At 3 pm CST on the 15th, a stationary front was located from near Minot (ND) to Jamestown (ND) to near Sisseton (SD). South of the front, mid afternoon temperatures ranged in the mid 80s to lower 90s. To the north of the front, a meso-high had formed, with much cooler and drier air around it. The temperature across the boundary ranged from 89F at Minot, to 73F at Devils Lake, to 64F at Crookston. The upper air pattern had a western ridge and an eastern trough, putting the northern plains in northwest flow aloft. A strengthening upper jet also moved toward eastern North Dakota, giving this system good surface and upper level support.
A supercell thunderstorm developed over southern Steele County around 530 pm CST and tracked across western Cass County and into eastern Ransom County before weakening after 7 pm CST. Then, another supercell thunderstorm formed over northern Steele County around 725 pm CST. This storm tracked just west of the path of the first storm, again mainly hitting central Steele County, western Cass County, and eastern Ransom County, before weakening around 915 pm CST. Both thunderstorms tracked south-southeast at speeds between 40 and 50 mph and spawned multiple tornadoes which were embedded within the overall downburst wind and hail pattern.
The significant downburst wind and wind driven hail was seen in two partially overlapping paths, with each path from 5 to 7 miles wide and between 60 and 80 miles long (this damage path showed up clearly on satellite images). The strength of these winds is believed to have exceeded 80 mph with speeds over 100 mph in some localized areas. Hail sizes ranged from penny to hen egg sized.
Most areas received considerable hail damage at the same time as the strong winds. Law enforcement officials and witnesses stated that the hail often persisted for longer than 5 minutes and completely covered the ground. The hail damaged roofs, windows, and siding in many homes along the damage path. Stripped and decimated corn, bean, and wheat fields were typical along the entire storm path too. The ND Farm Service Administration estimated losses occurred on over 700,000 acres in five counties. Total crop losses may exceed $250 million, with other property losses from $15 to $20 million. Cass and Steele Counties received a Presidential Disaster Declaration.

Funnel Cloud in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:20:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEONARD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in TOWNER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:30:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CANDO
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:55:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: ANSELM
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a RAWS mesonet site. The time was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:27:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOWER CITY
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 12.00M
Reported by: Utility Company

A six mile stretch of high voltage power towers was crumpled by a combination of downburst winds and at least one tornado through Central Hill Township. At least 28 steel four pole towers, operated by Western Area Power Administration, were destroyed. One tower in adjacent Barnes County was also destroyed. Extensive crop damage occurred across Hill and Howes Townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in BARNES, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:27:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: FINGAL
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 2.00M
Reported by: Utility Company

One steel four pole power tower was crumpled and numerous trees were snapped off. Additional towers in adjacent Cass County were also destroyed. Wind driven hail also caused crop damage in Springvale and Binghampton Townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:31:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALICE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Trees were uprooted at the Alice cemetery and tombstones were tipped over.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:33:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALICE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 14.00M
Reported by: Newspaper

The roof was torn off a machine shed, collapsing the building on the equipment inside. Debris was strewn downwind for one-half mile. A camper was also rolled over and destroyed. Extensive crop damage occurred in Clifton, Pontiac, and Highland Townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in RICHLAND, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:12:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: WYNDMERE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.10M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

At a location two miles east of McLeod, siding was peeled off a house and a trampoline was wrapped around a tree. Other large tree branches were also blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in TRAILL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:25:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAYVILLE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.10M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A brick silo was blown over onto a parked farm truck.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARGENT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 21:20:00 to 15-JUL-07 21:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILNOR
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Numerous large tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:05:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAGE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 6.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A second round of penny to quarter sized hail and downburst winds affected most of Rochester and Lake Townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in BARNES, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:05:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: PILLSBURY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 4.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Penny to quarter sized hail and downburst winds affected most of Ellsburg and Minnie Lake Townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:15:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOWER CITY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 22.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Widespread nickel to golfball sized hail and downburst winds affected much of Cornell and Tower City Townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in BARNES, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:16:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORISKA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Penny to quarter sized hail and downburst winds affected much of Weimer and Oriska Townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 17:45:00 to 15-JUL-07 17:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLGATE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 12.00M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees were blown down and a field irrigation system was  overturned. Extensive crop damage also occurred in Colgate and Broadlawn Townships.

