Alert archive / North Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 324, NWS Bismarck, ND
NWS Bismarck, ND issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Sep 3, 2026, 5:28 AM CDT for McHenry County, Ward County, North Dakota. It was in force for 62 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Sep 3, 2026, 5:28 AM CDT (10:28 UTC)
- Expired
- Sep 3, 2026, 6:30 AM CDT
- In force
- 62 min
- Issued by
- NWS Bismarck, ND
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.5 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties McHenry County, ND, Ward County, ND
The radar
The Minot AFB radar (KMBX), 25 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:30 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
Bismarck Municip, ND (KBIS), launched 00:00Z, 10.5 hours before the alert went out and 165 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
- 682 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -137 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1690 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 36 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 74 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 209 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 1.5
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Sep 3, 1:52 AM CDT, 3 hours 36 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 3, 1:52 AM CDT, 3 hours 36 minutes before
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</html>Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 3, 5:20 AM CDT, 8 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Bismarck ND 520 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026 NDZ040-043-041030- Slope-Bowman- 420 AM MDT Thu Sep 3 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday A Fire Weather Watch is in effect on Friday. See www.weather.gov/bis for additional information. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard procedures, including through our social media accounts. NDZ017-018-031>033-041-044-041030- McKenzie-Dunn-Golden Valley-Billings-Stark-Hettinger-Adams- 520 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026 /420 AM MDT Thu Sep 3 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest North Dakota and southwest North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Near-critical fire weather conditions are possible on Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard procedures, including through our social media accounts. NDZ001-009-010-019-020-035-036-042-046>048-050-051-057>062-041030- Divide-Williams-Mountrail-Mercer-Oliver-Burleigh-Kidder-Grant- Emmons-Logan-La Moure-McIntosh-Dickey-Western McLean- Eastern McLean-Western Morton-Eastern Morton-Western Sioux- Eastern Sioux- 520 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026 /420 AM MDT Thu Sep 3 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest North Dakota, south central North Dakota, and southeast North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible this morning. Widespread severe weather is not expected, but some storms could be strong with hail up to the size of nickels. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard procedures, including through our social media accounts. NDZ002>005-012-013-022-023-025-037-055-056-041030- Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Rolette-McHenry-Pierce-Sheridan-Wells- Foster-Stutsman-Northwest Ward- Central and Southern Ward/Minot Area- 520 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central North Dakota, northwest North Dakota, south central North Dakota, and southeast North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this morning and afternoon. Expected hazards include hail as large as ping pong balls and damaging winds up to 60 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard procedures, including through our social media accounts. Hollan
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Sep 3, 3:19 AM CDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before
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</html>Special weather statement, Sep 3, 3:24 AM CDT, 2 hours 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
324 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026
NDZ001-009-017-030900-
Divide ND-Williams ND-McKenzie ND-
324 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026 /224 AM MDT Thu Sep 3 2026/
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT DIVIDE...WILLIAMS AND
NORTHWESTERN MCKENZIE COUNTIES UNTIL 4 AM CDT /3 AM MDT/...
At 324 AM CDT /224 AM MDT/, a line of strong thunderstorms was
located from near Fortuna to 9 miles northwest of Alexander, or from
20 miles west of Crosby to 19 miles southwest of Williston, moving
east at 25 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 damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Williston, Crosby, Ray, Grenora, Wildrose, Epping, Alamo, Fortuna,
Hanks, Bonetrail, Writing Rock State Historical Site, Alkabo,
Trenton, Wheelock, Hamlet, Ambrose, Appam, Spring Brook, Corinth,
and Zahl.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4788 10400 4842 10393 4900 10393 4900 10313
4864 10289 4862 10289 4789 10323
TIME...MOT...LOC 0823Z 258DEG 20KT 4897 10374 4849 10344 4792 10380
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HollanSpecial weather statement, Sep 3, 4:02 AM CDT, 1 hour 26 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
402 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026
NDZ009-017-030930-
Williams ND-McKenzie ND-
402 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026 /302 AM MDT Thu Sep 3 2026/
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WILLIAMS AND NORTH
CENTRAL MCKENZIE COUNTIES UNTIL 430 AM CDT /330 AM MDT/...
