Alert archive / North Dakota / Red Flag Warnings in 2026
Red Flag Warning 13, NWS Bismarck, ND
NWS Bismarck, ND issued this red flag warning at May 27, 2026, 10:37 AM MDT for 7 counties in North Dakota. It took effect at May 28, 2026, 10:00 AM MDT. It was in force for 11 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- May 27, 2026, 10:37 AM MDT (16:37 UTC)
- In effect from
- May 28, 2026, 10:00 AM MDT
- Expired
- May 28, 2026, 9:00 PM MDT
- In force
- 11 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Bismarck, ND
Counties Billings County, ND, Bowman County, ND, Divide County, ND, Golden Valley County, ND, McKenzie County, ND, Slope County, ND, Williams County, ND
The radar
The Bismarck radar (KBIS), 218 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:37 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Glasgow Intl Airport, MT (KGGW), launched 12:00Z, 4.6 hours before the alert went out and 251 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2878 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 29 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 192 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 134 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
162 WWUS83 KBIS 271637 RFWBIS URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Bismarck ND 1137 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA THURSDAY... .Critical fire weather conditions are expected over far western North Dakota Thursday afternoon and evening. Afternoon temperatures will climb into the lower to mid 90s, while humidity values drop as low as 15 percent. This will combine with south winds around 25 mph gusting to 45 mph to result in critical fire weather conditions. Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control. NDZ001-009-017-031-032-040-043-280445- /O.NEW.KBIS.FW.W.0013.260528T1600Z-260529T0300Z/ /O.CON.KBIS.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260528T0300Z/ Divide-Williams-McKenzie-Golden Valley-Billings-Slope-Bowman- 1137 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 /1037 AM MDT Wed May 27 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM CDT /10 AM MDT/ TO 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ THURSDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA... The National Weather Service in Bismarck has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM CDT /10 AM MDT/ to 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ Thursday. * WINDS...South 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent. * AFFECTED AREA...Far western North Dakota. * IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control or suppress. * AFFECTED AREA...Far western North Dakota. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$
5 follow-up statements
014 WWUS83 KBIS 280258 RFWBIS URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Bismarck ND 958 PM CDT Wed May 27 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA ON THURSDAY... .Critical fire weather conditions will return to far western North Dakota Thursday afternoon and evening. High temperatures will climb into the lower to mid 90s, causing humidity to fall as low as 15 percent. South-southeast winds will once again increase to around 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. The combination of low humidity and winds will create critical fire weather conditions. Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control. NDZ001-009-017-031-032-040-043-281500- /O.EXP.KBIS.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260528T0300Z/ /O.CON.KBIS.FW.W.0013.260528T1600Z-260529T0300Z/ Divide-Williams-McKenzie-Golden Valley-Billings-Slope-Bowman- 958 PM CDT Wed May 27 2026 /858 PM MDT Wed May 27 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM CDT /10 AM MDT/ TO 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ THURSDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA... ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA... * WINDS...South-southeast around 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent. * AFFECTED AREA...Far western North Dakota. * IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control or suppress. * AFFECTED AREA...Far western North Dakota. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ Hollan
412 WWUS83 KBIS 280735 RFWBIS URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Bismarck ND 235 AM CDT Thu May 28 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA TODAY INTO THIS EVENING... .Critical fire weather conditions are expected over far western North Dakota today into this evening. Afternoon temperatures will climb into the upper 80s to mid 90s, while humidity values drop as low as 15 percent. This will combine with south to southeast winds around 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph to result in critical fire weather conditions. Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control. NDZ001-009-017-031-032-040-043-290300- /O.CON.KBIS.FW.W.0013.260528T1600Z-260529T0300Z/ Divide-Williams-McKenzie-Golden Valley-Billings-Slope-Bowman- 235 AM CDT Thu May 28 2026 /135 AM MDT Thu May 28 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM CDT /10 AM MDT/ THIS MORNING TO 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA... * WINDS...South-southeast around 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent. * AFFECTED AREA...Far western North Dakota. * IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control or suppress. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$
