The summer of 2020 had more hot days than 2019, and July 17, 2020 was one of those hot days, with the exception of the Lake of the Woods region. Afternoon high temperatures ranged in the 80s to low 90s, with dew points in the mid 60s to mid 70s. During the early afternoon, a line of thunderstorms over north central North Dakota moved into the Devils Lake region. By the early evening, showers and storms covered most of the area north of Interstate 94 in North Dakota, and highway 10 in Minnesota. By mid to late evening, these showers and storms continued to sag southward, covering the rest of eastern North Dakota and west central Minnesota. These storms produced large hail and damaging wind gusts. In addition, most areas received from 1 to 4 inches of rain.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 17:10:00 to 17-JUL-20 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

A road sign was blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRIGGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 17:45:00 to 17-JUL-20 17:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BINFORD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Tree damage occurred throughout town.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 17:54:00 to 17-JUL-20 17:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAVENPORT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees were blown down.

Hail in GRIGGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 18:30:00 to 17-JUL-20 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALUM
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in BARNES, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 18:31:00 to 17-JUL-20 18:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAZEY BRYN ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 19:00:00 to 17-JUL-20 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASSELTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Large tree branches were blown down around town.

Hail in BARNES, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 20:00:00 to 17-JUL-20 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WIMBLEDON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Thunderstorm Wind in RICHLAND, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 20:44:00 to 17-JUL-20 20:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: WYNDMERE
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a personal weather station.

Thunderstorm Wind in RICHLAND, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 21:55:00 to 17-JUL-20 21:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: LIDGERWOOD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several trees were blown down in shelterbelts.

Thunderstorm Wind in CAVALIER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 13:40:00 to 17-JUL-20 13:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALES
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several 3 to 5 inch diameter branches were blown down in shelterbelts.

Hail in TOWNER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 13:55:00 to 17-JUL-20 13:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: CONSIDINE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Tornado in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 13:59:00 to 17-JUL-20 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NILES
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A brief tornado touchdown occurred in an open field just north of highway 2. The tornado continued to the east for less than a quarter of a mile. Peak winds were estimated at 70 mph. The tornado was wrapped in heavy rain and downburst wind, on the leading edge of a squall line.

Thunderstorm Wind in CAVALIER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 14:00:00 to 17-JUL-20 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VANG
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several large branches were blown down near the Frost Fire Resort.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 14:35:00 to 17-JUL-20 14:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: ESMOND
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several 12 inch diameter branches were blown down in a shelterbelt. Dime to nickel sized hail also fell.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 14:39:00 to 17-JUL-20 14:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: NILES
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a NDAWN mesonet sensor. A nearby north to south running irrigation system was flipped to the east.

Funnel Cloud in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 14:42:00 to 17-JUL-20 14:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: NILES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A brief funnel cloud was spotted under a persistent wall cloud. A webcam caught the funnel cloud.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 14:46:00 to 17-JUL-20 14:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: NILES
Magnitude: 88.00 EG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a RWIS mesonet sensor along highway 2.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 14:52:00 to 17-JUL-20 14:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: ADAMS
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a NDAWN mesonet sensor.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 15:01:00 to 17-JUL-20 15:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: NILES
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

A secondary burst of winds struck a RWIS mesonet sensor along highway 2.

Thunderstorm Wind in PEMBINA, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 15:25:00 to 17-JUL-20 15:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: DRAYTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

A few 3 to 5 inch diameter branches were blown down around town.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 15:32:00 to 17-JUL-20 15:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAFTON
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Metal roofing and siding were blown off a building.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 15:41:00 to 17-JUL-20 15:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANVEL
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several large branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 15:45:00 to 17-JUL-20 15:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARVILLA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

A tree was snapped in half.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 15:46:00 to 17-JUL-20 15:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: NILES
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a RWIS mesonet sensor along highway 2.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 15:53:00 to 17-JUL-20 15:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOLACK
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

The wind gusts were estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 15:55:00 to 17-JUL-20 15:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHERBROOKE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 15:56:00 to 17-JUL-20 15:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: (GFK)GRAND FORKS INT
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The wind gust was measured at the Grand Forks airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:01:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOLACK
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured by a RWIS mesonet sensor.

Hail in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:04:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOKIO
Magnitude: 2.75 
Reported by: Social Media

Hail in EDDY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:10:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHEYENNE
Magnitude: 2.75 
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Golfball to baseball sized hail fell.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:17:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND FORKS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A light pole and several large branches were blown down near the post office.

Hail in RAMSEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:20:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKEWOOD PARK
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Social Media

The hail fell near Woodland Resort.

Hail in NELSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:45:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOLNA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Public

Hail in EDDY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 16:48:00 to 17-JUL-20 16:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW ROCKFORD ARPT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in NELSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 17:01:00 to 17-JUL-20 17:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC VILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Trees were blown down by a thunderstorm gust front.

Tornado in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 17-JUL-20 14:47:00 to 17-JUL-20 14:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: NILES
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 2.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado briefly touched down near highway 2, snapping trees in a shelterbelt. A nearby RWIS mesonet sensor reported a wind gust to 101 mph. The tornado was likely wrapped in heavy rain and downburst winds. Peak winds were estimated at 105 mph.