeast Cass county starting 8 miles northwest of Kindred and lifting 1 mile west of Kindred. It was on the ground about 7 minutes and tracked for almost 7 miles mainly doing tree damage to shelter belts and fields.
NDAWN station 5E Amenia measured a wind gust to 59 mph.
Tornado scar evident via high resolution satellite.
Tornado scar evident via high resolution satellite.
NDAWN station at Gardner 2SSW measured a wind gust of 79 mph.
Tornado scar evident via high resolution satellite.
ASOS station at Fargo, KFAR, reported a wind gust to 74 mph.
Personal weather station via Weather Underground, I.D. Ramsey Farm - KNDBINFO8. Measured gust to 71 mph. Duration of severe gusts 40 minutes. Highest sustained wind 67 mph. Extreme wind gusts associated with MCV on backside of derecho.
Storm chaser reported 90 mph winds, possibly associated with a nearby tornado.
Public report of a 92 mph wind gust 4ENE of Thompson. Measured on a Davis weather station.
Personal weather station via Weather Underground, I.D. Brent Johnson NA86 Airport - KNDHOPE4. Measured gust to 92 mph. Duration of severe gusts 100 minutes. Duration of significant severe gusts over 75 mph 65 minutes. Extreme wind gusts associated with MCV on back side of Derecho.
Ground survey and satellite imagery confirm a tornado tracked intermittently for approximately 5 miles. 2 farmsteads sustained damage to buildings both suggesting winds around 100mph in the first couple miles of the tornado there after satellite imagery shows scouring in fields for another 3 miles or so where at one point it reached 800 yards wide.
ASOS station at KGFK reported a 69 mph wind gust 6 WNW of Grand Forks.
NDAWN station 2W of Cooperstown measured a 72 mph wind gust at the 10 meter sensor. Mesonet station 321766 Cooperstown ND NDAWN.
NDAWN station 2W of Cooperstown reported a wind gust of 63 mph. Mesonet station 321766 Cooperstown ND NDAWN.
Personal weather station via Weather Underground, I.D. Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile SHS - KNDCOOPE6. Measured gust to 59 mph. Duration of severe gusts 15 minutes. Extreme wind gusts associated with MCV on backside of derecho.
Trained spotter reported a 111 mph wind gust 1 mile east of Luverne. Measurement verified via personal weather station.
Mesonet measured a wind gust of 82 mph 3 miles south of Wahpeton. Mesonet station 6166D Wahpeton ND 3 S.
Received a public report of wind gusts estimated up to 80 mph. Power flashes were also reported.
Multiple stalled out vehicles due to street flooding in Fargo.
NDAWN station measured a 95 mph wind gust.
NDAWN station 5 NE Hope reported a 76 mph wind gust. Mesonet station 321686 Hope ND NDAWN.
NDAWN station at Pillsbury reported an 88 mph wind gust.
Mesonet observations confirmed a 60 mph wind gust 1 mile west of Mayville. Mesonet station DVI06914 Mayville ND 1 W.
NDAWN station 4 SSW Galesburg reported a wind gust to 99 mph.
NDAWN station 3 E Mayville confirmed a 66 mph wind gust. Mesonet station 325679 Mayville ND NDAWN.
NDAWN at Ayr 1NW measured a wind gust of 96 mph at the 10 meter height sensor.
Mesonet observations confirmed a 74 mph wind gust 2 miles SE of Blanchard. Mesonet station DVI12057 Blanchard ND.
NDAWN site reported a 78 mph wind gust 5 ENE Kelso. Mesonet station 324209 Hillsboro ND NDAWN.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado, Cass | 2025-06-20 | 73 | Male | Unknown | Direct |
| Tornado, Cass | 2025-06-20 | 73 | Female | Unknown | Direct |
| Tornado, Cass | 2025-06-20 | 89 | Male | Unknown | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Dakota in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for North Dakota, 2025Warnings in North Dakota, June 2025
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: 1277680, 1279518, 1282004, 1281828, 1291613, 1281993, 1281942, 1281894, 1281947, 1278224, 1278899, 1278903, 1277610, 1278256, 1278909, 1278912, 1279542, 1278255, 1279519, 1277660, 1281846, 1277650, 1279520, 1279521, 1277674, 1279527, 1277649, 1278239, 1277636, 1278227, 1278262, 1282000, 1278232, 1278245, 1278237, 1278241, 1278259, 1278258, 1277616, 1277029, and more.