Grand Forks, ND

Weather Forecast Office

May 12th, 2022, Significant Severe Event - Midwest Derecho

Overview

A long tracked severe mesoscale convective complex (MCS) moved out of eastern Nebraska and South Dakota into central and western Minnesota, including west-central and northwest Minnesota, on May 12, 2022. This MCS was particularly long lived and intense producing numerous 80+ mph wind gusts and several tornadoes. This event met the classification of derecho. Other notables include the thick dust that accompanied gusty winds, heavy rainfall, as well as strong 60+ mph non-thunderstorm wind gusts on May 13 associated with the strong low pressure within North Dakota.

As of June 30, 2022, the May 12, 2022, Midwest Derecho event holds the highest number of significant wind gust (75+ mph) reports from any one convective complex on record with 68 reports of measured wind gusts 75 mph or greater. The previous record for the highest number of measured, significant wind gusts was 64 reports during the Central Plains-Midwest derecho of December 15, 2021.

Tornado
Wind
Photos
Radar
Environment

Tornadoes:

Tornado - North Ottawa
GRANT COUNTY, MN

Date	May 12th, 2022
Time (Local)	707 - 710 PM CDT
EF Rating	1
Est. Peak Winds	100 MPH
Path Length	3 miles
Max Width	150 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: Several large Ash and Cottonwood tree limbs were broken down in shelter belts. At least 2 wooden power poles were cracked and 2 others were leaning as a result of this storm.

Track Map

Tornado - Le Mars
RICHLAND COUNTY, ND

Date	May 12th, 2022
Time (Local)	710 - 713 PM CDT
EF Rating	1
Est. Peak Winds	100 MPH
Path Length	3 miles
Max Width	150 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: Several large Ash and Box Elder tree limbs were broken down in shelter belts. 2 wooden power poles were cracked and 2 others were leaning as a result of the storm.

Track Map

Tornado - Campbell
WILKIN COUNTY, MN

Date	May 12th, 2022
Time (Local)	716 - 725 PM CDT
EF Rating	2
Est. Peak Winds	115 MPH
Path Length	9 miles
Max Width	500 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: This Tornado was best marked by the trail of at least 23 power poles that were cracked or completely snapped along its route. In addition to the trees snapped and garage doors were blown in at a few rural homesteads, the community of Campbell had widespread tree damage, with numerous spruce trees uprooted and partially leafed-out ash and cottonwood trees snapped. Falling trees damaged numerous homes and vehicles throughout the community. Large steel grain bins at the Campbell elevator complex were partially caved in.

Track Map

Tornado - Battle Lake
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MN

Date	May 12th, 2022
Time (Local)	731 - 734 PM CDT
EF Rating	1
Est. Peak Winds	100 MPH
Path Length	3.5 miles
Max Width	300 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: One single-wide trailer was flipped. Numerous spruce, poplar, and ash trees were snapped or uprooted. Metal roofing was blown off of storage near the airport. Additional damage information is pending.

Track Map

Tornado - West Mason Lake
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MN

Date	May 12th, 2022
Time (Local)	740 - 741 PM CDT
EF Rating	0
Est. Peak Winds	85 MPH
Path Length	1 mile
Max Width	25 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0-0
Summary: A waterspout was observed over West Mason Lake. A survey of the area showed several large 6 to 10 inch diameter tree branches broken down on the north shore.

Track Map

Tornado - Verndale
WADENA COUNTY, MN

Date	May 12th, 2022
Time (Local)	753 - 811 PM CDT
EF Rating	2
Est. Peak Winds	115 MPH
Path Length	16 miles
Max Width	500 yards
Injuries/Deaths	0/0
Summary: This Tornado was discerned by a combination of radar data and a few more extreme damage indicators along its path, which included numerous snapped power poles. There were numerous spruce, poplar and ash trees which were snapped or uprooted throughout a broad area, as this tornado was wrapped in heavy rains and more widespread downburst winds. Falling trees damaged numerous homes and vehicles throughout the communities of Verndale and Blue Grass, and the surrounding rural areas. Numerous farm buildings, many that were opened to the south, had steel roofing and sidewall panels torn off by the winds. Turkey barns, and other industrial buildings lost roofing materials as well. Additional damage information is pending.

Track Map

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0 Weak 65-85 mph	EF1 Moderate 86-110 mph	EF2 Significant 111-135 mph	EF3 Severe 136-165 mph	EF4 Extreme 166-200 mph	EF5 Catastrophic 200+ mph

Wind:

A particularly high number of severe wind gusts were reported from May 12th 2022 Midwest Derecho. Click here for an interactive comprehensive map of storm reports during this event.

