Alert archive / North Dakota / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 72, NWS Bismarck, ND

June 9, 2026Bottineau County, McHenry County, North Dakota

NWS Bismarck, ND issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 9, 2026, 7:34 PM CDT for Bottineau County, McHenry County, North Dakota. It was in force for 56 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 9, 2026, 7:34 PM CDT (00:34 UTC)
Expired: Jun 9, 2026, 8:30 PM CDT
In force: 56 min
Issued by: NWS Bismarck, ND
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Damage threat: Considerable
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 70.0 mph

Counties Bottineau County, ND, McHenry County, ND

The radar

The Minot AFB radar (KMBX), 17 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:33 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 9, 4:32 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Bismarck Municip, ND (KBIS), launched 00:00Z, 0.6 hours before the alert went out and 194 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.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 2222 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -71 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 2041 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 257 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 329 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 11.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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 9, 6:56 PM CDT, 38 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Numerous severe thunderstorms are expected this evening. Potential exists for significant hazards, including hail up to tennis ball size, damaging winds up to 80 mph, and a few tornadoes, one or two of which could be strong.
Warm, humid, and windy today. Then cooler with near-daily shower and thunderstorm chances through the rest of this week and into early next week.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 9, 6:56 PM CDT, 38 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
656 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Numerous severe thunderstorms are expected this evening.
  Potential exists for significant hazards, including hail up to
  tennis ball size, damaging winds up to 80 mph, and a few
  tornadoes, one or two of which could be strong.

- Warm, humid, and windy today. Then cooler with near-daily
  shower and thunderstorm chances through the rest of this week
  and into early next week.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 648 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

Severe risk remains elevated over northwest and central North
Dakota, where Tornado Watch continues. Did end up trimming off a
few counties in the southwest (Stark southward) where boundary
has passed into and temperature/dewpoint continue to drop off.
In the area still under the watch, very strong instability
remains in place, particularly over north central North Dakota
dipping a bit into south central where CAPE values of around
3000-4000 J/Kg are noted.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 237 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

Numerous severe thunderstorms remain the expectation for this
afternoon and evening with all threats on the table.

Currently, elongated low pressure is analyzed over the western
Dakotas. Potent shortwave energy is in the process of lifting up
through the Northern Plains, while previously stationary
surface frontal boundary has lifted northward into Canada as a
warm frontal boundary. This warm frontal boundary has advected
very warm and moist air into the state. North to south
orientated cold frontal boundary off said low will rapidly slide
west to east across the state this afternoon and evening. This
will force widespread thunderstorm activity with numerous severe
thunderstorms likely.

One of the biggest questions remains in regard to storm mode. With
the cold fropa, normally a more linear mode would be favored.
However, with 0 to 6 km bulk shear favoring a 45 degree angle in
relation to the front, it seems a more clustered mode is
likely. What may wind up happening in the end is a line of
embedded supercells develops. Especially as it heads east
towards an even more favored severe weather environment.
Therefore, the current thinking is that discrete cells may
develop in western North Dakota by mid-afternoon. These will
likely transition into some form of line with the question being
whether it's a more traditional QLCS, or a line of embedded
supercells. Should the latter wind up being the case, then a
tornado and large hail threat would persist longer than
otherwise would be anticipated. Besides storm mode, curved
hodographs are highly favorable towards tornado genesis for any
discrete cells and within any QLCS. As such, believe the SPC
hatched 10 percent tornado outlook is reasonable, though the
highest SigTOR parameter highlights northern ND during the
middle of the afternoon and eastern, especially northeastern, ND
late this afternoon and evening.

Once the main line passes through, isolated to scattered showers
and a few sub-severe thunderstorms are possible through
Wednesday morning. After which, mostly dry conditions are
expected during the afternoon and evening. Additional showers
and thunderstorms are then possible from west to east late
Wednesday night through Thursday as another shortwave off upper
Canadian low passes through. These thunderstorms are expected to
remain sub-severe at this time. A few occasional showers and
thunderstorms are then periodically possible through the
remainder of the week.

