Tornado and Hail in North Dakota, June 28, 2026

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
720 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Another round of isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms is
  possible this evening through Monday. Main hazards will be
  hail up to 2 inches in diameter and wind gusts up to 70 mph.
  An isolated tornado is possible.

- After a subtle cool down to start the week, above average
  temperatures are favored starting the middle of this week,
  potentially warming to well above average heading into the
  Fourth of July holiday weekend.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 720 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

Pulsey thunderstorms have begun to develop across portions of
northwestern and south central North Dakota at the time of this
early evening update. While a fairly robust convective
environment is found across western and central North Dakota,
with mesoanalysis revealing around 2000-3000 J/KG MUCAPE and
0-6KM shear around 45 to 60 knots, the lack of even a moderate
forcing across the area has so far kept storms fairly pulsey in
nature. The exception to this is far northwestern North Dakota
into southern Saskatchewan, where storms have become a little
more developed as they move into the left exit region of the a
NE-SW oriented upper level jet draped across the northern
plains. As we head into the mid to late evening, storms are
expected to become elevated as MLCIN increases across the board,
but CAMs continue to advertise the potential for strong to
severe storms developing by this period. With this update, have
tweaks PoPs to account for the latest radar and short term
model trends. Have also added patchy fog across portions of
central North Dakota, mainly west of Highway 83.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 345 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

Upper low will linger to the northwest tonight. Meanwhile a
surface low developing in the across the central plains will
continue to provide ample moisture and instability to the area.
The result will likely be another round of thunderstorms
tonight, especially late tonight. Currently there is high
amounts of instability and shear, some of it minimally capped,
although capping may return this evening. However, lift is
limited at the moment given the two mentioned lows are not quite
to the area. A favorable jet location has been enough to develop
some elevated showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, and may
continue to do sot through at least the early evening. Chances
for severe weather with these storms will be limited given the
elevated nature of the storms. Later this evening and especially
through the night, embedded waves rotating around the upper low
combined with a northward shift of the surface low will bring
higher chances for showers and thunderstorms. These storms could
tap more into the high amounts of instability and shear,
although may still remain somewhat elevated. However, the high
amounts of shear (with a shear vector angled to perpendicular
at times) could support rotating yet elevated supercells. Thus
hail up to 2 inches will be the main threat. High 0 to 3 KM
shear and adequate DCAPE would support wind gusts to 70 mph.
This wind could be in excess of 80 mph as some CAMs have the
upper level jet intersecting the MUCAPE axis. This is a lower
confidence scenario but one to keep an eye out for late tonight
into Monday morning. Given the elevated nature of these storms,
the tornado threat is low tonight although an STP greater than
1 and the possibility of supercell interactions will bring at
least some low chances for tornadoes. SPC has maintained a
Marginal to Slight Risk for severe weather potential, mainly for
the storms overnight tonight. Otherwise look for lows in the 50s
and 60s tonight. Any clearing combined with light winds could
bring some patchy fog tonight, although confidence in this
development is low at this time.

Widespread showers and thunderstorms, with isolated to
scattered severe storms, could then be found Monday morning and
throughout the day Monday. SPC has a Marginal to now Slight Risk
for severe weather Monday, with a focus on Monday morning and
any redevelopment Monday afternoon. Fairly similar setup for
late tonight will the upper low moving more into the area and
the surface low moving through. High amounts of shear and cape
will be found during this time period. The angle to the shear
vector is somewhat uncertain as it will depend on the boundary
storms form on. Thus a mix of multi cell and super cells are the
likely. The same hazards will be likely with hail up to 2
inches in diameter, winds to 70 mph, and perhaps an increase to
the isolated tornado threat. Of concern are the potential for
multiple rounds of severe weather Monday, the first being right
way in the morning and the second in the afternoon. Thunderstorm
chances then start to diminish in the evening as the upper low
moves north. Otherwise look for slightly cooler temperatures on
Monday except across the southeast where mid to upper 80s are
forecast. Some higher dewpoints in the southeast could also
bring some moderate heat risk. Chances for showers and
thunderstorms retreat to the north Monday night, with low threat
for severe weather as instability decreases. Lows in the upper
40s to upper 50s are forecast.