Here is a summary of reports from within the National Weather Service Grand Fork's area of responsibility, including a 94 mph measured wind gust in Verndale, Minnesota:

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
1000 AM CDT FRI MAY 13 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0642 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 E EMERADO             47.92N 97.32W
05/12/2022  M60 MPH          GRAND FORKS        ND   MESONET          

            GUST AT 10M, COURTESY OF NDAWN. 

0706 PM     TSTM WND GST     HANKINSON 9 SSE         45.95N 96.82W
05/12/2022  M66 MPH          RICHLAND           ND   MESONET          

            WIND GUST AT THE SOUTH DAKOTA DOT RWIS SITE 
            VICTOR AT THE NORTH/SOUTH DAKOTA BORDER. 

0711 PM     HAIL             1 NNW VALLEY CITY       46.93N 98.01W
05/12/2022  M1.00 INCH       BARNES             ND   PUBLIC           

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS HAIL REPORT FROM 1 NNW 
            VALLEY CITY. REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER 
            (1.00 IN.). 

0715 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CAMPBELL                46.10N 96.41W
05/12/2022                   WILKIN             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 
            CAMPBELL. WILKIN COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT 
            REPORTS MULTIPLE TREES DOWN AND POWER LINES 
            DOWN IN CAMPBELL. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 

0715 PM     TSTM WND GST     ELBOW LAKE 11 W         45.99N 96.21W
05/12/2022  M70 MPH          GRANT              MN   MESONET          

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND GST REPORT FROM 6 
            ESE NASHUA. PERSONAL WEATHER STATION. WIND 
            GUST OF 70 MPH. 

0716 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 S HANKINSON           46.03N 96.89W
05/12/2022  M78 MPH          RICHLAND           ND   MESONET          

            PERSONAL WEATHER STATION REPORTS 78MPH WIND 
            GUST. 

0718 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 SSE CAMPBELL          46.06N 96.38W
05/12/2022  M69 MPH          WILKIN             MN   MESONET          

            COURTESY OF NDAWN. GUST AT 3 METERS. 

0720 PM     TSTM WND GST     ASHBY                   46.09N 95.82W
05/12/2022  M58 MPH          GRANT              MN   MESONET          

            PERSONAL WEATHER STATION AT ASHBY LAKE. 

0720 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 N ERDAHL              46.04N 95.82W
05/12/2022                   GRANT              MN   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS 

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 3 
            N ERDAHL. SEMI-TRUCKS FLIPPED OVER ALONG 
            I-94 FROM T-STORMS WINDS. 

0723 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BRECKENRIDGE            46.26N 96.59W
05/12/2022                   WILKIN             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 
            BRECKENRIDGE. WILKIN COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT 
            REPORTS POWER LINES AND LARGE TREES DOWN IN 
            THE CITY OF BRECKENRIDGE. TIME ESTIMATED BY 
            RADAR. 

0725 PM     TSTM WND DMG     WAHPETON                46.27N 96.61W
05/12/2022                   RICHLAND           ND   PUBLIC           

            ROOF DAMAGE WITH MISSING SHINGLES AND A 
            LARGE HOLE IN THE ROOF. 

0725 PM     TSTM WND GST     WESTERN                 46.15N 96.18W
05/12/2022  M67 MPH          OTTER TAIL         MN   MESONET          

            PERSONAL WEATHER STATION REPORTS A 67MPH 
            WIND GUST. 

0725 PM     TSTM WND GST     6 W CAMPBELL            46.10N 96.53W
05/12/2022  M63 MPH          WILKIN             MN   MESONET          

            PERSONAL WEATHER STATION REPORTS WIND GUST 
            OF 63MPH. 

0725 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 S WAHPETON            46.24N 96.61W
05/12/2022  M59 MPH          RICHLAND           ND   AWOS             

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND GST REPORT FROM 2 
            S WAHPETON. 10M WIND GUST. 

0725 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 SW MOORETON           46.24N 96.92W
05/12/2022  M76 MPH          RICHLAND           ND   MESONET          

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND GST REPORT FROM 3 
            SW MOORETON. MOORETON NDAWN GUST AT 10M. 
            COURTESY OF NDAWN. 

0728 PM     TSTM WND GST     10 SE BRECKENRIDGE      46.16N 96.44W
05/12/2022  M67 MPH          WILKIN             MN   MESONET          

            PERSONAL WEATHER STATION REPORTS 67MPH WIND 
            GUST. 

0730 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 W FERGUS FALLS        46.28N 96.13W
05/12/2022  M73 MPH          OTTER TAIL         MN   AWOS             

            REPORTED ON THE 1 MINUTE OBSERVATIONS AT 
            FERGUS FALLS AIRPORT. 

