Thunderstorms developed during the early morning hours over northwest North Dakota as an upper level short-wave trough and affiliated surface low moved through the region. One storm became severe, producing half-dollar size hail south of Minot in Ward County.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS BIS wrote it up.
Thunderstorms developed during the early morning hours over northwest North Dakota as an upper level short-wave trough and affiliated surface low moved through the region. One storm became severe, producing half-dollar size hail south of Minot in Ward County.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Aug 24, 3:10 AM CST, 2 hours 8 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 410 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021 .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 406 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021 Ongoing showers and storms early this morning across the southeast will continue to move off to the east, with a diminished severe threat. CAMs been consistently indicating that convective initiation will occur along and to the north of the warm front early this morning across the northeast. This activity has held off for now, but remains possible through the morning. If this does happen, a few strong to severe storms cannot be ruled out given what we have seen early tonight and with the shear in place. Also across the north, low stratus is once again developing across southern Canada and dropping southward into North Dakota. The low clouds will likely continue south through the morning, especially as winds turn northerly/northwesterly as the low moves through. It is uncertain how far south the low clouds will make it, but into central North Dakota is not out of the question. Otherwise, clouds should eventually clear out this afternoon with highs ranging from the mid 60s north to mid 80s southeast. Expect a clear, calm, and cool night tonight as we find ourselves in between systems. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Monday) Issued at 406 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021 The long term forecast continues to favor an active weather pattern with near to slightly below average temperatures. A broad upper trough will be moving into the northwestern CONUS, which will set up southwesterly flow aloft across the northern Plains. The first of multiple waves expected to pass through this southwesterly flow will arrive late in the day Wednesday, providing the next chance for precipitation and possibly some severe weather (mainly across the south). The potential severe setup for Wednesday afternoon into Thursday appears pretty similar to the recent setup Monday evening and earlier this morning. Elevated convection is expected during the afternoon atop a dry and well-mixed boundary layer, primarily offering a wind threat. Convection lingering into the nighttime hours could be aided by a strengthening low level jet with a better chance for hail in addition to winds. SPC has once again issued a widespread Marginal Risk across much of the southern into northern Plains to address the severe threat. Additional disturbances swing through the area through the end of the week with decent precipitation chances continuing. The trough weakens and moves east through the region late in the weekend with slightly warming temperatures and drier conditions in the forecast to begin next week as ridging tries to build back in. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Tuesday night) Issued at 408 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021 While most terminals will likely see VFR conditions for much of the forecast period, there are several potential aviation impacts to address. There is a chance of thunderstorms across much North Dakota through the morning, with the best chances central and east. The strongest storms may produce IFR/LIFR visibility, erratic wind gusts, and hail. Additionally, a period of MVFR to IFR ceilings is forecast at KXWA and KMOT Tuesday morning, regardless of precipitation. Low level wind shear will be a concern through much of the early morning at most terminals. Surface winds will generally be southeasterly around 10-15 kts through tonight before becoming northwesterly around 15-20 kts by Tuesday afternoon. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM...Gale LONG TERM...Gale AVIATION...Gale
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Bismarck ND 425 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021 NDZ001>005-009>013-017>023-025-035>037-046>048-050-051-250930- Divide-Burke-Renville-Bottineau-Rolette-Williams-Mountrail-Ward- McHenry-Pierce-McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-Oliver-McLean-Sheridan-Wells- Foster-Burleigh-Kidder-Stutsman-Emmons-Logan-La Moure-McIntosh- Dickey- 425 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021 /325 AM MDT Tue Aug 24 2021/ 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...Today and Tonight There is a chance for thunderstorms through the morning. Severe weather is not expected, but a few storms may become strong with gusty winds and small hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible in southern North Dakota Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed. NDZ031>034-040>045-250930- Golden Valley-Billings-Stark-Morton-Slope-Hettinger-Grant-Bowman- Adams-Sioux- 425 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021 /325 AM MDT Tue Aug 24 2021/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central North Dakota and southwest North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible in southern North Dakota Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
