A strong Colorado low lifted through North Dakota. Initially, a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow developed over western and central North Dakota.
Every event with a place to put it; 19 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
A strong Colorado low lifted through North Dakota. Initially, a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow developed over western and central North Dakota. As temperatures dropped over the northwest and far north central, ice accumulated on power lines. Strong winds developed, with precipitation eventually changing over to all snow. The strong winds combined with the ice on the power lines leading to thousands of power poles and cross arms breaking, resulting in widespread power outages throughout the northwest into the far north central. On the evening of April 24, almost all of the northwest part of the state was without power. Some residential services in rural areas took over three weeks to have power restored, and some non-residential services were not restored until mid-June. As the snow combined with the strong winds, visibility dropped to zero across western and parts of central North Dakota. Interstate 94 closed from the Montana state line to Mandan, and most other roads were impassable. Due to the after-effects of the blizzard and power outages, the American Red Cross opened warming shelters in Crosby and Williston, and provided showers and meals to many individuals. Snowfall totals of over a foot and a half were reported, though were tough to measure with wind gusts over 70 mph. As of the writing of this episode, power companies and government officials were still in the process of calculating financial losses. With that said, expectations are that at a minimum, the financial impact from this storm was at least 60 million dollars. It should be understood that this value, and the individual county event entries, are rough estimates.
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 Apr 23, 5:42 AM CST, 1 hour 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Bismarck ND 642 AM CDT Sat Apr 23 2022 .UPDATE... Issued at 642 AM CDT Sat Apr 23 2022 No major forecast changes with this update. Regional radar shows a break in precipitation across south central and southeastern ND this morning, though this is expected to fill in again by this afternoon, likely with some thunderstorms. Across the west, rain is expected to change over to snow in the next couple hours where it hasn't already, which will result in blizzard conditions beginning. Across the north central, rain showers are present now, but a changeover to mixed precipitation and eventually snow is expected as colder air gets pulled in from the north through the day. && .SHORT TERM...(Today through Sunday night) Issued at 356 AM CDT Sat Apr 23 2022 A dynamic and stacked low pressure system will continue to impact the area through the short term. Early this morning, mostly rain and thunderstorms are impacting the area, with areas of a wintry mix of rain, FZRA, and snow across western ND. Thunderstorms moving in from the south have had a difficult time maintaining their strength as they are moving into a colder, more stable airmass over ND. With that said, due to the storms being elevated in nature, small hail will continue to be a threat with the strongest cells. Later this morning, around or shortly after sunrise, precipitation is expected to begin to change over to snow across far western ND. The line of mixed precipitation, including some FZRA, will then slowly move east through the day as colder air tries to move in around the backside of the surface low. Forecast storm total snow appears to have risen ever so slightly across the west, otherwise there are no major changes. The ice accumulation forecast continues to be a tricky one as air temperatures at the surface will be hanging around freezing and ground temperatures appear to be a few degrees warmer; however, the greatest potential for FZRA accumulation still appears to be from the north central stretching down into portions of the southwest. A band of enhanced snowfall appears likely to set up somewhere across western ND later today due to a favorable overlap of q-vector divergence and 850 mb frontogenesis, though at least moderate snowfall is expected regardless of the development of a band and with sustained winds reaching speeds of over 30 kts by this afternoon, widespread blizzard conditions will develop. Across the southeastern portion of the CWA where the primary precipitation type will be rain, a few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon within a region of enhanced destabilization within the warm sector. Given the strong shear in place, CAMs indicate the potential for an arc of supercells to develop somewhere along the ND/SD border by 18z which will rapidly move northeastward through the afternoon. The strongest storms will have the potential to produce large hail, severe wind gusts, and possibly even a couple tornadoes. No changes to the current headlines in place are expected. Looking ahead to Sunday afternoon, wind headlines will be needed across the southeastern portion of the CWA that is currently not covered by any hazards once the stronger NW flow arrives to this region. Precipitation rates will be noticeably lower by daybreak on Sunday with precipitation and eventually cloud cover clearing west to east Sunday afternoon and into the evening. .LONG TERM...(Monday through Friday) Issued at 356 AM CDT Sat Apr 23 2022 The long term period begins with a long wave upper level ridge building into the region early next week, resulting in dry weather and a warming trend Monday into Tuesday. Ridge starts to break down mid-week ahead of a mid level wave moving into south central Canada, but still expecting continued dry conditions for Wednesday along with a continued moderation in temperatures. Daytime highs Tue-Thu will be dependent on how our storm system plays out this weekend, specifically regarding the aerial extent of snowfall and how much areas receive. NBM 1D Viewer shows this uncertainty well, with on average a 10 degree spread between the 25th and 75th percentiles. Precipitation chances start to increase Thursday and especially into Thu night as a long wave trough/upper level low develops into the Pacific Northwest/southwestern Canada region, and begins to eject east across the northern Rockies. Our region then looks to be under the influence of this wave through the first half of next weekend. Overall result will be a cooling trend and elevated chances for precipitation Thu night through Fri night. EC/GEFS/Canadian ensembles all in agreement with decent probabilities for measurable QPF for this period. Precip type more uncertain, but ensemble mean thermal profiles do suggest rain or snow, with perhaps a better probability for more snow on the back end of the wave dependent on the degree of CAA. