Hail and Damaging Winds in North Dakota, June 2, 2026

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in North Dakota, June 2, 2026
Start: 2026-06-02T08:49
End: 2026-06-02T19:38
Location: North Dakota

June 2, 2026 · NWS BIS · 12 events in 5 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 2
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS BIS wrote it up.

As an upper level low moved through the region, severe thunderstorms developed along a weak cold front that moved through North Dakota. Scattered showers and non-severe thunderstorms were ongoing during the morning before increasing in strength throughout the afternoon. A cluster of severe thunderstorms moved through parts of north central North Dakota, including the Turtle Mountains area, before additional storms developed to the south in the James River Valley area. |The most significant damage occurred approximately 4 miles northeast of Belcourt. Multiple buildings were damaged at a collection of properties in this area. A garage on the southwest side of the damage area lost a section of its roof that video and drone footage show was blown northeast across the property. The other main building with damage is a residential home at the center property that lost a significant portion of its roof ripped off. On the north and east side of this property, there were multiple hardwood trees damaged, some snapped about halfway down, but all generally extending to the northeast. A utility truck was parked at the center property and was facing south when the storm came through. A two by four plank of wood went through the windshield and both occupants of the truck had minor injuries. At the eastern property in this group, a shed collapsed and was blown into the edge of a wooded area to the northeast. Drone footage shows numerous trees damaged in this wooded area, extending a few hundred feet northeast of the buildings on the property. Winds were estimated at 95 mph. To the northeast, there was another property with approximately 15 to 20 oak trees that were damaged. |The other main area of damage occurred in Stutsman County, one mile west of Spiritwood. A 200 foot by 60 foot barn was blown over and dismantled. Based on photo and satellite imagery, barn was oriented west-east with 3 doors facing south. The storm was moving from south to north, which would be a favorable direction to funnel wind into the broad side of the barn with multiple doors, helping the barn collapse and push pieces into the tree row directly to the north. This is consistent with wind speeds of around 85 mph.|The highest measured wind gust was 62 mph near Zeeland in Mcintosh County and near Pettibone in Kidder County. The largest hail reported was golf ball sized, west of Belcourt in Rolette County.

What forecasters said that day

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 Jun 2, 6:57 AM MST, 1 hour 52 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Marginal (level 1 out of 5) to Slight Risk (level 2 out of 5) of severe weather over much of western and central North Dakota today into tonight.
Marginal (level 1 out of 5) to Slight Risk (level 2 out of 5) of severe weather over central and into eastern North Dakota on Wednesday.
Low to medium chances of showers and thunderstorms Thursday through the remainder of the week.
Highs in the 70s and 80s through the workweek, warming into the 80s and lower 90s for the weekend.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 2, 6:57 AM MST, 1 hour 52 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
857 AM CDT Tue Jun 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Marginal (level 1 out of 5) to Slight Risk (level 2 out of 5)
  of severe weather over much of western and central North
  Dakota today into tonight.

- Marginal (level 1 out of 5) to Slight Risk (level 2 out of 5)
  of severe weather over central and into eastern North Dakota
  on Wednesday.

- Low to medium chances of showers and thunderstorms Thursday
  through the remainder of the week.

- Highs in the 70s and 80s through the workweek, warming into
  the 80s and lower 90s for the weekend.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 857 AM CDT Tue Jun 2 2026

Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms continue mainly in
western North dakota this morning, and are expected to
gradually expand both eastward and in coverage through the
remainder of the day. Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms
remain likely this afternoon and evening. Adjusted PoPs
slightly based on the latest radar trends.

UPDATE Issued at 639 AM CDT Tue Jun 2 2026

We updated pops based on latest radar and added some patchy fog
along and east of the Highway 83 corridor. Otherwise no changes
to the going forecast.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 231 AM CDT Tue Jun 2 2026

The main forecast issue today will be the threat for severe
convection today into tonight and again on Wednesday. An upper
level low situated over far southwest Saskatchewan early this
morning will move very slowly northeast through Wednesday
morning, then will pick up a little speed Wednesday as it tracks
east from Saskatchewan into Manitoba by Thursday morning. This
will provide a risk for strong to severe thunderstorms over all
of western and central North Dakota today, with the threat for
strong to severe storms shifting into central and eastern ND on
Wednesday.

Currently, scattered showers and embedded thunderstorms were
lifting northeast across far east central Montana and into
western North Dakota. Increasing CIN through the early morning
hours should keep the threat for severe storms low, but with
effective shear increasing over western ND through this same
timeframe, a low threat for severe storms remains.

