Alert archive / North Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 50, NWS Bismarck, ND
NWS Bismarck, ND issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 7, 2026, 10:12 PM CDT for McHenry County, McLean County, Ward County, North Dakota. It was in force for 63 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
- Jun 7, 2026, 10:12 PM CDT (03:12 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 7, 2026, 11:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 63 min
- Issued by
- NWS Bismarck, ND
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Damage threat
- Destructive
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 80.0 mph
Counties McHenry County, ND, McLean County, ND, Ward County, ND
The radar
The Minot AFB radar (KMBX), 47 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:15 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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 7, 3:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 11 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Bismarck Municip, ND (KBIS), launched 00:00Z, 3.2 hours before the alert went out and 144 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
- 1642 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -137 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1959 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 17 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -32 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 37 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.9
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 Jun 7, 8:26 PM CDT, 1 hour 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms over much of western and central North Dakota late this afternoon and tonight.
- There is a Marginal Risk (threat level 1 of 5) of severe thunderstorms over portions of western North Dakota Monday night.
- Another round of scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms is possible on Tuesday.
- Above normal temperatures through Tuesday, then trending cooler for the remainder of the week.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 7, 8:26 PM CDT, 1 hour 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 826 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms over much of western and central North Dakota late this afternoon and tonight. - There is a Marginal Risk (threat level 1 of 5) of severe thunderstorms over portions of western North Dakota Monday night. - Another round of scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms is possible on Tuesday. - Above normal temperatures through Tuesday, then trending cooler for the remainder of the week. && .UPDATE... Issued at 826 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026 ** Mesoscale Discussion ** The peak intensity of this severe thunderstorm even is beginning and is expected to be maximized through about 10 pm CDT/9 pm MDT. A severe-storm risk will linger thereafter, but the peak of the event is expected in the next two hours. As of 01z, multiple linear convective segments are evolving in western ND, with one prominent and developing bowing segment in southwest ND from near Belfield to Mott, Hettinger, and south to near Bison, SD. The environment downstream of this developing bow echo is characterized by moderate to strong bouyancy and sufficient low- and midlevel wind shear to support damaging to destructive winds downstream in southwest and parts of south central ND. WoFS guidance continues to support this corridor as having the highest probability of damaging winds, particularly in parts of Dunn, Stark, Hettinger, Adams, western Sioux, Grant, western Morton, Oliver, and Mercer Counties through 10 pm CDT. The storms in northwestern ND, extending southward into the west end of Lake Sakakawea, have begun to take on a more organized and linear appearance in the last 30 minutes as well. These storms are also in a sufficient CAPE-shear setting to support both large hail and damaging winds. The 00z Bismarck sounding displayed steep lapse rates and large MLCAPE, but week deep-layer shear, as long-forecast by guidance. While middle and upper-level winds are forecast to increase in time, the developing QLCS is apt to outpace the stronger flow aloft by late evening. Once that occurs and the QLCS moves into weaker low- and deep-layer shear, roughly along and east of the Highway 83 corridor, it may become outflow dominant and the magnitude of damaging winds is apt to gradually decrease. WoFS guidance supports this evolution as well, with peak gusts mainly in the 55 to 65 mph range once the storms pass roughly east of the Highway 83 corridor. CJS UPDATE Issued at 616 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026 ** Mesoscale Discussion ** The severe storm risk is rapidly increasing in western North Dakota, including initially the potential for large to very large hail of 1.5 to 2.5 inches in diameter. The potential for damaging to destructive straight-line winds will also increase the next few hours, with the previously-advertised corridor of peak gusts of 85 to 100 mph still in the forecast. As of 23z, supercells have formed along the surface front and wind shift in western ND, notably in southern McKenzie and Golden Valley Counties. These supercells have formed in an environment characterized by strong bouyancy with MLCAPE on the order of 3000 J/kg and effective-layer shear around 50 kt, which is favorable for large to very large hail. Hodographs do display a relatively straight geometry in this area, suggesting cells may continue to undergo splitting and merging in this area. Right-moving supercells are slightly favored over left-moving supercells in this region given modest low-level curvature in the hodographs. Eventually, if sufficient mergers and clustering occurs, the dominant hazard with these initial supercells may also become more damaging-wind-related. Recent WoFS cycles do suggest these supercells may indeed merge and begin propagating downstream toward the west end of Lake Sakakawea in the next few hours, favoring that increase in damaging winds. Low-level convergence along the wind shift further north in western Mountrail and Burke Counties and vicinity appears to be weaker, and visible satellite imagery suggests fewer attempts at deep convective initiation in that part of northwestern North Dakota at this time. Nonetheless, a low to medium probability of a supercell or two forming in northwest ND continues. Upstream supercells in southeastern Montana are in a favorable CAPE-shear setting for continued maintenance, and their motion is expected to continue taking them near the frontal zone and into southwestern North Dakota in the next few hours. We expect that once significant upscale growth begins, and a potential bow echo takes shape from these storms, that they will begin to take a more north-northeast forward motion (following forecast Corfidi vectors) rather than the east-northeast motion that the right- moving supercell motion vectors have favored thus far. As a result, even the supercell in far southeast Carter County, MT, and northwestern Butte County, SD, may become part of a larger bowing complex that moves into southwest and south central ND. WoFS runs continue to signal potential for high-end wind gusts with these expected bowing structures in the coming hours. CJS UPDATE Issued at 409 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026 Quick update for issuance of Severe Thunderstorm Watch number 285 for western and much of central North Dakota. The Storm Prediction Center has opted for a PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) Severe watch due to the likelihood of damaging winds this evening. