Alert archive / North Dakota / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 20, NWS Bismarck, ND
NWS Bismarck, ND issued this tornado warning at Sep 7, 2026, 6:28 PM CDT for McLean County, North Dakota. It was in force for 47 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
- Sep 7, 2026, 6:28 PM CDT (23:28 UTC)
- Expired
- Sep 7, 2026, 7:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 47 min
- Issued by
- NWS Bismarck, ND
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.75 in
County McLean County, ND
The radar
The Minot AFB radar (KMBX), 80 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:29 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 7, 6:35 PM CDT | TORNADO | 6 S Strawberry Lake, ND | Multiple reports of a cone tornado that lasted less than a minute. Storm was still rapidly rotating after tornado dissipated. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this tornado warning; the first came 7 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 7, 5:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 4 hr |
The text
As transmitted.
349
WFUS53 KBIS 072328
TORBIS
NDC055-080015-
/O.NEW.KBIS.TO.W.0020.260907T2328Z-260908T0015Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
628 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026
The National Weather Service in Bismarck has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern McLean County in south central North Dakota...
* Until 715 PM CDT.
* At 628 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 11 miles south of Ruso City, or 22 miles east of
Garrison, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and golf 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...
Strawberry Lake.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4762 10103 4768 10105 4783 10077 4760 10068
TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 236DEG 11KT 4768 10096
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$2 follow-up statements
493
WWUS53 KBIS 072336
SVSBIS
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
636 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026
NDC055-080015-
/O.CON.KBIS.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260908T0015Z/
McLean ND-
636 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN MCLEAN COUNTY...
At 636 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 11 miles south of Ruso
City, or 25 miles east of Garrison, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and golf ball size hail.
SOURCE...Public confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Mainly rural areas of Northeastern McLean County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4764 10098 4771 10100 4772 10098 4779 10076
4760 10068
TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 258DEG 19KT 4767 10094
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
KJS352
WWUS53 KBIS 072344
SVSBIS
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
644 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026
NDC055-080015-
/O.CON.KBIS.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260908T0015Z/
McLean ND-
644 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN MCLEAN COUNTY...
At 644 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 11 miles southeast of Ruso City, or 28 miles east of
Garrison, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and golf 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...
Mainly rural areas of Northeastern McLean County.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4764 10092 4773 10095 4779 10076 4760 10068
TIME...MOT...LOC 2336Z 258DEG 19KT 4768 10088
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Sep 7, 2:29 PM CDT, 3 hours 59 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms expected this afternoon. A few storms could be severe.
- Windy on Tuesday, with near-critical to critical fire weather conditions across southwest and south central North Dakota.
- Unseasonably warm and humid today, then cooler Tuesday and Wednesday. A brief warm up on Thursday could be followed by much cooler temperatures next weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 7, 2:29 PM CDT, 3 hours 59 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 229 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms expected this afternoon. A few storms could be severe. - Windy on Tuesday, with near-critical to critical fire weather conditions across southwest and south central North Dakota. - Unseasonably warm and humid today, then cooler Tuesday and Wednesday. A brief warm up on Thursday could be followed by much cooler temperatures next weekend. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 229 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026 A dynamic system continues impacting the forecast area. Currently, surface low is located over eastern Montana/southwestern North Dakota, while upper low is primarily over north central Montana propagating into south central Canada. For the most part, thunderstorms from earlier today have exited the CWA. However, another severe weather threat persists this afternoon, and seems especially focused along and west of Highway 83 where skies cleared out quicker in the day. RAP analysis suggests a narrow corridor of enhanced instability this afternoon that will be collocated with 40 to 50 kts of deep layer shear. Wherever this ultimately sets up would be the primary focus for severe weather. With bulk shear vectors generally perpendicular to the frontal boundary off the surface low, supercells are possible that could lead to large hail and damaging winds. A tornado or two cannot be ruled out, especially near the surface low. By this evening, any remaining instability should rapidly decrease as dry air moves in, while CIN increases. Thus any severe weather threat should also diminish as the sun sets. After which, a few showers are possible mainly in the north on Tuesday, with additional rain chances overnight. Gusty westerly winds will develop Tuesday as the surface low lifts northeast, especially in the northern half of the state. Though pressure rises and CAA advection aren't the strongest, there was enough confidence to issue a Wind Advisory for most counties north of I94. For Tuesday, the strongest winds are not collocated with the driest air. Still, critical fire weather conditions are possible in the far southwest. In addition, near critical conditions are expected in the remainder of the southwest and south central. Drier conditions and breezy winds could once again produce near critical to critical fire weather conditions across much of the southwest and south central on Thursday. Beyond Tuesday, mostly dry conditions are favored through the remainder of the workweek. After which, widespread precipitation chances return Sunday and into early next week. Temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday will be seasonable before another brief warm-up Thursday. A cooling trend is then expected this weekend and into early next week with highs possibly in the upper 50s and 60s by early next week. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 102 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026 Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms persist in eastern, central, and parts of northwestern North Dakota early this afternoon. Additional development is possible as the afternoon goes on, which could lead to severe weather including gusty and erratic winds, as well as large hail. Placing exactly where these storms will develop remains a challenge so maintained PROB30s as needed. Shower and thunderstorm activity should rapidly diminish as the sun sets. Tuesday morning will be mostly dry, though gusty westerly winds will begin to develop, especially north of I94. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory from 7 AM CDT /6 AM MDT/ to 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ Tuesday for NDZ001>005-009-010-012-013-017>019-022-023-025- 055>058. && DISCUSSION...Telken AVIATION...Telken
