In the late afternoon of May 24th, Tornado Watch 352 was issued in anticipation of severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes developing along and ahead of a strong closed upper level low and associated surface low and cold frontal boundary over southern North Dakota. Numerous severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado warnings were issued. Reports included multiple tornadoes in both Morton and Dickey counties. A National Weather Service storm damage survey was completed in Morton County, and the Dickey County Emergency Manager conducted a storm damage survey in Dickey County.

Hail in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 20:11:00 to 24-MAY-08 20:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANDAN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail was falling over the east side of Mandan.

Hail in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 20:43:00 to 24-MAY-08 20:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: BALDWIN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 20:32:00 to 24-MAY-08 20:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: BISMARCK
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Report from off-duty law enforcement.

Tornado in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 19:10:00 to 24-MAY-08 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW SALEM
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 200.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado was originally reported by Morton County law enforcement. A storm damage survey was conducted by the National Weather Service and found that damage occurred to five farms in the New Salem area. Damage to farm houses was minor. Damage to farm outbuildings was significant with roofs torn off and smaller buildings destroyed. In some cases small outbuildings were destroyed while others nearby had little in any damage. Horse trailers were pushed and some were tipped. Tree trunks were snapped part way up their bases. The tornado damage corresponded to EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. From that it was determined that wind speeds in the tornado were on the order of 100 mph. This was the first of two tornadoes in Morton County this evening.

Thunderstorm Wind in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 19:25:00 to 24-MAY-08 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW SALEM
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A storm damage survey was conducted by the National Weather Service and found that minor damage to outbuildings and trees in this area was the result of high thunderstorm winds associated with the storms rear flank downdraft.

Tornado in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 18:38:00 to 24-MAY-08 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUELPH
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Dickey County Emergency Manager conducted a storm survey in the area and found evidence of a weak tornado. Tree branches were broken in parts of tree rows. No other structures were impacted. This was the first of three tornadoes in Dickey County this evening. An EF scale rating of middle EF0 was assigned with estimated wind speeds around 75 mph.

Hail in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 18:35:00 to 24-MAY-08 18:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELLENDALE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Law enforcement also reported rotation in the thunderstorm west of Oakes.

Hail in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 20:03:00 to 24-MAY-08 20:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANDAN MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 20:05:00 to 24-MAY-08 20:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANDAN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail was reported on the west side of the city of Mandan.

Tornado in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 18:59:00 to 24-MAY-08 19:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: OAKES
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Dickey County Emergency Manager conducted a storm damage survey. This tornado remained in open areas, uprooting smaller trees and breaking branches. This was the third of three tornadoes in Dickey County this evening. An EF scale rating of middle EF0 was assigned with estimated wind speeds around 75 mph.

Tornado in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 18:50:00 to 24-MAY-08 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUELPH
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A Dickey County Deputy Sheriff originally reported this tornado and indicated that it was visible only as debris rotating on the ground with little if any visible condensation funnel. The Dickey County Emergency Manager later conducted a storm damage survey. There was minor damage to one side of a farm house near the tornado starting point about 4 miles northwest of Guelph. No other damage was observed as the tornado then remained over open areas. This was the second of three tornadoes in Dickey County this evening. An EF scale rating of higher end EF0 was assigned with estimated wind speeds around 80 mph.

Tornado in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 19:24:00 to 24-MAY-08 19:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: SWEET BRIAR
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The National Weather Service conducted a storm damage survey in Morton County. With this tornado there was no evidence of damage. The tornado stayed over open areas. Traffic on Interstate 94 stopped as the tornado crossed the highway. This was the second tornado in Morton County this evening. An EF scale rating of EF0 was assigned with estimated wind speeds around 65 mph.

Funnel Cloud in MORTON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 24-MAY-08 19:20:00 to 24-MAY-08 19:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW SALEM
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement