Enhanced Chance For Severe Weather In North Dakota Today

The Storm Prediction Center and the National Weather Service have expanded the area in North Dakota that could see severe weather today.

Yesterday this map only showed a small area in south-central and southeast North Dakota.  Now, the map shows a much bigger area in south-central North Dakota, including Bismarck, Mandan, Lincoln, and many other cities in our listening area. Here's that map!

Thunderstorms are likely to develop later this afternoon and some of them could become severe.

As you can see by the map above we are now at a level 2 risk for severe weather over most of south-central and southeast North Dakota.  The risk area also includes parts of southwestern North Dakota.

The main threat for these storms will be hail and wind, but a tornado has not been ruled out either.

The National Weather Service in Bismarck says these thunderstorms could contain large hail up to two inches in diameter and damaging winds up to 70 miles per hour, with a tornado or two possible.

Let's hope the tornadoes stay away.  They have been pounding places like Iowa and Nebraska all week. They are leaving behind millions of dollars in devastation.

Expect much cooler weather on Friday with highs in the 50s with showers in the morning followed by very stiff northwest winds.

The rest of the Memorial Day weekend looks nice for Saturday and a chance of showers on Sunday and Monday.

Be weather-aware later this afternoon; we will be sure to keep you updated.