National Weather Service Issues Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Across Montana and North Dakota
The National Weather Service has issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings across northeastern Montana, northwestern North Dakota and northeastern Nebraska, along with a flash flood warning in Nebraska and a red flag warning in Colorado.
Active Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Montana
The National Weather Service in Glasgow has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northeastern Wibaux County in northeastern Montana, southeastern Roosevelt County in northeastern Montana, northeastern McCone County in northeastern Montana, central Dawson County in northeastern Montana and Richland County in northeastern Montana until 1:00 AM MDT. [1] At 11:53 PM MDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 9 miles southwest of Culbertson. [1] A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning from the same office covers eastern Sheridan County in northeastern Montana until 12:45 AM MDT. [3] At 11:43 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 12 miles northeast of Medicine Lake, or 16 miles southeast of Plentywood, moving northeast at 15 mph. [3] This storm produces 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail according to radar indications. [3] Hail damage to vehicles is expected along with wind damage to roofs, siding and trees. [3] These warnings address storms moving along lines in the northeastern part of the state with hazards focused on wind and hail impacts. [1] [3]
Thunderstorm Warning Issued for North Dakota
The National Weather Service in Bismarck has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Divide County in northwestern North Dakota and northwestern Williams County in northwestern North Dakota until 1:15 AM CDT. [5] At 12:31 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from 8 miles southwest of Crosby to 9 miles southwest of Alamo, or along a line from 8 miles southwest of Crosby to 23 miles north of Williston, moving southeast at 20 mph. [5] The primary hazard involves 60 mph wind gusts. [5] These storms continue to track across the northwestern counties with potential for damaging winds as they advance. [5]
Flash Flooding Threatens Northeastern Nebraska
The National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley has issued a Flash Flood Warning for northeastern Cedar County in northeastern Nebraska until 3:45 AM CDT. [2] At 12:49 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area with between 2 and 3 inches of rain already fallen. [2] The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour with additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches possible in the warned area. [2] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the region. [2]
Red Flag Warning for Colorado Fire Weather
A Red Flag Warning covers the Upper Arkansas River Valley including Lake County and Chaffee County. [4] The affected area includes Fire Weather Zones 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229 and 230. [4] Winds are west 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph and relative humidity as low as 4 percent. [4] Impacts include fires that will catch and spread quickly with a recommendation to exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning. [4]
Overview of Current Alerts
The National Weather Service offices in Glasgow, Bismarck and Omaha/Valley have coordinated multiple warnings covering severe thunderstorms in Montana and North Dakota along with flash flooding in Nebraska. [1] [3] [5] [2] These alerts coincide with a separate Red Flag Warning for fire weather zones in Colorado's Upper Arkansas River Valley. [4] The simultaneous issuance reflects active severe weather patterns across the northern Plains and adjacent areas with distinct hazards of wind, hail, flooding and fire spread. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Residents in the warned zones face specific time-limited threats tied to ongoing storm movement and rainfall rates.
What to watch next: Continued monitoring of storm lines moving southeast in North Dakota and northeast in Montana along with rainfall rates that could extend flash flooding in Nebraska through the overnight hours.