At 402 AM CDT /302 AM MDT/, strong thunderstorms were located over
Williston, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Williston, Ray, Grenora, Wildrose, Epping, Alamo, Bonetrail,
Wheelock, Spring Brook, Lewis And Clark State Park, White Tail Bay
Recreation Area, Appam, Corinth, Tobacco Garden Bay Recreation
Area, Blacktail Lake, Zahl, and Hanks.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4806 10377 4808 10382 4863 10394 4863 10309
4814 10288 4782 10328
TIME...MOT...LOC 0900Z 220DEG 27KT 4819 10358
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HollanSpecial weather statement, Sep 3, 4:05 AM CDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
405 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026
NDZ010-056-057-030930-
Mountrail ND-Central and Southern Ward/Minot Area ND-Western
McLean ND-
405 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL
MCLEAN...SOUTHEASTERN MOUNTRAIL AND SOUTH CENTRAL WARD COUNTIES UNTIL
430 AM CDT...
At 405 AM CDT, strong thunderstorms were located near Makoti, or 27
miles northwest of Garrison, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Parshall, Plaza, Makoti, Ryder, Rice Lake, Douglas, and Fort
Berthold.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4785 10222 4817 10212 4810 10131 4771 10147
4780 10224
TIME...MOT...LOC 0904Z 202DEG 20KT 4792 10185
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HollanSpecial weather statement, Sep 3, 4:33 AM CDT, 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
433 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026
NDZ009-017-031000-
Williams ND-McKenzie ND-
433 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026 /333 AM MDT Thu Sep 3 2026/
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EASTERN WILLIAMS AND
NORTHEASTERN MCKENZIE COUNTIES UNTIL 5 AM CDT /4 AM MDT/...
At 433 AM CDT /333 AM MDT/, a line of strong thunderstorms was
located from 13 miles north of Epping to 13 miles northeast of
Watford City, or from 25 miles northeast of Williston to 13 miles
northeast of Watford City, moving northeast at 25 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 damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Tioga, Ray, Epping, Wheelock, Keene, White Tail Bay Recreation
Area, Tobacco Garden Bay Recreation Area, Lewis And Clark State
Park, Charlson, and Mcgregor.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4804 10333 4820 10338 4850 10350 4863 10289
4837 10289 4837 10283 4793 10283 4790 10328
TIME...MOT...LOC 0932Z 246DEG 19KT 4846 10332 4824 10317 4796 10314
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HollanSpecial weather statement, Sep 3, 4:36 AM CDT, 52 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
436 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026
NDZ056-031015-
Central and Southern Ward/Minot Area ND-
436 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN WARD COUNTY
UNTIL 515 AM CDT...
At 436 AM CDT, strong thunderstorms were located near Rice Lake, or
21 miles north of Garrison, moving northeast at 20 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 damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Makoti, Ryder, Rice Lake, and Douglas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4785 10187 4809 10187 4809 10121 4785 10109
TIME...MOT...LOC 0935Z 239DEG 15KT 4795 10157
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HollanThe office that day
Everything else NWS Bismarck, ND issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 3, 2:01 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | McKenzie | 29 min |
| Sep 3, 2:22 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Dunn | 23 min |
| Sep 3, 2:46 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Divide | 44 min |
| Sep 3, 3:19 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Mountrail | 41 min |
| Sep 3, 3:24 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Divide, Williams | 36 min |
| Sep 3, 4:02 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Williams | 28 min |
| Sep 3, 4:05 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Ward | 25 min |
| Sep 3, 4:14 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BIS | Williams | 3 hr |
| Sep 3, 4:33 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Williams | 27 min |
| Sep 3, 4:36 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Ward | 39 min |
| Sep 3, 4:50 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Ward | 40 min |
| Sep 3, 5:02 AM CDT | Fire Weather Watch | BIS | Bowman, Slope | 8 hr |
| Sep 3, 5:09 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BIS | Ward | 73 min |
| Sep 3, 5:30 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Mountrail | 30 min |
| Sep 3, 6:18 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BIS | McHenry, Ward | 3 hr |
| Sep 3, 6:50 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | McHenry, Ward | 40 min |
| Sep 3, 7:01 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | McHenry | 44 min |
| Sep 3, 7:22 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BIS | McHenry | 3 hr |
| Sep 3, 7:54 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | McHenry | 36 min |
| Sep 3, 8:03 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BIS | Ward | 110 min |
| Sep 3, 8:32 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Pierce | 28 min |
| Sep 3, 8:41 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BIS | Bottineau, McHenry, Pierce, Rolette | 51 min |
| Sep 3, 8:46 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | McHenry | 29 min |
| Sep 3, 9:13 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BIS | Bottineau, McHenry, Pierce, Rolette | 2 hr |
| Sep 3, 9:18 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Sheridan | 27 min |
| Sep 3, 9:26 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | McHenry, Pierce, Sheridan, Wells | 34 min |
| Sep 3, 10:05 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Wells | 25 min |
| Sep 3, 10:47 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Wells | 28 min |
| Sep 3, 1:03 PM CDT | Red Flag Warning | BIS | Bowman, Golden Valley, Slope | 32 hr |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Dakota, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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.