Thunderstorm Wind in Foster County, North Dakota

Severe thunderstorm winds of 65 to 105 miles per hour tore across Foster County causing extensive damage on many farms and in towns. Damage included grain bins destroyed, a grain elevator severely damaged, roofs torn off of outbuildings, and damage to homes. Vehicle damage was also surveyed, including to a semi tractor that was struck by a grain bin. Agricultural damage was severe and extensive.

Tornado Watch number 426 and Severe Thunderstorm Watch number 427 were both in effect during this event.

Very high instability with CAPE around 5000 J/KG set the stage for severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening. Large scale ascent ahead of an upper level jet streak coupled with several embedded short wave troughs were the triggers for convection. Storm phase was initially supercellular early in this event with both large hail and strong winds reported. By the late afternoon the storms had congealed into a bowing line with widespread severe winds from the Missouri River Valley through the James River Valley. A National Weather Service damage survey determined winds as high as 105 miles per hour occurred in Foster County.