A deadly and destructive outbreak sequence of 23 tornadoes struck parts of the Great Plains and the Great Lakes in late-July 1957. At least seven significant tornadoes touched down during the outbreak sequence, including a large, violent, and catastrophic 500-yard-wide F5 tornado family that struck Fargo, North Dakota on Thursday, June 20, 1957. The outbreak caused 11 fatalities, 105 injuries, and $25.883 million in damage.
Meteorological Synopsis
On June 20, 1957, a combination of strong instability and vertical wind shear, high storm-relative helicity, favorable storm-relative flow, and lowered lifted condensation levels set up over the High Plains. Boundary-layer moisture was also present, which was enhanced via evapotranspiration and moisture convergence. A shortwave ridge then centered itself over the region and, despite only modest forcing, a trough spawned a low-pressure area over Southwestern North Dakota. It then moved northeastward into the central part of the state, where temperatures and dewpoints were in the lower 80s and lower 70s respectfully. Although bulk shear was not quite high enough to support long-tracked supercells, meteorologist did indicate that an outbreak of severe thunderstorms along with a significant to violent tornado or two was possible. That afternoon, a thunderstorm complex over Devil's Lake, North Dakota produced an outflow boundary that further enhanced the low-level convergence zone in Eastern North Dakota and Western Minnesota. An isolated supercell formed in the warm sector of the low pressure system and took advantage of this favorable environment, dropping five tornadoes, including the F5 tornado in Fargo. Four other tornadoes were confirmed on that day, although most were brief, but some were strong as well.
Wheatland—Fargo, North Dakota/Moorhead–Hawley, Minnesota
A violent F5 tornado family tore directly through Downtown Fargo, killing 10 and injuring 103. The supercell produced the first tornado at 5:40 PM CDT near Wheatland, North Dakota. The weak F0 tornado moved east-northeast, tossing haybales and damaging crops. After, the tornado lifted and another tornado touched down just to its the south. It struck the town of Casselton at F2 intensity, causing major damage. After traveling the tornado lifted and supercell continued to the east for about without producing a tornado, although a consistent wall cloud was present. As it neared Fargo, the cell dropped another tornado over West Fargo. As it traveled east, it began to rapidly intensify, grew to, and became violent as it struck Fargo. Numerous homes, businesses, and vehicles were damaged and destroyed. One neighborhood had multiple homes that were completely swept away and all 10 fatalities occurred here. Damage at this location was rated F5. The tornado then weakened, but remained strong as it crossed the Red River into Moorhead, Minnesota, damaging more building and homes. The tornado then turned sharply north and dissipated after being on the ground for and injuring 103. After continuing another, the supercell dropped a fourth tornado, which quickly became a violent F4 storm as it moved eastward through Glyndon. It then turned northeastward, and produced significant tree damage along the Buffalo River before completely destroying a family farm. Significant damage was observed on a second farm before the abruptly turned north and dissipated after traveling. The cell traveled about, before dropping one final F3 tornado in Dale. It traveled for, destroying a family farm as it occluded northward. A clock inside the residence stopped at 9:05 PM CDT, when the tornado struck. The tornado dissipated five minutes later at 9:10 PM CDT. The family of tornadoes traveled a total, was wide at its peak, and was rated F5 when the Fujita scale came into effect in 1973. Although numerous studies indicate that this was a tornado family, it is officially listed as one continuous tornado. A total of 10 people were killed and 103 others were injured with all the casualties occurring in Fargo, although some sources list the death toll as 12. Damage was estimated $25.25 million.