Much cooler temperatures are expected beyond today through the
remainder of the week with highs mostly in the 60s and 70s.
Simultaneously, lows will also be in the 40s for most locations,
most nights beyond tonight. Breezy to windy conditions are also
on tap for most days to finish out the week.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 648 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

Widespread severe thunderstorms this evening primarily over
northwest North Dakota into central North Dakota and the James
RIver Valley. Heavy rain will reduce visibility to IFR
conditions or lower, while MFVR/IFR ceilings are possibly with
any showers and thunderstorms. Very gusty and erratic winds,
hail, and a few tornadoes are possible with these storms. Used
PROB30s and TEMPOs as needed based on the highest confidence of
severe weather timing.

&&

.BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

UPDATE...JJS
DISCUSSION...Telken
AVIATION...JJS

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 9, 6:46 PM CDT, 48 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
646 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

NDZ001>005-009-010-012-013-017>020-022-023-025-035>037-042-
046>048-050-051-055>062-110000-
Divide-Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Rolette-Williams-Mountrail-
McHenry-Pierce-McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-Oliver-Sheridan-Wells-Foster-
Burleigh-Kidder-Stutsman-Grant-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-
646 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026 /546 PM MDT Tue Jun 9 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...Tonight

Numerous severe thunderstorms are expected this evening. Expected
hazards include hail up to tennis ball size, damaging winds up to
80 mph, and a few tornadoes, one or two of which could be strong.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

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.

NDZ031>033-040-041-043-044-110000-
Golden Valley-Billings-Stark-Slope-Hettinger-Bowman-Adams-
546 PM MDT Tue Jun 9 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest North
Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

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.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 9, 6:52 PM CDT, 42 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
652 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0636 PM     Hail             Fortuna                 48.91N 103.78W
06/09/2026  M1.75 Inch       Divide             ND   Trained Spotter

            Mostly smaller hail, but a few as large as
            golf balls.

&&

Telken

Local storm report, Jun 9, 6:59 PM CDT, 35 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
659 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0649 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     8 SSW Sawyer            47.98N 101.09W
06/09/2026  M72 MPH          Ward               ND   Mesonet

            72MPH 10m gust measured at 7S Sawyer NDAWN.

&&

CSD

Local storm report, Jun 9, 7:10 PM CDT, 24 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
710 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0640 PM     Hail             Fortuna                 48.91N 103.78W
06/09/2026  M3.00 Inch       Divide             ND   Emergency Mngr

            Emergency manger reported 3 inch hail 6:40PM
            in Fortuna.

&&

Johnson

Local storm report, Jun 9, 7:12 PM CDT, 22 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
712 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0648 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 S Minot               48.18N 101.31W
06/09/2026  M60 MPH          Ward               ND   Mesonet

            60MPH at 10M 4S Minot NDAWN.

&&

CSD

Local storm report, Jun 9, 7:23 PM CDT, 11 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
723 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0701 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 NNE Sawyer            48.15N 100.99W
06/09/2026  M59 MPH          McHenry            ND   Mesonet

            59MPH gust recorded at 3M at 3S Genoa NDAWN.

&&

CSD

Local storm report, Jun 9, 7:25 PM CDT, 9 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
725 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0719 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     8 NW Denbigh            48.40N 100.70W
06/09/2026  M68 MPH          McHenry            ND   Mesonet

            68MPH gust reported from 3SW Bantry NDAWN at
            10m.

&&

CSD

The office that day

Everything else NWS Bismarck, ND issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jun 9, 7:03 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BIS	Burke, Divide	42 min
Jun 9, 7:28 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Morton, Sioux	32 min
Jun 9, 7:30 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Mountrail	60 min
Jun 9, 7:42 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BIS	Burke	38 min
Jun 9, 8:12 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Burke	39 min
Jun 9, 8:29 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Emmons, Sioux	45 min
Jun 9, 8:30 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	BIS	Rolette	60 min
Jun 9, 8:53 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Burleigh, Kidder, Sheridan, Stutsman, Wells	67 min
Jun 9, 9:02 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Sheridan, Wells	58 min
Jun 9, 9:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Foster, Wells	63 min
Jun 9, 9:57 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Foster, Stutsman, Wells	56 min
Jun 9, 11:41 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Dickey, LaMoure, Stutsman	64 min
Jun 9, 11:53 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	BIS	Foster, Stutsman	37 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Dakota, 2026 Every 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.