Hail in Kidder County, North Dakota

Hail up to the size of quarters that lasted about 10 minutes.

As an upper level low moved through the region, severe thunderstorms developed along a weak cold front that moved through North Dakota. Scattered showers and non-severe thunderstorms were ongoing during the morning before increasing in strength throughout the afternoon. A cluster of severe thunderstorms moved through parts of north central North Dakota, including the Turtle Mountains area, before additional storms developed to the south in the James River Valley area.

The most significant damage occurred approximately 4 miles northeast of Belcourt. Multiple buildings were damaged at a collection of properties in this area. A garage on the southwest side of the damage area lost a section of its roof that video and drone footage show was blown northeast across the property. The other main building with damage is a residential home at the center property that lost a significant portion of its roof ripped off. On the north and east side of this property, there were multiple hardwood trees damaged, some snapped about halfway down, but all generally extending to the northeast. A utility truck was parked at the center property and was facing south when the storm came through. A two by four plank of wood went through the windshield and both occupants of the truck had minor injuries. At the eastern property in this group, a shed collapsed and was blown into the edge of a wooded area to the northeast. Drone footage shows numerous trees damaged in this wooded area, extending a few hundred feet northeast of the buildings on the property. Winds were estimated at 95 mph. To the northeast, there was another property with approximately 15 to 20 oak trees that were damaged.

The other main area of damage occurred in Stutsman County, one mile west of Spiritwood. A 200 foot by 60 foot barn was blown over and dismantled. Based on photo and satellite imagery, barn was oriented west-east with 3 doors facing south. The storm was moving from south to north, which would be a favorable direction to funnel wind into the broad side of the barn with multiple doors, helping the barn collapse and push pieces into the tree row directly to the north. This is consistent with wind speeds of around 85 mph.

The highest measured wind gust was 62 mph near Zeeland in Mcintosh County and near Pettibone in Kidder County. The largest hail reported was golf ball sized, west of Belcourt in Rolette County.