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 7, 5:44 PM CDT, 44 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Bismarck ND 544 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026 NDZ031>033-040-041-043-044-082245- Golden Valley-Billings-Stark-Slope-Hettinger-Bowman-Adams- 444 PM MDT Mon Sep 7 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Tonight Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon. Potential hazards include large hail up to golf ball size, damaging winds up to 70 mph, torrential rain, and perhaps a tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Strong west winds are expected on Tuesday. Critical fire weather conditions are possible both Tuesday and Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard procedures, including through our social media accounts. NDZ020-035>037-042-046>048-050-051-059>062-082245- Oliver-Burleigh-Kidder-Stutsman-Grant-Emmons-Logan-La Moure- McIntosh-Dickey-Western Morton-Eastern Morton-Western Sioux- Eastern Sioux- 544 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026 /444 PM MDT Mon Sep 7 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central North Dakota and southeast North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Tonight Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible through this evening. Potential hazards include large hail up to golf ball size, damaging winds up to 70 mph, torrential rain, and perhaps a tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Strong west winds are expected on Tuesday. Near-critical fire weather conditions are expected across much of southwest and south central North Dakota on Tuesday, and are possible again on Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard procedures, including through our social media accounts. NDZ001-009-017>019-025-082245- Divide-Williams-McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-Foster- 544 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026 /444 PM MDT Mon Sep 7 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest North Dakota, south central North Dakota, southeast North Dakota, and southwest North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Tonight Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible through this evening. Potential hazards include large hail up to golf ball size, damaging winds up to 70 mph, torrential rain, and perhaps a tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday A Wind Advisory is in effect Tuesday afternoon. See weather.gov/bis for details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard procedures, including through our social media accounts. NDZ002>005-010-012-013-022-023-055>058-082245- Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Rolette-Mountrail-McHenry-Pierce- Sheridan-Wells-Northwest Ward- Central and Southern Ward/Minot Area-Western McLean- Eastern McLean- 544 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central North Dakota, northwest North Dakota, and south central North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Tonight Severe Thunderstorm Watch is out until 11pm. See weather.gov for more details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday A Wind Advisory is in effect Tuesday afternoon. See weather.gov/bis for details. .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, Sep 7, 2:06 PM CDT, 4 hours 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
206 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0832 AM Rain Hebron 46.90N 102.05W
09/07/2026 M1.38 Inch Morton ND Broadcast Media
Rainfall on Sunday. Relayed through
broadcast media.
&&
JAALocal storm report, Sep 7, 2:07 PM CDT, 4 hours 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
207 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1029 AM Rain Watford City 47.80N 103.28W
09/07/2026 M1.30 Inch McKenzie ND Broadcast Media
Relayed through broadcast media.
&&
JAALocal storm report, Sep 7, 2:08 PM CDT, 4 hours 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
208 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0126 PM Rain 1 E Minot Air Force Bas 48.42N 101.33W
09/07/2026 M1.39 Inch Ward ND AWOS
AWOS station KMIB Minot AFB.
&&
JAALocal storm report, Sep 7, 2:09 PM CDT, 4 hours 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
209 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0154 PM Rain 2 NE Minot 48.25N 101.27W
09/07/2026 M1.30 Inch Ward ND ASOS
ASOS station KMOT Minot Airport.
&&
JAALocal storm report, Sep 7, 2:10 PM CDT, 4 hours 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
210 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 PM Rain 11 SSE Williston 48.02N 103.49W
09/07/2026 M1.00 Inch Williams ND Mesonet
Mesonet station GW7395 WILLISTON.
&&
JAALocal storm report, Sep 7, 2:24 PM CDT, 4 hours 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
224 PM CDT Mon Sep 7 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0658 PM Hail 11 NNE Alexander 47.98N 103.53W
09/06/2026 M1.25 Inch McKenzie ND Trained Spotter
&&
JAAThe office that day
Everything else NWS Bismarck, ND issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 6, 7:20 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BIS | McKenzie | 40 min |
| Sep 6, 7:42 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BIS | Dunn, McKenzie | 33 min |
| Sep 6, 8:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | Dunn, McKenzie | 22 min |
| Sep 7, 2:06 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Williams | 39 min |
| Sep 7, 4:35 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Divide, Dunn, McKenzie, Williams | 40 min |
| Sep 7, 5:16 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Dunn | 29 min |
| Sep 7, 5:48 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Dunn | 27 min |
| Sep 7, 6:37 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Mountrail | 38 min |
| Sep 7, 7:14 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Ward | 46 min |
| Sep 7, 10:42 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BIS | Bottineau, McHenry | 33 min |
| Sep 7, 1:11 PM CDT | Wind Advisory | BIS | Billings, Bottineau, Burke, Divide, Dunn, Foster and 16 more | 30 hr |
| Sep 7, 6:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BIS | McHenry, McLean, Sheridan, Ward | 67 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in North Dakota, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.