During the early morning hours of July 4th, surface low pressure had set up over north central South Dakota, with an east-to-west warm front extending eastward from the low along the North Dakota/South Dakota border into west central Minnesota. Temperatures across eastern North Dakota and the northwest quarter of Minnesota ranged in the 70s with dew points in the upper 60s to low 70s. The mid level winds (500mb) were from the south-southwest. A bowing line of thunderstorms, stretching from south of Rugby to the North Dakota/South Dakota border moved into portions of the southwest Devils Lake region just after 130 am CDT. Following the mid level wind flow, the storms tracked to the east-northeast, reaching the Red River Valley around 4 am CDT. At this point, the bowing line of storms stretched from southern Manitoba down into northeast South Dakota. This bowing line of storms tracked through the northwest quarter of Minnesota in the 4 to 6 am CDT time frame, so these storms were moving quite quickly. Most of the storms had exited the Baudette to Park Rapids corridor by 7 am CDT. These storms produced widespread damaging winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in EDDY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 01:07:00 to 04-JUL-18 01:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUNDAS SIDING
Magnitude: 80.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A half mile or more of power poles were snapped off on a 69,000 volt transmission line.

Thunderstorm Wind in RAMSEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 01:35:00 to 04-JUL-18 01:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: PENN
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Downburst winds hit homesteads across eastern Coulee and western Dry Lake townships. At one homestead, winds up to 80 mph blew in the overhead door of a south facing garage. In addition, the east and north walls were blown out and the roof was peeled back to the north-northeast. A small wooden granary was slid back on its foundation. Quite a bit of tree damage also occurred in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in NELSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 01:44:00 to 04-JUL-18 01:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOLNA
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Quite a bit of tree damage was reported around the Stump Lake Park and campground.

Thunderstorm Wind in NELSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 01:45:00 to 04-JUL-18 01:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC VILLE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Four to six inch diameter tree branches were blown down around town.

Thunderstorm Wind in BARNES, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 01:46:00 to 04-JUL-18 01:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: SANBORN
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Tree damage was reported around the Lake Ashtabula campground.

Thunderstorm Wind in RAMSEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 01:48:00 to 04-JUL-18 01:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: DOYON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A shed was tumbled, fencing and roofing were torn up, and a building was demolished at the Devils Lake Speedway.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:14:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC CANNA
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Large branches and trees were blown down in a shelterbelt along highway 2.

Thunderstorm Wind in RAMSEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:15:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWTON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees were blown down and a trailer home was damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:25:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: FOREST RIVER COLONY
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by an NDAWN mesonet station.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:28:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: (RDR)GRAND FORKS AFB
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

At least three trees were uprooted with other tree damage noted. A brick housing sign was also knocked over.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:44:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANVEL
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

A tree was uprooted along Interstate 29, near mile marker 149.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:44:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: MINTO
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:46:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAFTON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several large trees were blown down, a fireworks tent was blown down, and a boat/trailer combination was blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:48:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAFTON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted in town. One north to south oriented building near highway 17 had its sheet metal roofing peeled back toward the east.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:52:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOLACK
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

A tree was snapped in half.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:54:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: OAKWOOD
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

Two power poles were blown down along highway 17.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:58:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: HERRICK
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEMBINA, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:00:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: AKRA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several pine trees were snapped along the bike path.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEMBINA, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:02:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: DRAYTON
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Tree and roof damage was reported throughout town.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEMBINA, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:05:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAVALIER
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees were uprooted and power outages were reported.

Hail in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:06:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: LISBON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: COOP Observer

Thunderstorm Wind in SARGENT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:06:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOVING
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several trees were snapped along highway 13.

Thunderstorm Wind in SARGENT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:09:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUTLAND
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Tree damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEMBINA, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:20:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEMBINA
Magnitude: 75.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Large trees were blown down and the grandstand roof was blown off the ball field.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:23:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: (FAR)HECTOR INTL ARP
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in RICHLAND, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 03:45:00 to 04-JUL-18 03:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MATHEWS
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees were blown down and a chair was blown through the railing of a deck.

Tornado in EDDY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 01:29:00 to 04-JUL-18 01:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMAR
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 2.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado likely initiated in a bowing section of a squall line over central Eddy Township, in Eddy County. The tornado tracked for about three miles to the north-northeast, ending around one mile northeast of Warwick in Benson County. Roughly half the track was in Eddy County and half in Benson County. roofing material was blown off of homes and farm buildings. Several power poles were snapped. Peak winds were estimated at 115 mph.

Tornado in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 01:31:00 to 04-JUL-18 01:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARWICK
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 2.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado began in Eddy County at 0129 am CST, with about half its total path length occurring in Eddy County. The total path length was about three miles. The tornado likely initiated in a bowing section of a squall line and passed just east of Warwick. Multiple power poles were snapped on both north and south sides of highway 20. Large trees were snapped in and around Warwick. Metal sheathing was torn off a grain cleaning structure. Peak winds were estimated at 115 mph.

Tornado in RAMSEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 04-JUL-18 02:20:00 to 04-JUL-18 02:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWTON
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 2.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An old barn was peeled open and sections of its walls and roof were flung to the north. Timbers from the barn penetrated into a home located 80 yards to the north. A Davis wind sensor located just west of the main tornado path registered a 68 mph south wind followed by a rapid shift to a 66 mph west wind. One older power pole located a half mile north-northeast of the farmstead was also cracked. Peak winds were estimated at 105 mph.