Other than a few stray showers or thunderstorms, Tuesday
through Tuesday night then looks mostly dry. NBM forecast today
came in with much stronger west winds for Tuesday, indicating
advisory level winds possible. ECMWF EFI values have increased
somewhat, and are currently highlighting the Highway 2 corridor.
Something to monitor going forward. After which, periodic
showers and thunderstorms are possible through the weekend as
embedded shortwaves within southwesterly to westerly flow aloft
push through the region. Though some uncertainty remains,
deterministic models are in fair agreement that direct Gulf
moisture will frequently be cut off during most, though not
necessarily during all time periods. How this evolves will
highly impact severe potential during the Holiday weekend, as
well as just how high heat indices become.

High temperatures will gradually increase through the week as a
ridge builds over the Northern Plains and Midwest, with the
current NBM favoring the warmest day overall as July 3rd. This
includes the warmest ambient and apparent temperatures. Latest
NBM does show a potential slight cooling trend this weekend as
an upper low breaks down ridging over the Northern Plains.
However, moderate uncertainty remains in regard to the forecast
for the holiday weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 720 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

Mainly VFR ceilings and visibility can be found at all terminals
to begin the 00Z TAF period. Isolated thunderstorms have begun
to develop over portions of north western and portions of south
central North Dakota. Confidence in these thunderstorms
impacting any given terminal is low, as they are expected to be
somewhat pulsey through the early to mid evening. Coverage of
thunderstorms, some strong to severe, is expected to increase
through the late evening into the early overnight period. Have
included PROB30 groups for thunderstorms at most TAF sites
through the morning. Late tonight into early Sunday morning,
MVFR to IFR ceilings are expected to begin spreading across much
of central and portions of northwestern North Dakota. Patchy fog
is also possible west of Highway 83 through the early to mid
morning. Have opted to include LIFR ceilings and IFR visibility
at KJMS with this update. Increasing coverage of showers and
thunderstorms is expected through mid morning into the early
afternoon, with strong to severe storms possible across much of
central North Dakota. Ceilings are expected to begin lifting
from west to east through the afternoon and the end of the TAF
period. Where thunderstorms do develop, gusty and erratic winds
should be anticipated.

 &&

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

&&

UPDATE...Adam
DISCUSSION...Anglin
AVIATION...Adam

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
720 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

NDZ003>005-010-012-013-018>020-022-023-025-033-035>037-040>044-
046>048-050-051-055>062-300030-
Renville-Bottineau-Rolette-Mountrail-McHenry-Pierce-Dunn-Mercer-
Oliver-Sheridan-Wells-Foster-Stark-Burleigh-Kidder-Stutsman-Slope-
Hettinger-Grant-Bowman-Adams-Emmons-Logan-La Moure-McIntosh-
Dickey-Northwest Ward-Central and Southern Ward/Minot Area-
Western McLean-Eastern McLean-Western Morton-Eastern Morton-
Western Sioux-Eastern Sioux-
720 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026 /620 PM MDT Sun Jun 28 2026/

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...Tonight

Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible this
evening through tonight. Main hazards will be hail up to 2 inches
in diameter and wind gusts up to 70 mph. An isolated tornado is
possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible Monday.
Main hazards will be hail up to 2 inches in diameter and wind
gusts up to 70 mph. An isolated tornado is possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

NDZ001-002-009-017-031-032-300030-
Divide-Burke-Williams-McKenzie-Golden Valley-Billings-
720 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026 /620 PM MDT Sun Jun 28 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms may return this evening through tonight
across far western North Dakota. The threat for severe weather in
these areas is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

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.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
524 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

NDZ001-002-282245-
Divide ND-Burke ND-
524 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN BURKE AND
NORTHEASTERN DIVIDE COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM CDT...

At 524 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 6 miles northeast of
Noonan, or 18 miles east of Crosby, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Columbus and Larson.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, seek shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4888 10294 4892 10306 4900 10303 4900 10265
      4884 10282
TIME...MOT...LOC 2224Z 208DEG 31KT 4895 10291

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Hollan

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Bismarck ND
641 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

NDZ002-290015-
Burke ND-
641 PM CDT Sun Jun 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT BURKE COUNTY UNTIL 715 PM CDT...

At 641 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 9 miles northeast of
Powers Lake, or 26 miles north of Stanley, moving northeast at 45
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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.

Locations impacted include...
  Bowbells, Lignite, Portal, Flaxton, Coteau and Northgate.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 4855 10259 4871 10275 4900 10267 4900 10202
      4881 10202 4881 10215 4872 10215 4872 10223
      4855 10223
TIME...MOT...LOC 2341Z 213DEG 37KT 4867 10254

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Hollan