A small but intense tornado outbreak occurred predominantly over McPherson and Brown County, South Dakota on June 23, 2002. A supercell thunderstorm produced six tornadoes in 72 minutes within the two counties. Two of the tornadoes were rated F3 and F4 respectively, and caused considerable damage to several homes and farms. Two other tornadoes occurred in North Dakota during the same time. The outbreak in Brown County was documented by a group of storm chasers and was featured on an episode of The Weather Channel's Storm Stories.

Meteorological synopsis The area hit by the outbreak was in a drought; in the past three months, the area had only received four inches of rain. On June 23, a triple point was set up across eastern South Dakota, setting the stage for a powerful supercell to form.

Confirmed tornadoes

+ List of confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, June 23, 2002F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary F0NE of LeolaMcPhersonSD00:20–00:22A brief tornado caused no damage. F1NE of Leola to NW of BarnardMcPherson, BrownSD00:32–00:43A barn was destroyed, a farmhouse was damaged, and many trees were downed in McPherson County. No damage was recorded in Brown County. F0NW of BarnardBrownSD00:43–00:45This tornado touched down as the previous tornado dissipated. No damage was reported. F3W of Barnard to SE of BarnardBrownSD00:53–01:23Two farmhouses sustained extensive damage, one of which lost its garage and most of its roof. Several farm buildings and equipment were heavily damaged, and a pickup truck was tossed into a grove of trees, totaling it. High-tension power lines and a support tower were downed, and numerous trees were downed, some of which were snapped off just above the base and/or debarked. F0N of BismarckBurleighND00:55A brief tornado over open country caused no damage. F4SE of Barnard to NE of BarnardBrownSD01:24–01:55This violent tornado demolished two unoccupied homes and several outbuildings, damaged a farmhouse and several more outbuildings, and heavily damaged or destroyed farm equipment. Many trees were downed. F0E of BarnardBrownSD01:30–01:32This brief satellite tornado of the F4 tornado caused no damage. F1SW of VelvaWard, McHenryND01:34–01:54Several homes had shingles blown off, and several trees were uprooted.

See also Weather of 2002 List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2000–2009) 2003 South Dakota tornado outbreak – Tornado outbreak that affected similar areas one year later

Notes

References

External links Brown County supercell research