103 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021
NDZ034-042-045-046-240630-
Grant ND-Sioux ND-Morton ND-Emmons ND-
103 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern Sioux,
southeastern Morton, northeastern Grant and Emmons Counties through
130 AM CDT/1230 AM MDT/...
At 102 AM CDT/1202 AM MDT/, strong thunderstorms were located along
a line extending from 10 miles northeast of Carson to Cannon Ball to
7 miles south of Wishek. Movement was northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Linton, Hazelton, Flasher, Solen, Cannon Ball, Braddock, St. Anthony,
Prairie Knights Resort, Lark, Temvik, Breien, Kintyre, Hazelton
Recreation Area, Huff, Fort Rice, and Beaver Bay Recreation Area.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM CDT/200 AM
MDT/ for south central and southeastern North Dakota.
&&
LAT...LON 4637 10130 4647 10164 4663 10149 4663 9991
4629 9992 4628 9988 4613 9988
TIME...MOT...LOC 0602Z 237DEG 25KT 4655 10144 4639 10058 4615 9958
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
HOLLANPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND
124 AM CDT TUE AUG 24 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0102 AM TSTM WND GST OAKES 46.14N 98.09W
08/24/2021 M97 MPH DICKEY ND PUBLIC
PERSONAL WEATHER STATION IN OAKES MEASURED
70 MPH SUSTAINED WIND GUSTING TO 97 MPH.
&&
ZHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND
132 AM CDT TUE AUG 24 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0123 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 NE JAMESTOWN 46.93N 98.67W
08/24/2021 M59 MPH STUTSMAN ND ASOS
ASOS STATION KJMS JAMESTOWN ND AIRPORT ASOS
(BIS) - WINDS WERE OCCURRING WELL BEHIND
LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS.
&&
ZHSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Bismarck ND 142 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021 NDZ036-037-047-048-050-051-240800- Kidder-Stutsman-Logan-La Moure-McIntosh-Dickey- Including the cities of Steele, Tappen, Jamestown, Napoleon, Gackle, Lamoure, Edgeley, Kulm, Wishek, Ashley, Oakes, and Ellendale 142 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021 ...STRONG WINDS BEHIND DEPARTING THUNDERSTORMS... Strong southeasterly winds will impact the southern James River Valley and areas to the west until 3 AM CDT. At 104 AM CDT, a 59 mph wind gust was reported at the Jamestown Airport. These winds are associated with an area of low pressure behind a line of thunderstorms that is approaching western Minnesota. Secure loose outdoor objects and be prepared for difficult driving conditions. Hollan
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
201 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021
NDZ046-047-240730-
Logan ND-Emmons ND-
201 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Logan and
northeastern Emmons Counties through 230 AM CDT...
At 200 AM CDT, strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 5 miles east of Hazelton to 4 miles south of
Napoleon. Movement was east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Napoleon, Braddock, Burnstad, Kintyre, Beaver Lake State Park, and
Temvik.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM CDT for
south central and southeastern North Dakota.
&&
LAT...LON 4629 10036 4663 10020 4663 9942 4628 9953
TIME...MOT...LOC 0700Z 267DEG 15KT 4647 10016 4645 9975
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HOLLANSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Bismarck ND 554 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021 NDZ010-018-021-241130- Mountrail ND-McLean ND-Dunn ND- 554 AM CDT Tue Aug 24 2021 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Dunn, northwestern McLean and southeastern Mountrail Counties through 630 AM CDT... At 554 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12 miles south of Van Hook Park, or 36 miles northeast of Killdeer, moving northeast at 35 mph. HAZARD...Nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Mountrail, northwestern McLean and northeastern Dunn Counties, including the following locations... Deep Water Creek Recreation Area and Raub. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 4770 10231 4785 10239 4799 10208 4771 10191 TIME...MOT...LOC 1054Z 246DEG 28KT 4778 10226 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH HARGROVE
The Minot AFB radar (KMBX), 100 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:18 UTC.
2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Some canola was shelled out. Soybean leaves were damaged and some pods were knocked off plants.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Dakota in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in North Dakota, August 2021
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 977615, 977616.