Hail in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 17:48:00 to 15-JUL-07 17:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAGE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 15.00M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Quarter size hail fell along with damaging winds. Extensive crop damage occurred across Ellsbury and Rochester Townships.

Hail in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 17:50:00 to 15-JUL-07 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAGE
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 15.00M
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Large branches were also blown down. Extensive crop damage occurred across Lake and Rich Townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:09:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUFFALO
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 20.00M
Reported by: Newspaper

Major crop damage occurred in Cornell and Ayr Townships due to downburst winds and hail. Tree damage was also reported. A ND RWIS mesonet site at mile point 10 on highway 38 reported a 57 mph wind gust at 609 pm CST.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:16:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUFFALO
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 11.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Two 5000 bushel steel grain bins were caved in by the winds and several trees were knocked down. The doors were blown off a machine shed. Extensive crop damage occurred across Buffalo Township.

Hail in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:20:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: EMBDEN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 24.00M
Reported by: Newspaper

A two foot deep drift of hail was left next to one home. Hail knocked out several windows at another home. Wind driven (70 mph) hail also damaged an extensive amount of cropland across the Howes, Gill, Eldred, and Walburg Townships.

Tornado in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:25:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHAFFEE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.25M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado yanked one aluminum high voltage power tower out of its steel footings and toppled several others. It snapped off mature oak and ash trees near the Maple River and snapped several wooden power poles at multiple road crossings across its path. The tornado continued into Ransom County, where it dissipated at 640 pm CST. Peak winds were estimated at 105 mph.

Tornado in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:35:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELDON
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.25M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado began in Cass County at 625 pm CST. The tornado yanked one aluminum high voltage power tower out of its steel footings and toppled several others. It also snapped several wooden power poles at multiple road crossings across its path. Peak winds were estimated at 105 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:42:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELDON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.10M
Crop damage: 3.00M
Reported by: Newspaper

Trees were blown down at the Sheldon cemetery, damaging some gravestones. Additional crop damage occurred in Greene Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:42:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: ANSELM
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.20M
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The wind gust was measured by a storm chaser with portable wind equipment. Large hail and damaging winds produced extensive crop damage across Coburn Township.

Tornado in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:46:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELDON
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.50M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado cut a large gap in mature hardwood trees near the Sheyenne River and snapped several wooden power poles. Several sections of a large irrigation system were also tipped over. Peak winds were estimated at 115 mph. Some crops were damaged in Owego Township.

Hail in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:47:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC LEOD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.10M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Golfball sized hail broke windows and was still left on the ground the next morning.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:50:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC LEOD
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.20M
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: Newspaper

Trees were blown down and a grain bin was blown over. One tree fell on a motorhome. Downburst winds and hail produced crop damage across portions of Sandoun Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:10:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC LEOD
Magnitude: 71.00 MG
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The wind gust was reported by a storm chaser with portable wind equipment. Large trees fell on homes and grain bin parts were scattered in town.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:25:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: FINLEY
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 4.00M
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Fully grown trees were uprooted. Some trees fell on power poles and powerlines, causing power outages in Finley. Trees also fell on cars and damage was reported at the grain elevator. On one house porch, the windows were blown out and the screens were torn off. Extensive wind driven hail produced crop damage across portions of Finley Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in TRAILL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:30:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLANCHARD
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.10M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Two 5000 bushel grain bins were blown one-half mile.

