National Weather ServiceNorth DakotaSevere Thunderstorm WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 421 severe thunderstorm warnings for North Dakota in 2025 and 333 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 32nd most of any state. 2026 through September: 447, 35% above the average of 332 for those months in 2008-2025. Morton was covered most often (625 times since 2008).
How many severe thunderstorm warnings does North Dakota get?
Every severe thunderstorm warning that covered part of North Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 447 |
| 2025 | 421 |
| 2024 | 296 |
| 2023 | 208 |
| 2022 | 277 |
| 2021 | 254 |
| 2020 | 465 |
| 2019 | 361 |
| 2018 | 370 |
| 2017 | 236 |
| 2016 | 400 |
| 2015 | 265 |
| 2014 | 178 |
| 2013 | 308 |
| 2012 | 246 |
| 2011 | 431 |
| 2010 | 531 |
| 2009 | 213 |
| 2008 | 539 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morton | 625 | 126 | September 6, 2026 |
| McLean | 498 | 105 | September 8, 2026 |
| Grant | 480 | 91 | September 5, 2026 |
| Cass | 448 | 75 | September 28, 2026 |
| McKenzie | 447 | 89 | September 7, 2026 |
| Dunn | 436 | 82 | September 29, 2026 |
| Ward | 418 | 85 | September 7, 2026 |
| Burleigh | 417 | 93 | August 31, 2026 |
| Mercer | 394 | 81 | September 29, 2026 |
| Mountrail | 362 | 58 | September 6, 2026 |
| Stutsman | 357 | 83 | August 31, 2026 |
| Hettinger | 353 | 81 | September 23, 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 severe thunderstorm warnings for North Dakota in AreaZine's record
NWS Grand ForksWarningSeptember 28, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Clay and Cass, MN and ND
Expired 6:15 p.m. CDT, September 28, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningSeptember 23, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Adams, Bowman, Hettinger and 2 more, ND
Expired 6:45 p.m. CDT, September 23, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningSeptember 7, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: McHenry, McLean, Pierce and 2 more, ND
Expired 8:00 p.m. CDT, September 7, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningSeptember 6, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Dunn and McKenzie, ND
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, September 6, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningSeptember 6, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Marshall, Pennington, Polk and 3 more, MN and ND
Expired 7:15 p.m. CDT, September 6, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningSeptember 6, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: McKenzie and Mountrail, ND
Expired 6:15 p.m. CDT, September 6, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningSeptember 6, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Morton, ND
Expired 1:00 p.m. CDT, September 6, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningSeptember 6, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: McLean and Mercer, ND
Expired 12:15 p.m. CDT, September 6, 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 severe thunderstorm warning?
A severe thunderstorm warning means a storm is producing, or is about to produce, hail one inch across or larger and/or winds of 58 mph or more. 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.