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Sunday morning) Issued at 642 AM CDT Sat Apr 23 2022 A dynamic low pressure system will impact western and central ND through the TAF period, bringing widespread precipitation, strong winds, and IFR to VLIFR ceilings and/or visibilities. Across the west (KDIK/KXWA), snow will become the dominant precipitation type early this morning, and in combination with strong winds, blizzard conditions are expected. Across the central (KBIS/KMOT), rain will be the dominant precipitation type through much of the day today with a changeover to snow expected for the second half of the forecast period. KJMS will see rain and thunderstorms through the period, with the potential for strong to severe storms this afternoon. && .BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Blizzard Warning from 1 PM CDT /noon MDT/ this afternoon to 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ Sunday for NDZ019>021-034-042. Blizzard Warning until 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ Sunday for NDZ001>003- 009>011-017-018-031>033-040-041-043-044. Winter Weather Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 7 PM CDT Sunday for NDZ004-005-012-013-022-023-035-036. && UPDATE...Gale SHORT TERM...Gale LONG TERM...NH AVIATION...Gale
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Bismarck ND 646 AM CDT Sat Apr 23 2022 NDZ001>003-009>011-017>021-031>034-040>044-241200- Divide-Burke-Renville-Williams-Mountrail-Ward-McKenzie-Dunn- Mercer-Oliver-McLean-Golden Valley-Billings-Stark-Morton-Slope- Hettinger-Grant-Bowman-Adams- 646 AM CDT Sat Apr 23 2022 /546 AM MDT Sat Apr 23 2022/ 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...Today and Tonight A Blizzard Warning is in effect through Sunday afternoon. See www.weather.gov/bis for additional information. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday A Blizzard Warning is in effect through Sunday afternoon. See www.weather.gov/bis for additional information. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report snow amounts to the National Weather Service via social media or by calling 1-800-247-0212. NDZ004-005-012-013-022-023-035-036-241200- Bottineau-Rolette-McHenry-Pierce-Sheridan-Wells-Burleigh-Kidder- 646 AM CDT Sat Apr 23 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central North Dakota and south central North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are possible today, though severe weather is not expected. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect this evening through Sunday afternoon. See www.weather.gov/bis for additional information. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect this evening through Sunday afternoon. See www.weather.gov/bis for additional information. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report snow amounts to the National Weather Service via social media or by calling 1-800-247-0212. NDZ025-037-045>048-050-051-241200- Foster-Stutsman-Sioux-Emmons-Logan-La Moure-McIntosh-Dickey- 646 AM CDT Sat Apr 23 2022 /546 AM MDT Sat Apr 23 2022/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central North Dakota and southeast North Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A strong low pressure system will impact the area through Sunday, bringing periods of heavy rain, strong winds, light snow, patchy blowing snow, and a chance of thunderstorms. A few thunderstorms today could be strong to severe with large hail, damaging wind gusts, and possibly a tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday A strong low pressure system will continue to impact the area on Sunday, bringing periods of heavy rain, strong winds, snow, and patchy blowing snow. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report severe weather to the National Weather Service via social media or by calling 1-800-247-0212.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
213 AM CDT Sat Apr 23 2022
NDZ046-050-230745-
McIntosh ND-Emmons ND-
213 AM CDT Sat Apr 23 2022
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF WESTERN MCINTOSH AND
SOUTHEASTERN EMMONS COUNTIES THROUGH 245 AM CDT...
At 212 AM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Hague, or 20
miles southeast of Linton, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts to 50 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of western McIntosh
and southeastern Emmons Counties, including the following
locations... Hull and Strasburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm 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.
&&
LAT...LON 4629 10013 4628 9957 4628 9956 4594 9977
4594 10032
TIME...MOT...LOC 0712Z 210DEG 40KT 4601 10005
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HEINERTPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND
734 AM CDT SAT APR 23 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN JAMESTOWN 46.91N 98.71W
04/23/2022 M1.44 INCH STUTSMAN ND ASOS
24 HOUR TOTAL.
&&
RKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND
737 AM CDT SAT APR 23 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN JAMESTOWN 46.90N 98.71W
04/23/2022 M1.53 INCH STUTSMAN ND CO-OP OBSERVER
STATE HOSPITAL 24 HOUR TOTAL.
&&
RKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BISMARCK ND
739 AM CDT SAT APR 23 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 AM HEAVY RAIN ZEELAND 45.98N 99.83W
04/23/2022 M3.40 INCH MCINTOSH ND PUBLIC
FACEBOOK POST.
&&
RKThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
22 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Dakota in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in North Dakota, April 2022
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: 1020471, 1020479, 1020488, 1020489, 1020490, 1020491, 1020492, 1020493, 1020494, 1020495, 1020496, 1020497, 1020498, 1020506, 1020514, 1020515, 1020516, 1020517, 1020518, 1020519, 1021092, 1021093.