2010 Tyler–Doran tornado

In the afternoon hours of August 7, 2010, a violent drillbit EF4 tornado impacted areas near Tyler, North DAKOTA and Doran, Minnesota. Multiple farms were destroyed along its , resulting in an EF4 rating from the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, with peak winds at . Although lasting 25 minutes, no casualties were reported. The tornado was part of a small tornado outbreak that included a total of 13 tornadoes.

The tornado first touchdown south of Tyler in Richland County, North Dakota at 5:25 p.m CDT, destroying several farms at EF3-intensity before crossing the border into Wilkin County, Minnesota. Here, EF4-damage was inflicted to a farm southwest of Doran, where an outbuilding was swept away, along with several vehicles being thrown. The tornado continued tracking through farm field, scouring the ground and ripping sugar beets out of the ground, before dissipating at 5:50 p.m CDT.

Meteorological synopsis

During the morning of August 7, the Storm Prediction Center held a slight risk over parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota into Wisconsin. An upper-level ridge over the central United States had flattened considerably during the preceding 24-hours, allowing stronger westerly flow to develop across the Plains and into the Upper Mississippi Valley. A weak surface low near the North Dakota–South Dakota border was ejecting a moist and highly unstable air mass northward through the Upper Mississippi Valley. Increasing westerly winds aloft were also transporting the moisture-rich air mass farther across the Dakotas, while strong surface heating and dew points approaching 70 °F (21 °C) were expected to provide sufficient instability for severe thunderstorms by the afternoon. Thunderstorms were expected to initially develop across central and eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota ahead of an approaching shortwave trough. Storms were forecast to develop in a mixed-mode configuration, including discrete supercells and bowing segments, before becoming increasingly widespread and moving southeastward across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Forecast soundings indicated steep mid-level lapse rates and strong effective vertical wind shear, supporting the potential for very large hail and isolated tornadoes. By the middle to late evening, the storms were expected to consolidate into a fast-moving mesoscale convective system (MCS), with damaging straight-line winds becoming the primary threat.

Formation in Richland County

The tornado first developed at approximately 6:25 p.m. CDT south of Tyler, North Dakota. It initially moved eastward across Richland County, damaging or destroying seven farm buildings, while significant tree stubbing was also reported. Significant ground scouring was observed for most of its early life in the county. A tornado warning was issued by the NWS in Grand Forks at 5:05 p.m CST. The tornado continued eastward toward the Minnesota state line, where one property on SE 183rd Avenue was impacted at EF3 intensity. The tornado remaining on the ground for approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) within Richland County.

Entering Wilkin County and dissipation

Upon entering Wilkin County, Minnesota, the tornado continue to intensify before peaking at EF4 intensity, maintaining its drill-bit appearance. The tornado then crossed County Highway 9 where it erratically tracked in between two farmsteads. The southeast corner of northern farmsteads sustained a direct hit at low-end EF4 intensity, completely sweeping away seven well-built farm buildings and severely damaging a home. Major tree damage was noted to the shelter-belt surrounding the farmstead. A Ford truck was violently thrown and mangled, with parts of it deposited in nearby fields. Its engine block was later found nearly two-thirds of a mile (1.1 km) from where the truck came to rest. It then destroy six additional farm buildings, bringing the total number destroyed along the tornado's path to 14. Sugar beet field was heavily scoured, with numerous plants pulled from the ground. The tornado subsequently began to weaken as it turned northward. It dissipated at approximately 6:50 p.m. CDT after traveling about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) through Wilkin County. The tornado had a total path length of approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) and remained on the ground for about 22 minutes.

Impacts and aftermath

A total of 14 farms and houses were damaged along its path, 2 were completely destroyed. Power lines were downed, and significant damages to sugar field was reported.

In popular culture

The tornado was captured on camera in close range by storm chaser Andy Gabrielson, with his footage later shown in many documentaries. Photos taken of the tornado would also be used in various newspaper and videographic media on social platforms.

See also

• List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2010–2019)
• List of United States tornadoes from August to September 2010
• 2020 Ashby tornado