Friday’s Severe Weather Threat For ND: Powerful T-Storms Possible

Rain Desperatly Needed

North Dakota is getting dry. We have drought conditions on both the west and east sides of the state, and we are drying up in central North Dakota too. Just looking at the landscape around the Bismarck-Mandan area, it's gone from a lush green in June to a yellowish brown in July.

The heatwaves sure haven't helped the cause with our lack of rain. Another is set to roll in starting tomorrow, with temps in the 90s climbing into the 100s for the weekend, and 90s will be the norm next week too. YIKES! I can't wait to see my air conditioning bill for July.

Severe Weather Possible Friday

We need the moisture, but we sure don't need hail, wind, or tornadoes. Unfortunately, those are all on the table for Friday, July 24th, for much of North Dakota, according to the National Weather Service. Take a look at this map.

Main Threats, Timing and Impacts

Golf ball-sized hail, 70-mile-per-hour winds, and even a tornado or two are possible. We are in the Level 2 threat for severe weather in the Capital Region, and that extends from south-central North Dakota into northeast North Dakota.

All the ingredients are in place for severe weather to develop tomorrow; it just depends if the warm layer of air aloft prevents storms from firing. We officially have a 40% chance of thunderstorms developing tomorrow afternoon and evening.