Downstream of a strong upper level short wave trough, atmospheric destabilization was occurring late Thursday morning across much of west and central North Dakota in the wake of earlier thunderstorms, along with large scale ascent ahead of the trough resulting in surface low pressure deepening over southwest North Dakota. Tornado Watch number 333 was issued for much of west and all of central North Dakota early in the afternoon of Thursday, June 17th, due to ongoing severe convection and for the expected increase in storm coverage and severity.  Storms rapidly intensified throughout the afternoon as large scale ascent and deep layer wind shear increased across the region, and as the surface low lifted northward towards Canada.
Multiple severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were issued during this event. Two flash flood warnings were issued as well. Numerous reports of large hail, severe thunderstorm winds, and heavy rain were received. More importantly, communication with local officials confirmed there were four tornado touchdowns, one of which resulted in minor damage in the city of Hettinger.

Thunderstorm Wind in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 14:45:00 to 17-JUN-10 14:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARRINGTON
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Severe thunderstorm wind gusts resulted in roof damage to a farm house and damage to a garage. Based on pictures and reports from the Foster County Emergency Manager, it was determined that damage was consistent with straight line winds and not a tornado.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 14:40:00 to 17-JUN-10 14:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: VOLTAIRE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The strong thunderstorm winds overturned a semi-trailer.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 14:41:00 to 17-JUN-10 14:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWYER
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Severe thunderstorm winds resulted in several trees to be uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 13:06:00 to 17-JUN-10 13:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: BISMARCK
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

No damage was reported with the severe thunderstorm wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 13:47:00 to 17-JUN-10 13:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOFFIT
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Winds were measured at the Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge Remote Automated Weather Sensor site.

Thunderstorm Wind in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 14:30:00 to 17-JUN-10 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: FESSENDEN
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Severe thunderstorm wind gusts resulted in extensive tree damage in and around the city of Fessenden. No structural damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 14:55:00 to 17-JUN-10 15:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOUTH PRAIRIE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy rain accompanied the strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 15:20:00 to 17-JUN-10 15:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: BERWICK
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Severe thunderstorm wind gusts resulted in multiple large trees to become uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 15:06:00 to 17-JUN-10 15:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC HENRY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The strong thunderstorm wind gust was accompanied with large hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 13:10:00 to 17-JUN-10 13:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEULAH
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

No damage was reported with the severe thunderstorm wind gust.

Hail in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 13:25:00 to 17-JUN-10 13:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: UNDERWOOD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 15:06:00 to 17-JUN-10 15:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC HENRY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 10:55:00 to 17-JUN-10 11:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRYSTAL SPGS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 14:43:00 to 17-JUN-10 14:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARRINGTON
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Severe thunderstorm wind gusts resulted in damage to grain bins near Carrington. Based on pictures and reports from the Foster County Emergency Manager, it was determined that damage was consistent with straight line winds and not a tornado.

Thunderstorm Wind in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 14:44:00 to 17-JUN-10 14:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARRINGTON
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Severe thunderstorm wind gusts resulted in roof damage to a feed building near Carrington. Based on pictures and reports from the Foster County Emergency Manager, it was determined that damage was consistent with straight line winds and not a tornado.

Hail in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 13:40:00 to 17-JUN-10 13:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRYSTAL SPGS
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail was accompanied with winds gusting to 50 miles per hour.

Hail in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 13:55:00 to 17-JUN-10 13:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAX
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 11:35:00 to 17-JUN-10 11:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODWORTH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 13:16:00 to 17-JUN-10 13:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEULAH
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 14:45:00 to 17-JUN-10 14:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARRINGTON
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Severe thunderstorm wind gusts resulted in damage to a storage building near Carrington, along with downed power lines. Based on pictures and reports from the Foster County Emergency Manager, it was determined that damage was consistent with straight line winds and not a tornado.

Tornado in BURKE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 13:31:00 to 17-JUN-10 13:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: LARSON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported a visible debris cloud near the ground with this tornado. This tornado touchdown occurred in the open country with no reported damage.

Tornado in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 14:44:00 to 17-JUN-10 14:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINGREE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A brief tornado touchdown occurred in rural Stutsman County. No damage reports were received.

Tornado in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 13:55:00 to 17-JUN-10 14:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: STREETER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

This tornado touched down in rural Stutsman County. There were no reports of damage.

Tornado in ADAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 09:35:00 to 17-JUN-10 09:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: HETTINGER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

This tornado formed just outside of the city of Hettinger, crossed Mirror Lake, where it picked up water, and came into the city on the south side. Tree branches were broken, windows were broken on an apartment building, and an automobile was damaged. The front passenger side of an automobile with two occupants was lifted off the ground a few inches and dropped back down. The occupants saw the narrow tornado spin up the street at them and then lift as it got overhead. They were shook up but no one was injured. Based on the damage done the tornado was rated low end EF1. From that it was determined that the wind speeds were around 90 mph.

Flash Flood in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 16:10:00 to 17-JUN-10 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURLINGTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 800.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Flash flooding occurred in Minot and surrounding areas due to very heavy rain from thunderstorms. The total 24 hour precipitation total for Minot on June 17 was 3.75 inches, with much of this occurring during the mid afternoon hours.
Water ran almost two feet deep over roads in many locations. Many homes reported water damage to their basements with water flowing into basement windows. Drainage systems also became overwhelmed, resulting in sewer backup in some residences. Multiple roads were washed out along with damage to storm sewers. One plugged storm sewer resulted in flooding and floor damage to the basement at the Minot Public High School.
Damage amounts from this event were estimated based on newspaper articles and other storm reports.

Hail in STUTSMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 11:50:00 to 17-JUN-10 11:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODWORTH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUN-10 12:16:00 to 17-JUN-10 12:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARLOW
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public