Hail and Damaging Winds in North Dakota, June 29, 2020

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
545 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

.MESOSCALE DISCUSSION...
Issued at 545 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

Severe thunderstorm potential is rapidly increasing in western ND,
with an attendant risk of very large hail and tornadoes.

As of 2230 UTC, convective initiation is ongoing in the vicinity
of a warm frontal zone from Glendive toward Dickinson. That warm
frontal zone is lifting northward, with surface pressure falls and
low-level warm air advection per surface observations centered on
McKenzie and Dunn Counties late this afternoon. Billow clouds over
northwestern ND in visible satellite imagery provide evidence of
enhanced low-level SRH shown in RAP-based objective analyses, with
0-1-km SRH around 150 m2/s2 along and north of the warm front. The
thermodynamic environment is characterized by MLCAPE of 2000-3000
J/kg, though initial cells may be in an air mass characterized by
MLLCL heights close to 1500 m AGL. Right-moving supercell motion
vectors toward the north-northeast around 25 kt will eventually
take the initial storms, including the supercell in eastern MT,
into McKenzie and Williams Counties through 01 UTC, where MLLCL
heights are lower, while the partially-sheltered boundary layer is
still supportive of enhanced low-level shear in support of a risk
of tornadoes. Very large hail will also be an enhanced risk with
any sustained mesocyclones given steep midlevel lapse rates and
deep-layer shear on the order of 40 kt. Further south, along and
south of I-94 in southwestern ND, agitated cumulus and attempts at
convective initiation marked by orphan anvils are continuing, and
may result in an increasing severe-storm risk by 00 UTC, as well.
This may be further aided by confluence in the wind fields which
has recently been noted in the warm sector in southwestern ND, as
noted by southwest surface winds at Buffalo, SD, and southeast
winds at Hettinger, ND.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday)
Issued at 308 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

Multiple hazards are in effect, the Heat Advisory to cover the
oppressive heat and humidity, and a Flash Flood watch has been
issued for portions of western and north central ND for the
potential for flash flooding this evening through tomorrow
evening.

Currently, surface low pressure was situated over northwest South
Dakota with strong moisture convergence in southwest ND into east
central MT. An area of mid to high level moisture is streaming
into the south central this afternoon, and limiting our heating
potential for the Heat Advisory. Do expect we might see some
thinning of the clouds along the western fringes, plus we have
been as high as 98 degrees for a heat index at Bismarck. We may be
able to let go a little early, but will let it ride for the time
being.

Late this afternoon or early this evening still looks favorable
for thunderstorm initiation in western ND. Although we are not
quite as unstable as yesterday and there may be a larger area of
convective inhibition to overcome, there are still some areas of
strong pressure falls situated over west central ND, along with a
few areas of less CIN over southwest ND and parts of the far
northwest. The CAMs have been pretty consistent all day in
developing a N-S line of convection in western ND. The latest
CAMs may be a little farther west, and a bit later. But
nonetheless, there is a larger area of deep layer shear available
to storms that develop along the frontal zone. There is some
indication that the northern portion of the line may grow upscale
and race eastward into the north central. This was moreso on the
earlier iterations, but there is still some indication that this
could occur. Also, there is also a lot of directional shear over
west central ND, so any storms that fire along the boundary, could
become supercellular with the potential for tornadoes. Very large
hail would also be a possibility. So needless to day, all threats
will be in play today. In addition, areas of very heavy rain will
be possible with any storms that develop. CIPS analogs are pegged
at either the 99.5th percentile, or the Max of all models across
the far northern tier counties through Tuesday evening. WPC has
the northwest and north central within either a marginal or slight
risk of flooding this evening through Tuesday. We decided to
highlight this entire area with one watch through Tuesday evening.

Convection may also continue into the late evening and early
overnight hours, so some areas could see a couple rounds of heavy
rain tonight, and this does not take into account Tuesday and
Tuesday evening.

On Tuesday, the treat for severe weather shifts into central and
eastern North Dakota. Again, very warm and unstable will
atmosphere will remain along and east of wherever the surface
boundary ends up after tonights convection.

.LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Monday)
Issued at 308 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

We remains warm through the extended period. The main forecast issue
will be timing and placement issues with occasional thunderstorm
chances.

Except for Wednesday, which is a little cooler, Daytime highs
through the extended period will be in the 80s north to 90s south.

It still looks like a bit of a break from severe weather Wednesday
and Thursday with some drier air pushing into the forecast area.
However, we will remain situated along the southern periphery of the
westerlies so you can't rule out a thunderstorm any day. Currently
our given model blend is showing mainly slight chances of
thunderstorms Wednesday daytime through Friday daytime, with chance
pops Friday night and through the weekend. This seems reasonable
and will stick close to our guidance.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon)
Issued at 308 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

Another round of thunderstorms, some strong to severe, beginning
late afternoon or early evening in the west and spreading eastward
through the night. KDIK, KXWA, and KMOT appear to be the most
likely to be impacted with thunderstorms. Less sure about KBIS and
KJMS. All TAF sites appear to have another chance of stratus and
fog developing late tonight or early Tuesday.

&&

.BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flash Flood Watch through late Tuesday night for NDZ001>004-
009>012-017>019-021-031-032.

Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ this evening for
NDZ011>013-019>023-025-034>037-042-045>048-050-051.

&&

MESOSCALE...CJS
SHORT TERM...TWH
LONG TERM...TWH
AVIATION...TWH

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
612 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

NDZ001>004-009>012-017>019-021-031-032-302315-
Divide-Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Williams-Mountrail-Ward-McHenry-
McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-McLean-Golden Valley-Billings-
612 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020 /512 PM MDT Mon Jun 29 2020/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
North Dakota, northwest North Dakota, south central North Dakota,
and southwest North Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Severe thunderstorms are likely in western and north central
North Dakota through tonight. Potential hazards include very large
hail up to tennis ball size, damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, and
tornadoes.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for west central, northwest, and
north central North Dakota through late Tuesday night. Details can
be found at weather.gov/bis.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

A few severe thunderstorms are possible in western and central
North Dakota again on Tuesday, but the main risk will be along and
east of Highway 83 in the central part of the state.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters will be needed through tonight.

NDZ005-013-020-022-023-025-034>037-042-045>048-050-051-302315-
Rolette-Pierce-Oliver-Sheridan-Wells-Foster-Morton-Burleigh-
Kidder-Stutsman-Grant-Sioux-Emmons-Logan-La Moure-McIntosh-Dickey-
612 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020 /512 PM MDT Mon Jun 29 2020/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
North Dakota, south central North Dakota, and southeast North
Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

There is a chance of thunderstorms tonight across central North
Dakota. A few storms may be severe, with the main threat across
central North Dakota being damaging winds up to 70 mph. Large hail
up to the size of balls is also possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

A few severe thunderstorms are possible in western and central
North Dakota again on Tuesday, but the main risk will be along and
east of Highway 83 in the central part of the state.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters may be needed tonight and Tuesday.

NDZ033-040-041-043-044-302315-
Stark-Slope-Hettinger-Bowman-Adams-
512 PM MDT Mon Jun 29 2020

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Severe thunderstorms are likely in western and north central
North Dakota through tonight. Potential hazards include very large
hail up to tennis ball size, damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, and
tornadoes.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Chances for thunderstorms Tuesday through Wednesday and some
could be severe and with heavy rain, but there remains uncertainty
in the timing and location of the greatest risks.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters will likely be needed through tonight.

CJS

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND
519 PM CDT MON JUN 29 2020

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

0905 PM     TORNADO          5 ENE CARBURY           48.93N 100.45W
06/28/2020                   BOTTINEAU          ND   PUBLIC

            EVENT WAS SUNDAY EVENING. CLARIFIES AND ADDS
            DETAIL TO LSR SENT SUNDAY INDICATING A TIME
            OF 920 PM 7NE CARBURY. SECOND OF 2 TORNADOES
            IN THIS LOCATION. ALL DATA IS PRELIMINARY /
            ESTIMATED, INCLUDING TIMES. 905 PM TO 910
            PM. THIS PROPERTY AND THE ONE TO THE NORTH
            OF IT HAD DAMAGE INCLUDING TO A BARN DOOR
            AND ROOF, MACHINE SHED, SWING SET AND LARGE
            TREES. PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE IS EF1. END OF
            PATH / LIFT POINT OF TORNADO NOT YET KNOWN.
            NO INJURIES AND NO DEATHS IN EITHER TORNADO.
            NWS THANKS RESIDENTS OF THE AREA FOR
            SPEAKING WITH US AND FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE.

0900 PM     TORNADO          5 ENE CARBURY           48.93N 100.45W
06/28/2020                   BOTTINEAU          ND   PUBLIC

            EVENT WAS SUNDAY EVENING. CLARIFIES AND ADDS
            DETAIL TO LSR SENT SUNDAY INDICATING A TIME
            OF 920 PM 7NE CARBURY. FIRST OF 2 TORNADOES
            IN THIS LOCATION. ALL DATA IS PRELIMINARY /
            ESTIMATED, INCLUDING TIMES. 900 PM TO 902
            PM. NO DAMAGE FROM THIS FIRST TORNADO.

&&

JP MARTIN

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
613 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

NDZ017-018-032-292330-
McKenzie ND-Billings ND-Dunn ND-
613 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN DUNN...NORTHEASTERN
BILLINGS AND SOUTH CENTRAL MCKENZIE COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM CDT/530 PM
MDT/...

At 612 PM CDT/512 PM MDT/, strong thunderstorms were located along a
line extending from near Grassy Butte to 6 miles northwest of Manning
to 9 miles northwest of Taylor. Movement was north at 35 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts to 50 mph will be possible with these
storms.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Grassy Butte around 515 PM MDT.
  Killdeer around 520 PM MDT.
  Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit around 530 PM MDT.

Other locations impacted by these storms include Hirschville, Oakdale
and New Hradec.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

Campers should move to a sturdy shelter until these storms pass.
&&

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT/midnight MDT/ for
southwestern and northwestern North Dakota.

LAT...LON 4774 10334 4765 10282 4724 10228 4703 10242
      4701 10248 4701 10252 4699 10252 4698 10256
      4700 10289 4715 10303 4729 10339
TIME...MOT...LOC 2312Z 172DEG 29KT 4744 10325 4729 10289 4700 10257

EDWARDS