National Weather ServiceNorth DakotaRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in North Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 16 red flag warnings for North Dakota in 2025 and 17 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 20th most of any state. 2026 through September: 26, 75% above the average of 15 for those months in 2008-2025. Slope was covered most often (191 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does North Dakota get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of North Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 26 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2021 | 44 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2012 | 58 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2008 | 45 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does North Dakota get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in North Dakota?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slope | 191 | 27 | September 10, 2026 |
| Bowman | 188 | 27 | September 10, 2026 |
| Billings | 187 | 27 | September 10, 2026 |
| Golden Valley | 184 | 27 | September 10, 2026 |
| Stark | 176 | 25 | September 10, 2026 |
| Hettinger | 173 | 23 | September 10, 2026 |
| Adams | 171 | 23 | September 10, 2026 |
| McKenzie | 165 | 23 | September 10, 2026 |
| Dunn | 158 | 21 | September 10, 2026 |
| Sioux | 145 | 23 | September 10, 2026 |
| Grant | 143 | 22 | September 10, 2026 |
| Morton | 129 | 24 | September 10, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest red flag warnings for North Dakota in AreaZine's record
NWS BismarckWarningSeptember 9, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Mercer, Oliver, Morton and 2 more, ND
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, September 10, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningSeptember 4, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Golden Valley, ND
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, September 4, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningAugust 6, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Williams, ND
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, August 6, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningAugust 2, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Mercer, Oliver, Morton and 2 more, ND
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, August 3, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningJuly 20, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Morton, Grant, Sioux and 1 more, ND
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, July 20, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningMay 27, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Divide, Williams, McKenzie and 4 more, ND
Expired 10:00 p.m. CDT, May 28, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningMay 26, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Divide, Williams, McKenzie and 4 more, ND
Expired 10:00 p.m. CDT, May 27, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningMay 26, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Divide, Williams, McKenzie and 4 more, ND
Expired 10:00 p.m. CDT, May 26, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning means critical fire weather is happening or about to happen: strong wind, very low humidity and dry fuels together, so a fire that starts can spread fast. Each office sets the criteria with its land-management partners. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in North Dakota.