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 325 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026 Currently, southwest flow aloft ahead of a dynamic upper level trough advancing east into the Rockies. Quasi-stationary/slowly east moving surface trough/frontal boundary stretches from far western South Dakota north-northeast across far western North Dakota this afternoon. Very warm and humid weather across western and central ND, with current afternoon temperatures well into the 80s to lower 90s, along with sfc dewpoint temperatures in the 60s to near 70. This results in mixed layer CAPE of 2-3K J/KG west into north central. Effective/bulk shear remains mainly along to west of the sfc boundary, 35-50kts far west. Elevated echos over central ND at the moment, and not expecting anything from this with a stout low level capping inversion here. Some storms may initiate between 20-22Z across the western Dakotas looking at the latest CAMs/WoFS runs, with some models closer to 23Z. Have not seen anything out of the Black Hills yet, but there have been a few towers and orphan anvils there the past hour. Nothing within the CU field over western ND, but latest mesoanalysis indicates CIN eroding. Anything developing across western ND would be discrete and would pose a threat for very large hail considering the lapse rates we've sampled via the BIS 18Z sounding. Will be monitoring this area closely. A bigger threat for severe winds will materialize as convection developing over the higher terrain of the Big Horns and southeastern Montana push northeast and congeals into a linear line/bow echo. Last several WoFS runs are indicating a damaging wind swath from southwest North Dakota northeast into north central areas of North Dakota, including Beach and Bowman, northeast through Dickinson, Killdeer, Hazen, Garrison, and possibly Minot. Winds of 85-100 mph will be possible in this swath. Latest SPC Day 1 did upgrade this area to a Moderate Risk (level 4 of 5) with elevated likelihood of occurrence, with much of the remaining area outside of the James Valley still in the Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) area. Storms will end west to east tonight behind the FROPA, with winds becoming more west/northwest and clouds diminishing. Cooler and less humid for Monday behind the front. WAA and southwest flow aloft increases Monday night into Tuesday, as a subtle mid level S/WV ridge moves across the area ahead of another mid level trough. Marginal (threat level 1 of 5) Risk for severe storms over western North Dakota Monday night as lead energy ejects out of the trough and low level moisture increases again, followed by another Slight/Enhanced Risk (2/3 of 5) for much of the area on Tuesday as the aforementioned trough pushes into the Northern Plains and drives another frontal boundary east across the region. Afterwards, we will remain in an active pattern with the general flow dominated by upper level lows or troughing. This will maintain daily chances for showers and thunderstorms, along with temperatures trending cooler and closer to early/mid June highs and lows (highs mid 60s to mid 70s...lows 45-55). && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 646 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026 Thunderstorms have initiated between KXWA and KDIK and will continue to expand into a strong line that will sweep east across the state overnight. The main aviation challenge is timing the arrival/departure of this line of thunderstorms. KXWA and KDIK will likely have thunderstorms within the 10 mile vicinity within an hour (00Z-01Z). Arrival at KMOT is most likely around 02Z-03Z. KBIS may be more around 03-04Z for arrival. Timing is a little more challenging for KJMS but arrival will likely be after 05Z. Strong wind gusts over 40 to 45 kts is expected and can not rule out a few severe wind gusts over 50 kts within the strongest line segments. The wind will turn from southerly ahead of the storms to west northwesterly behind the thunderstorm gust front. We will also have to watch for lower ceilings within the heavy rain, and also towards morning across our southeastern counties. IFR ceilings are expected at KJMS around dawn and could persist for several hours before scattering out. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && UPDATE...CJS DISCUSSION...NH AVIATION...JW
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 7, 2:30 PM CDT, 7 hours 42 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Bismarck ND 230 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026 NDZ001>005-009-010-012-013-017>020-022-023-025-031>033-035>037- 040>044-046>048-050-051-055>062-081930- Divide-Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Rolette-Williams-Mountrail- McHenry-Pierce-McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-Oliver-Sheridan-Wells-Foster- Golden Valley-Billings-Stark-Burleigh-Kidder-Stutsman-Slope- Hettinger-Grant-Bowman-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- 230 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026 /130 PM MDT Sun Jun 7 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...This Afternoon and Tonight Scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms are possible across western and central North Dakota late this afternoon and this evening. The main hazards will be 2 inch hail and damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph. There is a localized threat for peak gusts in excess of 85 mph across portions of southwest and west central North Dakota. A tornado or two is also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Isolated strong to severe storms are possible Monday night into early Tuesday. The main hazard is expected to be large hail. Scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms are possible across western and central North Dakota again on Tuesday. The main hazards will be 2 inch hail and damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph. A tornado is also possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters will likely be needed over the next few days. NH
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jun 7, 9:52 PM CDT, 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
952 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0937 PM Tornado 10 S Berthold 48.17N 101.74W
06/07/2026 Ward ND Trained Spotter
Estimated location of tornado. A white rope
tornado came down and was on the ground for
about 3 minutes, kicking up dust.