As we go through the morning hours and into this afternoon, the
atmosphere is expected to destabilize along and ahead of weak
cold front over western/central North Dakota. With the upper low
position over southern Saskatchewan, most of western and central
ND will be in a favorable position for strong shear of 40 to
55 knots this afternoon into this evening. The position of the
aforementioned front is roughly NNE-SSW across central ND by mid
afternoon. Bulk shear is increasing and is southwest to
northeast across central ND in this same general timeframe. The
orientation of the shear with the boundary looks to be neither
parallel nor perpendicular, but does look to be more parallel
than perpendicular. This would suggest a messy mixed mode and
the HREF paintball of Updraft Helicity does indicate a mix of
mostly short tracks, but also some longer tracks within the
overall cluster. We will message the same threats as yesterday,
large hail to golfball size, winds to 70 mph and an isolated
tornado threat. These storms will also have the potential for
very heavy rainfall. The tornado threat looks to be highest over
southwest ND, closest to a surface low forecast to develop over
western South Dakota. However, the RAP STP shows values of 1-3
along the aforementioned frontal boundary across central ND,
with a local max over the north central late this afternoon.
With more of a parallel than perpendicular component of shear,
there may some higher wind gusts in any bowing segments, this
kept the 70 mph wind threat. Large hail to the size of golf
balls will also be a threat for any supercell storm.

The HREF UH paintballs also shows a max in the north central
early to mid afternoon, then moving into or developing in the
southwest/south central late afternoon into early this evening.
There is then definitely a downtick in activity as we approach
midnight tonight, but there may still be convection that lingers
over the southwest/south central overnight and into Wednesday
morning. Then on Wednesday we repeat the severe threat over
central and into eastern ND as convection develops/strengthens
over central ND and moves into the eastern portion of the state.
All threats, large hail, strong damaging winds, heavy rain and
isolated tornados will all be on the table, it will just be a
question of how overnight and early morning convection (or the
lack thereof) evolves early Wednesday. It does look like the
threat Tuesday will be mainly during the day and into the early
evening over our neck of the woods, but will have to see how
things evolve today into early Wednesday morning before we get
a better idea.

The threat for severe convection does look to wane a bit late in
the workweek with the CSU machine learning page keeping the
threat for severe storms limited to the far south, or even south
of the forecast area. The threat does increase a bit by the
weekend as we warm into the 80s and lower 90s by Saturday and
especially Sunday. We become quite unstable each day, but the
shear appears marginal at this time. But with the strong
instability, there looks to be at least a small threat of severe
storms over the weekend and into early next week.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 639 AM CDT Tue Jun 2 2026

Scattered showers with embedded thunderstorms over western and
central ND this morning will propagate slowly east. Expect
convection to re-develop over central ND this afternoon through
this evening and spread eastward. Any thunderstorms will have
the potential for MVFR to IFR ceilings and visibilities in heavy
downpours. Strong winds and large hail will also be possible
with any thunderstorm activity from later this morning through
around 06 UTC. Expect a decrease in thunderstorm intensity 06-12
UTC, but isolated to scattered storms may remain. Areas of MVFR
ceilings are also possible outside of thunderstorm activity
late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning. Expect a
moderate south to southeast surface flow today across the
forecast area. Winds are expected to diminish tonight and remain
southerly over central ND, but may turn westerly over western
ND.

&&

.BIS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

UPDATE...Telken
DISCUSSION...TWH
AVIATION...TWH

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 2, 6:40 AM MST, 2 hours 9 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
840 AM CDT Tue Jun 2 2026

NDZ001>003-009-010-017>019-031>033-040-041-043-044-055>057-031345-
Divide-Burke-Renville-Williams-Mountrail-McKenzie-Dunn-Mercer-
Golden Valley-Billings-Stark-Slope-Hettinger-Bowman-Adams-
Northwest Ward-Central and Southern Ward/Minot Area-
Western McLean-
840 AM CDT Tue Jun 2 2026 /740 AM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026/

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

Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible across
western and central North Dakota today through this evening. The
main hazards will be large hail up to golf ball size and damaging
wind gusts up to 70 mph. Isolated tornadoes and very heavy
rainfall heavy rainfall are also possible with the storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard
procedures, including through our social media accounts.

