Alert archive / North Dakota / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Bismarck, ND

July 9, 2026Wells County, North Dakota

NWS Bismarck, ND issued this tornado warning at Jul 9, 2026, 7:17 PM CDT for Wells County, North Dakota. It was in force for 43 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Jul 9, 2026, 7:17 PM CDT (00:17 UTC)
Expired: Jul 9, 2026, 8:00 PM CDT
In force: 43 min
Issued by: NWS Bismarck, ND
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Hail: 0.0 in

County Wells County, ND

The radar

The Minot AFB radar (KMBX), 135 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:18 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.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Jul 9, 7:53 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Cathay, ND	Many downed large tree branches in Cathay. Relayed to NWS by ND Watch Center. Time estimated from radar.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Jul 9, 5:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Bismarck Municip, ND (KBIS), launched 00:00Z, 0.3 hours before the alert went out and 138 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: 2759 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -19 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1678 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 108 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 265 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.6
Supercell composite: 13.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

113 
WFUS53 KBIS 100017
TORBIS
NDC103-100100-
/O.NEW.KBIS.TO.W.0013.260710T0017Z-260710T0100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
717 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

The National Weather Service in Bismarck has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Wells County in south central North Dakota...

* Until 800 PM CDT.

* At 717 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Fessenden, or
  19 miles east of Harvey, moving southeast at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  SOURCE...Broadcast media confirmed tornado.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
           to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
           likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Cathay and Emrick.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.

Heavy rainfall is hiding this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. Take cover now!

&&

LAT...LON 4769 9965 4775 9951 4768 9930 4767 9930
      4767 9927 4759 9927 4750 9946
TIME...MOT...LOC 0017Z 324DEG 27KT 4768 9954

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Hollan

4 follow-up statements

262 
WWUS53 KBIS 100028
SVSBIS

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
728 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

NDC103-100100-
/O.CON.KBIS.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260710T0100Z/
Wells ND-
728 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT FOR EAST CENTRAL
WELLS COUNTY...

At 728 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 6 miles northwest of Cathay, or 21 miles northwest of
Carrington, moving southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and tennis ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
         to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
  Cathay and Emrick.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.

Heavy rainfall is hiding this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. Take cover now!

&&

LAT...LON 4765 9961 4772 9943 4768 9930 4767 9930
      4767 9927 4759 9927 4750 9946
TIME...MOT...LOC 0017Z 324DEG 26KT 4769 9955

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.50 IN

$$

Hollan

854 
WWUS53 KBIS 100035
SVSBIS

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
735 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

NDC103-100100-
/O.CON.KBIS.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260710T0100Z/
Wells ND-
735 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT FOR EAST CENTRAL
WELLS COUNTY...

At 735 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Fessenden, or 21 miles southeast of Harvey, moving
southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and tennis ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
         to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
  Cathay and Emrick.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.

Heavy rainfall is hiding this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. Take cover now!

&&

LAT...LON 4765 9961 4772 9943 4768 9930 4767 9930
      4767 9927 4759 9927 4750 9946
TIME...MOT...LOC 0028Z 332DEG 20KT 4765 9958

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.50 IN

$$

Hollan

945 
WWUS53 KBIS 100046
SVSBIS

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
746 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

NDC103-100100-
/O.CON.KBIS.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260710T0100Z/
Wells ND-
746 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT FOR EAST CENTRAL
WELLS COUNTY...

At 746 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Cathay, or 17 miles northwest of Carrington, moving
southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
         to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
  Cathay and Emrick.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.

Heavy rainfall is hiding this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. Take cover now!

&&

LAT...LON 4761 9957 4767 9944 4767 9927 4759 9927
      4750 9946
TIME...MOT...LOC 0035Z 311DEG 20KT 4761 9951

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Hollan

549 
WWUS53 KBIS 100100
SVSBIS

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
800 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

NDC103-100110-
/O.EXP.KBIS.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260710T0100Z/
Wells ND-
800 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...TORNADO WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM CDT FOR EAST CENTRAL WELLS
COUNTY...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning will be
allowed to expire. However, large hail and damaging winds remain
likely and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the
area.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM CDT
Friday for a portion of south central North Dakota.

&&

LAT...LON 4761 9957 4767 9944 4767 9927 4759 9927
      4750 9946
TIME...MOT...LOC 0046Z 311DEG 20KT 4757 9944

$$

Hollan

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 9, 7:02 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	BIS	Sheridan	58 min
Jul 9, 7:13 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	BIS	Foster, Wells	62 min
Jul 9, 7:15 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Emmons	19 min
Jul 9, 7:33 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	BIS	Sheridan, Wells	57 min
Jul 9, 7:39 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Burleigh, Emmons, Morton	51 min
Jul 9, 7:44 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	BIS	Burleigh, Kidder, Sheridan, Wells	61 min
Jul 9, 7:54 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Foster, Wells	66 min
Jul 9, 8:02 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Foster	58 min
Jul 9, 8:06 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BIS	Burleigh, Kidder, Sheridan, Wells	39 min
Jul 9, 8:17 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Stutsman	58 min
Jul 9, 8:17 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Burleigh, Emmons, Morton	43 min
Jul 9, 8:23 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Burleigh	52 min
Jul 9, 8:29 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	BIS	Burleigh, Kidder	61 min
Jul 9, 8:42 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Foster, Stutsman	63 min
Jul 9, 8:49 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Burleigh, Emmons, Kidder, Logan	41 min
Jul 9, 8:55 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	BIS	Burleigh, Kidder, Stutsman	65 min
Jul 9, 9:04 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threat	BIS	Burleigh, Kidder	56 min
Jul 9, 9:20 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	BIS	Burleigh	40 min
Jul 9, 9:22 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Kidder, Logan, Stutsman	53 min
Jul 9, 9:51 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	BIS	Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, Stutsman	84 min
Jul 9, 10:50 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh	55 min
Jul 9, 10:57 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BIS	Dickey, LaMoure	63 min
Jul 9, 11:40 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	BIS	Dickey, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh	65 min
Jul 10, 1:23 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BIS	Barnes	22 min
Jul 10, 2:02 AM CDT	Extreme Heat Warning	BIS	Adams, Billings, Bottineau, Bowman, Burke, Burleigh and 30 more	5 days

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Dakota, 2026 Every tornado warning in 2026 Tornadoes 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.