&&Local storm report, Jun 7, 9:53 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
953 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0949 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 NNW Emmet 47.71N 101.68W
06/07/2026 M93 MPH McLean ND Mesonet
93MPH measured gust at 10M at NDAWN, 13NW
Garrison.
&&
CSDLocal storm report, Jun 7, 9:54 PM CDT, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
954 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0840 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Hebron 46.90N 102.05W
06/07/2026 Morton ND Trained Spotter
Trained weather spotter reported wind damage
in the city of Hebron. Power out in the city
of Hebron. Numerous branches and trees down,
with lots of debris around town. Timing
estimated on radar. Estimated winds at 80 to
100 mph at the peak of the storm.
&&
NJHLocal storm report, Jun 7, 9:57 PM CDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
957 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0950 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 NNW Emmet 47.71N 101.68W
06/07/2026 M98 MPH McLean ND Mesonet
98MPH gust at 10M, NDAWN 13NW Garrison.
&&
CSDLocal storm report, Jun 7, 10:00 PM CDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
1000 PM CDT Sun Jun 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0952 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NNW Max 47.87N 101.31W
06/07/2026 M86 MPH Ward ND Mesonet
86MPH 10M measured at NDAWN 3 N Max.
&&
CSDLocal storm report, Jun 7, 10:11 PM CDT, 1 minute before
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</html>The office that day
Everything else NWS Bismarck, ND issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 7, 7:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | McKenzie | 58 min |
| Jun 7, 7:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Adams, Bowman, Slope | 48 min |
| Jun 7, 7:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Billings, Dunn, McKenzie, Stark | 59 min |
| Jun 7, 7:22 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Billings, Golden Valley, McKenzie | 53 min |
| Jun 7, 7:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Billings, Bowman, Golden Valley, Slope | 65 min |
| Jun 7, 7:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Burke, Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail, Williams | 65 min |
| Jun 7, 7:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Adams, Bowman, Hettinger, Slope, Stark | 67 min |
| Jun 7, 7:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Divide | 64 min |
| Jun 7, 8:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Dunn, McLean, Mercer, Mountrail | 58 min |
| Jun 7, 8:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Billings, Dunn, Golden Valley, McKenzie, Slope, Stark | 52 min |
| Jun 7, 8:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Adams, Grant, Hettinger, Sioux | 33 min |
| Jun 7, 8:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Burke, Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail, Ward, Williams | 56 min |
| Jun 7, 8:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Dunn, Grant, Hettinger, Mercer, Morton, Oliver and 1 more | 54 min |
| Jun 7, 8:33 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Dunn, Hettinger, Mercer, Morton, Stark | 42 min |
| Jun 7, 8:39 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BIS | Divide | 22 min |
| Jun 7, 8:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Adams, Grant, Hettinger, Morton, Sioux | 64 min |
| Jun 7, 8:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Billings, Dunn, McKenzie | 39 min |
| Jun 7, 9:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Bottineau, Burke, Dunn, McLean, Mercer, Mountrail and 2 more | 60 min |
| Jun 7, 9:03 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BIS | Burke, Renville | 27 min |
| Jun 7, 9:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Grant, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver | 33 min |
| Jun 7, 9:17 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Burke, Divide, Dunn, McKenzie, Mountrail, Williams | 58 min |
| Jun 7, 9:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | McHenry, McLean, Mercer, Ward | 47 min |
| Jun 7, 9:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer and 3 more | 82 min |
| Jun 7, 9:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Bottineau, McHenry, Renville, Ward | 53 min |
| Jun 7, 10:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Burleigh, Kidder, McHenry, McLean, Mercer, Oliver and 1 more | 43 min |
| Jun 7, 10:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Bottineau, McHenry, McLean, Pierce, Rolette, Sheridan and 1 more | 77 min |
| Jun 8, 12:11 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Burleigh, Emmons, Sioux | 49 min |
| Jun 8, 12:35 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Emmons | 25 min |
| Jun 8, 12:48 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Burleigh, Emmons, Kidder, Logan | 57 min |
| Jun 8, 1:08 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Emmons, Logan, McIntosh | 42 min |
| Jun 8, 1:23 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Logan, McIntosh | 52 min |
| Jun 8, 1:47 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Stutsman | 43 min |
| Jun 8, 1:55 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Dickey, LaMoure | 35 min |
| Jun 8, 2:31 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Dickey, LaMoure | 29 min |
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.