Hail in TRAILL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:30:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HILLSBORO
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 0.20M
Crop damage: 2.00M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Traill County Sheriff reported driving rain and large hail just west of Interstate 29 near Hillsboro. Strong wind gusts also uprooted a few trees and blew a door off a grain elevator. Crop damage also occurred across portions of Norway, Bloomfield, and Hillsboro Townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:45:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: FINLEY
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 20.00M
Reported by: Utility Company

Five wooden double post high voltage power towers were snapped off by downburst winds. The utility company estimated winds around 100 mph. Large hail and damaging winds produced extensive crop damage across portions of Easton and Melrose Townships.

Hail in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:51:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOPE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 6.00M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail covered the ground. Damaging winds produced additional crop damage in Carpenter and Colgate Townships.

Tornado in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:20:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOWER CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado plowed through wooden power poles and viciously ripped up mature trees over its damage path. The tornado also damaged a sturdy pole shed, where the sidewall was caved in and the roof and rafters were torn off. It tore the roof off and collapsed an older barn, then lifted and threw a well-built two car garage from its slab foundation. The tornado crumpled one steel, four footing, high voltage power tower. In combination with extreme downburst winds, the collapse of this first tower helped initiate the collapse of dozens more of these power towers. Peak winds were estimated at 130 mph.

Tornado in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:16:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: EMBDEN
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 0.25M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado toppled a barn, severely injuring a horse. It tumbled farm outbuildings and toppled one high voltage power tower. The tower was made of steel and had four footings. Peak winds were estimated at 125 mph.

Hail in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:00:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC LEOD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in RAMSEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:05:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEVILS LAKE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The hail was reported by a motorist along U.S. Highway 2.

Hail in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:45:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in EDDY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:45:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW ROCKFORD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:19:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAPLETON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in SARGENT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 21:36:00 to 15-JUL-07 21:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAYUGA
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Large tree branches were blown down.

Tornado in SARGENT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 21:37:00 to 15-JUL-07 21:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: COGSWELL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Bismarck NWS office received a public report of a brief tornado touchdown with movement to the southeast. The touchdown occurred in an open field with no damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:07:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: PROSPER
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The 62 mph wind gust was measured by a NDAWN mesonet sensor northwest of Prosper.

Hail in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 17:35:00 to 15-JUL-07 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: FINLEY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several trees were blown down and area crops were destroyed.

Hail in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 17:47:00 to 15-JUL-07 17:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLGATE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Quarter size hail fell and many large trees were broken.

Hail in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:15:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOWER CITY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in TRAILL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 19:45:00 to 15-JUL-07 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLANCHARD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:00:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLGATE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A second round of hail covered the ground.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 21:15:00 to 15-JUL-07 21:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LISBON
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Large tree limbs were broken down in shelterbelts. A few marble to nickel sized hail also fell.

Hail in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 17:30:00 to 15-JUL-07 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOPE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Large branches were also blown down.

Hail in TRAILL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 17:50:00 to 15-JUL-07 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALESBURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm Wind in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 17:40:00 to 15-JUL-07 17:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOPE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 8.00M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

There was a report of quarter size hail, 1.50 inches of rain, and full grown pine trees broken in half. The baseball field scoreboard was blown down and the metal batting cage was blown across two baseball diamonds. Extensive crop damage occurred throughout Hugo Township.

Tornado in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 20:19:00 to 15-JUL-07 20:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOWER CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down on the northeast side of Tower City in Cass County and tracked to the south-southwest. In Tower City, the tornado ripped off a section from the roof of a house and tossed garden storage buildings and equipment. The tornado also blew a single car garage off its foundation and destroyed it. Several trees in town were damaged or blown down. Peak winds were estimated at 110 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 15-JUL-07 18:27:00 to 15-JUL-07 18:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: EMBDEN
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 11.00M
Reported by: Utility Company

A two mile section of aluminum high voltage power towers were crumpled by downburst winds and at least one tornado. The nine towers were operated by Minnkota Power Cooperative. Wind speeds likely exceeded 100 miles per hour based on utility company estimates. Extensive crop damage occurred across the Highland and Watson Townships.