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Enderlin EF-5 Tornado! Meteorologists React To The Rare Upgrade | S2 E7 | HailChatter | HailTrace
An EF-3 tornado in Enderlin, North Dakota was upgraded to EF-5—108 days after the event. That’s rare.
In this episode, meteorologists break down why the rating changed, the damage indicators that mattered (rail cars, a swept-clean foundation), and how radar signatures and storm interactions created a brief “perfect window” for violent intensity.
HailChatter hosts Meteorologist Taylor Cox and Collin Hunt are joined by the HailTrace team—Heather Kay, Mikayla Smith, Joey Kragness, COO Ben Baranowski, and CEO Derik Kline—to unpack the June 20th, 2025 Enderlin tornado, the “nudger” idea, nocturnal jet impacts, and the limits of the EF scale when ratings depend on what a tornado hits.
We also discuss the math and modeling behind moving 30 - 50 ton grain cars and flinging an empty tanker up to 450+ feet, plus what this upgrade could mean for future tornado classifications.
#HailTrace #HailChatter #EnderlinTornado #EF5
ABOUT HAILCHATTER
Welcome to HailChatter, the HailTrace podcast that helps those in the restoration industry understand weather and its impact on their work. HailChatter is hosted by HailTrace's Taylor Cox, Digital Meteorologist with 5 years of experience in Plains weather, and Collin Hunt, Product Evangelist with 7 years experience in product messaging. Tune in every other Tuesday as they break down storms, uncover opportunities, and help the restoration industry weather every season.
ABOUT HAILTRACE
HailTrace is a weather technology company that simplifies storm data, empowering the restoration industry to respond instantly with reliable information. They do this through meteorologist-created storm maps, detailed weather reports, and sales tools that help teams reach the right neighborhoods first and confidently sell there.
WANT MORE WEATHER?! Subscribe for more! X: https://twitter.com/HailTrace
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hailtrace
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hailtrace
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HailTrace/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HailTrace
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Why was the Enderlin Tornado upgraded from an EF-3 to an EF-5 tornado?
3:13 - What did radar show as the Enderlin tornado formed and strengthened?
8:51 - What is the “nudger” and how can storm mergers supercharge a tornado?
14:01 - How does a brief “perfect window” create violent intensity—and why is it rare?
18:08 - Can a nocturnal jet really fuel a midnight EF-5?
19:14 - Why does the EF scale depend on what a tornado hits, not just how it looks on radar?
30:01 - After the Enderlin Tornado, should we expect more post-event rating upgrades?
38:24 - What physics explain tossing 30 - 50 ton grain cars and a tanker up to 450+ feet?
Enderlin EF-5 Tornado…Meteorologists React To The Rare Upgrade | S2 E7 | HailChatter | HailTrace
View all episodes
By HailTraceAn EF-3 tornado in Enderlin, North Dakota was upgraded to EF-5—108 days after the event. That’s rare.
In this episode, meteorologists break down why the rating changed, the damage indicators that mattered (rail cars, a swept-clean foundation), and how radar signatures and storm interactions created a brief “perfect window” for violent intensity.
HailChatter hosts Meteorologist Taylor Cox and Collin Hunt are joined by the HailTrace team—Heather Kay, Mikayla Smith, Joey Kragness, COO Ben Baranowski, and CEO Derik Kline—to unpack the June 20th, 2025 Enderlin tornado, the “nudger” idea, nocturnal jet impacts, and the limits of the EF scale when ratings depend on what a tornado hits.
We also discuss the math and modeling behind moving 30 - 50 ton grain cars and flinging an empty tanker up to 450+ feet, plus what this upgrade could mean for future tornado classifications.
#HailTrace #HailChatter #EnderlinTornado #EF5
ABOUT HAILCHATTER
Welcome to HailChatter, the HailTrace podcast that helps those in the restoration industry understand weather and its impact on their work. HailChatter is hosted by HailTrace's Taylor Cox, Digital Meteorologist with 5 years of experience in Plains weather, and Collin Hunt, Product Evangelist with 7 years experience in product messaging. Tune in every other Tuesday as they break down storms, uncover opportunities, and help the restoration industry weather every season.
ABOUT HAILTRACE
HailTrace is a weather technology company that simplifies storm data, empowering the restoration industry to respond instantly with reliable information. They do this through meteorologist-created storm maps, detailed weather reports, and sales tools that help teams reach the right neighborhoods first and confidently sell there.
WANT MORE WEATHER?! Subscribe for more! X: https://twitter.com/HailTrace
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hailtrace
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hailtrace
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HailTrace/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HailTrace
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Why was the Enderlin Tornado upgraded from an EF-3 to an EF-5 tornado?
3:13 - What did radar show as the Enderlin tornado formed and strengthened?
8:51 - What is the “nudger” and how can storm mergers supercharge a tornado?
14:01 - How does a brief “perfect window” create violent intensity—and why is it rare?
18:08 - Can a nocturnal jet really fuel a midnight EF-5?
19:14 - Why does the EF scale depend on what a tornado hits, not just how it looks on radar?
30:01 - After the Enderlin Tornado, should we expect more post-event rating upgrades?
38:24 - What physics explain tossing 30 - 50 ton grain cars and a tanker up to 450+ feet?
Enderlin EF-5 Tornado…Meteorologists React To The Rare Upgrade | S2 E7 | HailChatter | HailTrace