Thunderstorm Wind in Rolette County, North Dakota

Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated by emergency management.

Thunderstorms developed over Montana ahead of a short-wave trough. The storms formed into a line producing primarily damaging wind gusts, and moved into western and eventually central North Dakota. Intense winds occurred with these storms, especially over the Beach and Fairfield areas where significant damage was reported. In the Beach area of Golden Valley County, estimated 90 mph wind gusts uprooted trees, damaged power lines, and damaged a few structures. Even more damage occurred in the Fairfield area of Billings County where estimated 120 mph winds broke approximately 100 power poles, blew over a two-ton transformer, blew down a communications tower, and damaged or destroyed some structures. A few of the storms produced large hail, the largest being golf ball size, and occurred near Heart Butte Dam in Grant County.