906 WWUS83 KBIS 280748 RFWBIS URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Bismarck ND 248 AM CDT Thu May 28 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA TODAY INTO THIS EVENING... .Critical fire weather conditions are expected over far western North Dakota today into this evening. Afternoon temperatures will climb into the upper 80s to mid 90s, while humidity values drop as low as 15 percent. This will combine with south to southeast winds around 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph to result in critical fire weather conditions. Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control. NDZ001-009-017-031-032-040-043-282000- /O.CON.KBIS.FW.W.0013.260528T1600Z-260529T0300Z/ Divide-Williams-McKenzie-Golden Valley-Billings-Slope-Bowman- 248 AM CDT Thu May 28 2026 /148 AM MDT Thu May 28 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM CDT /10 AM MDT/ THIS MORNING TO 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA... * WINDS...South-southeast around 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent. * AFFECTED AREA...Far western North Dakota. * IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control or suppress. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$
205 WWUS83 KBIS 281646 RFWBIS URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Bismarck ND 1146 AM CDT Thu May 28 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA TODAY INTO THIS EVENING... .Critical fire weather conditions are expected over far western North Dakota today into this evening. Afternoon temperatures will climb into the upper 80s to mid 90s, while humidity values drop as low as 15 percent. This will combine with south to southeast winds around 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph to result in critical fire weather conditions. Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control. NDZ001-009-017-031-032-040-043-290300- /O.CON.KBIS.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260529T0300Z/ Divide-Williams-McKenzie-Golden Valley-Billings-Slope-Bowman- 1146 AM CDT Thu May 28 2026 /1046 AM MDT Thu May 28 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA... * WINDS...South to southeast around 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent. * AFFECTED AREA...Far western North Dakota. * IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control or suppress. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$
534 WWUS83 KBIS 290303 RFWBIS URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Bismarck ND 1003 PM CDT Thu May 28 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED... .The threat for critical fire weather conditions has ended. Near- critical fire weather conditions could return Friday afternoon and evening. NDZ001-009-017-031-032-040-043-290415- /O.EXP.KBIS.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260529T0300Z/ Divide-Williams-McKenzie-Golden Valley-Billings-Slope-Bowman- 1003 PM CDT Thu May 28 2026 /903 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026/ ...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FAR WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA... The threat for critical fire weather conditions has ended. Near- critical fire weather conditions could return Friday afternoon and evening. $$ Hollan
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Bismarck, ND wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at May 27, 8:45 AM MDT, 1 hour 52 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- High temperatures forecast to be about 20 degrees above average through Friday (Highs in the 90s).
- With the exception of some lingering showers/storms over the east this morning, mainly dry conditions expected through Friday. Low to medium precipitation chances this weekend.
- Critical fire weather conditions over far western North Dakota today, and will possibly return again Thursday and Friday.
Area forecast discussion, May 27, 8:45 AM MDT, 1 hour 52 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 945 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - High temperatures forecast to be about 20 degrees above average through Friday (Highs in the 90s). - With the exception of some lingering showers/storms over the east this morning, mainly dry conditions expected through Friday. Low to medium precipitation chances this weekend. - Critical fire weather conditions over far western North Dakota today, and will possibly return again Thursday and Friday. && .UPDATE... Issued at 945 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 The line of showers and thunderstorms in the north central have been slowly dying and moving to the east. More scattered rain showers have developed in the central and southeast. The forecast has been updated to reflect these radar trends. UPDATE Issued at 645 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 Minimal changes needed for morning update as only active weather ongoing is a few showers/weak thunderstorms over north central North Dakota. Still expect these to gradually dissipate as the morning goes on. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 359 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 Current surface analysis places low to the lee of the Northern Rockies, with high over northeast Manitoba. Upper level analysis places lows over the Sierra, and over Quebec into Ontario, while we sit in the middle with blocked ridge over our region. With that said, a modest low level jet over eastern into north central North Dakota is resulting in some persistant weak slow moving convection right along a corridor of instability generally from Valley City to Rugby to Bottineau. Shear over this area remains weak, so storms have just weakly pulsed up and down through the night. For today, a few of the aforementioned light showers and storms may linger for a few hours this morning before dissipating. Otherwise, a hot day is on tap over the area under the persistant thermal ridge, with high temperatures again in the 90s over most locations, generally about 20 degrees above average. Southeasterly winds will again be on the increase, especially over the west. This will again combine with humidity values dipping as low as 15 percent to bring critical fire weather conditions to far western North Dakota, therefore the Red Flag Warning