0730 PM     TSTM WND DMG     WAHPETON                46.27N 96.61W
05/12/2022                   RICHLAND           ND   TRAINED SPOTTER  

            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS 1-2FT DIAMETER TREES 
            DOWN, ROOF DAMAGE IN WAHPETON. TIME 
            ESTIMATED. 

0730 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 SW FERGUS FALLS       46.24N 96.13W
05/12/2022  M60 MPH          OTTER TAIL         MN   MESONET          

            PERSONAL WEATHER STATION REPORTS A 60 MPH 
            WIND GUST. 

0734 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 NW PARKERS PRAIRIE    46.17N 95.36W
05/12/2022  M60 MPH          OTTER TAIL         MN   MESONET          

            COURTESY OF NDAWN AT 3M. 

0735 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 NNW CLITHERALL        46.31N 95.66W
05/12/2022  M68 MPH          OTTER TAIL         MN   MESONET          

            PERSONAL WEATHER STATION REPORTS 68MPH GUST 
            AT 7:35PM. 

0740 PM     TORNADO          4 NNW VINING            46.32N 95.57W
05/12/2022  UF0              OTTER TAIL         MN   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC REPORTS A WATERSPOUT ON WEST MASON 
            LAKE. 

0740 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 SSE STAR LAKE         46.49N 95.78W
05/12/2022                   OTTER TAIL         MN   PUBLIC           

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 3 
            SSE STAR LAKE. 7 INCH DIAMETER HEALTHY 
            BRANCH BROKEN IN MAINE, MN. 

0744 PM     HAIL             WRIGHTSTOWN             46.27N 95.19W
05/12/2022  E1.00 INCH       OTTER TAIL         MN   PUBLIC           

            QUARTER SIZED HAIL 12S WADENA. SMALL 
            BRANCHES DOWN AS WELL. 

0744 PM     TSTM WND GST     ROTHSAY                 46.47N 96.29W
05/12/2022  M65 MPH          WILKIN             MN   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS 

            GUST FROM THE ROTHSAY RWIS. 

0748 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     1 E WRIGHTSTOWN         46.27N 95.16W
05/12/2022                   OTTER TAIL         MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  

            FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. 

0755 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 NW VERNDALE           46.42N 95.04W
05/12/2022  M94 MPH          WADENA             MN   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS 

            REPORTED BY VERNDALE RWIS. 

0800 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 ENE BARNESVILLE       46.67N 96.36W
05/12/2022  M58 MPH          CLAY               MN   MESONET          

            PERSONAL WEATHER STATION REPORTS A 58 MPH 
            WIND GUST. 

0800 PM     TSTM WND GST     1 SW SHOREHAM           46.75N 95.91W
05/12/2022  M58 MPH          BECKER             MN   MESONET          

            PERSONAL WEATHER STATION REPORTS A 58 MPH 
            WIND GUST. 

0800 PM     HAIL             ARGYLE                  48.34N 96.82W
05/12/2022  M0.25 INCH       MARSHALL           MN   PUBLIC           

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS HAIL REPORT FROM ARGYLE. 
            PEA SIZED HAIL WAS REPORTED IN ARGYLE 
            MINNESOTA ON SOCIAL MEDIA. 

0814 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     FINGAL                  46.76N 97.79W
05/12/2022                   BARNES             ND   LAW ENFORCEMENT  

            FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, 
            RECEDED SHORTLY AFTER. 

0814 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     3 S PARK RAPIDS         46.90N 95.06W
05/12/2022                   HUBBARD            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT  

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS FUNNEL CLOUD REPORT FROM 1 
            S PARK RAPIDS. FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED BY LAW 
            ENFORCEMENT, LESS THAN 1/4 OF THE WAY DOWN 
            TO THE GROUND. 


&&

$$

Photos

Click here for a compilation of tweets illustrating the event within eastern South Dakota into Minnesota.


Trees Uprooted 1E Doran (Megan Wanek)	Snapped Power Poles due to the North Ottawa tornado (Tina L.)	Roofing missing from Turkey Barns in Verndale (Reba Kompaa)	Destroyed Shed 6SE Sebeka (Reba Kompaa)

Radar

Radar Imagery from May 12th, 2022

Environment

Click here to see SPC's Severe Weather Event archive of May 12, 2022, including mesoscale discussions, environmental data, upper air analysis, soundings, and outlooks.


300 mb 18 - 21 UTC	500 mb 18 - 21 UTC	Max Lapse Rates 18 - 21 UTC


MLCAPE (0-3km) and bulk shear 18 - 21 UTC	0-3km SRH 18 - 21 UTC	Sig Tor Parameter 18 - 21 UTC

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