A powerful storm swept through Greater Grand Forks early Friday morning, with wind gusts exceeding 90 mph reported west of the city. The storm, which raised concerns of a tornado, inflicted substantial damage to the Valley United Co-op grain elevator in Thompson, downed numerous trees, and caused power outages for residents in various neighborhoods of Grand Forks.
A tornado warning was issued at 4:12 a.m. as the storm front approached, followed by the activation of tornado sirens at 4:20 a.m. The severe weather system extended across the state from the Canadian border to the South Dakota border. By 4:30 a.m., the tornado warning was lifted, though the storm continued to bring heavy rains. A rain gauge recorded just over half an inch of precipitation before 5 a.m., and by 8 a.m., that figure rose to approximately three-quarters of an inch.
Amanda Lee, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, indicated that wind speeds ranged from 50 to 60 mph across the Red River Valley, with the highest recorded gust at Grand Forks Air Force Base — a striking 91 mph. Emergency responders were on site to assess whether the radar signals indicated a tornado touchdown or merely powerful winds. Although no sightings of a tornado were reported during the storm’s peak, the NWS speculated that a tornado may have indeed touched down at the base given the extreme wind speeds.
Power outages affected several neighborhoods, particularly those south of downtown Grand Forks. In nearby Logan Center Township, winds reached 67 mph, while Grand Forks International Airport recorded 59 mph gusts. Alvarado, Minnesota, experienced winds of 75 mph, contrasting with the milder conditions reported in Roseau, where winds only reached 25 mph.
Lee emphasized that the storm intensified as it moved into Grand Forks County, cautioning residents to stay informed by following the NWS on social media for the latest updates. The resilience of the community in facing such adverse weather events is commendable, and as assessments continue, it is hoped that necessary responses will swiftly restore normalcy to the affected areas.