for that area remains in place for today into this evening. Persistant blocked pattern remains in place through Friday with dry conditions, gusty south-southeasterly winds (especially west) and well above average temperatures. Critical fire weather concerns continue over our far west for Thursday, and possibly Friday. As we get into the weekend perpetual upper ridge finally pushes east a bit as aforementioned low over the Sierra finally makes its way east into the Rockies, with south/southwest flow over our area. This will result in a modest cooling trend, with highs in the 80s over the area by Sunday. In addition, low to medium chances for showers and thunderstorms spread over the area Saturday into Sunday. As we get into next week clusters indicate a split in solutions, but with that said the opportunity for additional precipitation remains each day to start the next work week. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 645 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 Isolated showers and thunderstorms over parts of north central North Dakota will gradually dissipate this morning. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected. Southeast winds will be on the increase today, strongest over western North Dakota. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning until 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ this evening for NDZ001-009-017-031-032-040-043. && UPDATE...Smith DISCUSSION...JJS AVIATION...JJS
Hazardous weather outlook, May 27, 8:41 AM MDT, 1 hour 56 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Bismarck ND 941 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 NDZ001-009-017-031-032-040-043-281445- Divide-Williams-McKenzie-Golden Valley-Billings-Slope-Bowman- 941 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 /841 AM MDT Wed May 27 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest North Dakota and southwest North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A Red Flag Warning is in effect today into this evening. See www.weather.gov/bis for details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Near-critical to critical fire weather conditions are possible during the afternoon and evening hours Thursday and Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard procedures, including through our social media accounts. NDZ002>004-010-012-013-018>020-022-023-025-033-035>037-041-042- 044-046>048-050-051-055>062-281445- Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Mountrail-McHenry-Pierce-Dunn-Mercer- Oliver-Sheridan-Wells-Foster-Stark-Burleigh-Kidder-Stutsman- Hettinger-Grant-Adams-Emmons-Logan-La Moure-McIntosh-Dickey- Northwest Ward-Central and Southern Ward/Minot Area- Western McLean-Eastern McLean-Western Morton-Eastern Morton- Western Sioux-Eastern Sioux- 941 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 /841 AM MDT Wed May 27 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central North Dakota, northwest North Dakota, south central North Dakota, southeast North Dakota, and southwest North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Low humidity values will combine with gusty southeasterly winds to result in near critical fire weather conditions today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Near-critical fire weather conditions are possible during the afternoon and evening hours Thursday through Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard procedures, including through our social media accounts. NDZ005-281445- Rolette- 941 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Isolated thunderstorms are possible this morning. Severe weather is not expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Near-critical fire weather conditions are possible during the afternoon and evening hours Thursday and Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard procedures, including through our social media accounts.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 27, 5:08 AM MDT, 5 hours 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Bismarck ND 608 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 NDZ004-271130- Bottineau ND- 608 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN BOTTINEAU COUNTY THROUGH 630 AM CDT... At 607 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14 miles north of Bottineau, moving southeast at 5 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include... Pelican Point State Recreation Area and Lake Metigoshe State Park. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. If on or near Lake Metigoshe, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm. && LAT...LON 4892 10032 4900 10048 4900 10023 TIME...MOT...LOC 1107Z 298DEG 5KT 4903 10039 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH SCHILD
Special weather statement, May 27, 7:12 AM MDT, 3 hours 25 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
812 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
NDZ004-271345-
Bottineau ND-
812 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN BOTTINEAU COUNTY
THROUGH 845 AM CDT...
At 811 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms 10 miles north of Bottineau, moving northeast at 15
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Pelican Point State Recreation Area, Carbury, and Lake Metigoshe
State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4886 10050 4895 10066 4900 10060 4900 10020
TIME...MOT...LOC 1311Z 223DEG 12KT 4897 10047
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HAMILTONThe office that day
Everything else NWS Bismarck, ND issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 5:08 AM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Bottineau | 22 min |
| May 27, 7:12 AM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Bottineau | 33 min |
Nearby
Red Flag Warnings in North Dakota, 2026Every red flag warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.