NDZ004-005-012-013-020-022-023-025-035>037-042-046>048-050-051-
058>062-031345-
Bottineau-Rolette-McHenry-Pierce-Oliver-Sheridan-Wells-Foster-
Burleigh-Kidder-Stutsman-Grant-Emmons-Logan-La Moure-McIntosh-
Dickey-Eastern McLean-Western Morton-Eastern Morton-Western Sioux-
Eastern Sioux-
840 AM CDT Tue Jun 2 2026 /740 AM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible across
western and central North Dakota today through this evening. The
main hazards will be large hail up to golf ball size and damaging
wind gusts up to 70 mph. Isolated tornadoes and very heavy
rainfall heavy rainfall are also possible with the storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible across
central North Dakota Wednesday. The main hazards will be large
hail up to golf ball size and damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph.
Isolated tornadoes and very heavy rainfall are also possible with
the storms.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are asked to provide reports to the NWS using standard
procedures, including through our social media accounts.

Telken

The radar

The Bismarck radar (KBIS), 163 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:48 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 thunderstorm wind, 4 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Hettinger

When: June 2, 8:49 AM MST to 8:51 AM MST
Where: Hettinger County, 1.18 mi NW of New England
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.540, -102.870

Hail estimated to be penny sized.

Hail, Rolette

When: June 2, 12:55 PM CST to 12:58 PM CST
Where: Rolette County, 5.95 mi E of San Haven
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.840, -99.900

Hail estimated to be golf ball sized. Public report relayed by broadcast media.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rolette

When: June 2, 1:02 PM CST to 1:07 PM CST
Where: Rolette County, 4.24 mi NNE of Belcourt
Measured: 83 kt (96 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Local Official
Coordinates: 48.890, -99.710

Thunderstorm wind damage reported approximately 4 miles northeast of Belcourt. Multiple buildings were damaged at a collection of properties in this area. A garage on the southwest side of the damage area lost a section of its roof that video and drone footage show was blown northeast across the property. The other main building with damage is a residential home at the center property that lost a significant portion of its roof ripped off. On the north and east side of this property, there were multiple hardwood trees damaged, some snapped about halfway down, but all generally extending to the northeast. A utility truck was parked at the center property and was facing south when the storm came through. A two by four plank of wood went through the windshield and both occupants of the truck had minor injuries. At the eastern property in this group, a shed collapsed and was blown into the edge of a wooded area to the northeast. Drone footage shows numerous trees damaged in this wooded area, extending a few hundred feet northeast of the buildings on the property. Winds were estimated at 95 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rolette

When: June 2, 1:07 PM CST to 1:10 PM CST
Where: Rolette County, 2.76 mi S of St John
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 48.910, -99.680

Approximately 15 to 20 oak trees were damaged at this property. Photos provided show various degrees of damage, ranging from branches broken to an uprooted tree. Some of the trees were likely already dead when they were damaged. A trampoline was also blown into the edge of the wooded area. This damage is consistent with straight line wind speeds of 90 mph.

Hail, Kidder

When: June 2, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Kidder County, 0.84 mi SW of Robinson
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 47.140, -99.780

Hail up to the size of quarters that lasted about 10 minutes.

Thunderstorm Wind, McIntosh

When: June 2, 5:37 PM CST
Where: McIntosh County, 6.75 mi W of Ventura
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 46.010, -99.690

Zeeland NDAWN station reported wind gusts up to 62 mph.

Hail, Kidder

When: June 2, 5:56 PM CST
Where: Kidder County, Pettibone
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.120, -99.520

Hail up to the size of quarters reported. Nearby, there was a report of smaller hail but larger quantity.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kidder

When: June 2, 6:09 PM CST
Where: Kidder County, 1.41 mi E of Pettibone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.120, -99.490

Private weather station reported wind gusts up to 62 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stutsman

When: June 2, 7:13 PM CST
Where: Stutsman County, 3.29 mi W of Pingree
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.170, -98.990

Private weather station reported wind gusts up to 61 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stutsman

When: June 2, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Stutsman County, 2.89 mi WNW of Kensal
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.310, -98.790

Private weather station reported wind gusts up to 59 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stutsman

When: June 2, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Stutsman County, 5.16 mi W of Courtenay
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 47.220, -98.680

Courtenay NDAWN station reported wind gusts up to 58 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stutsman

When: June 2, 7:38 PM CST
Where: Stutsman County, 1.17 mi NW of Spiritwood
Measured: 74 kt (85 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.940, -98.520

A 200 foot by 60 foot barn was blown over and dismantled one mile west of Spiritwood. Based on photo and satellite imagery, barn was oriented west-east with 3 doors facing south. The storm was moving from south to north, which would be a favorable direction to funnel wind into the broad side of the barn with multiple doors, helping the barn collapse and push pieces into the tree row directly to the north. This is consistent with wind speeds of around 85 mph.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Dakota in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in North Dakota, June 2026

Sources

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: 1340786, 1340787, 1340792, 1340793, 1340795, 1340797, 1340798, 1340799, 1340800, 1340801, 1340802, 1340803.