Western North Dakota Braces For ‘Twisters’-Like Weather Event

Western North Dakota could resemble the upcoming movie Twisters on Thursday.

According to the Storm Prediction Center from the National Weather Service, western North Dakota is in a Level 2 threat for severe weather.  Here's that map.

This includes part of our listening area to the west of the Capital Region.  The Storm Prediction Center mentions that Thursday could bring this area hail, strong straight-line winds, and the possibility of Tornadoes.  Supercell thunderstorms are expected to develop.

Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer agrees with the Storm Prediction Center/National Weather Service.

Check out this post he made earlier today.  Not only does he agree but it appears he is coming to western North Dakota to do some storm chasing on Thursday.

"All hazards possible including gorilla hail (I've never heard that term before) and tornadoes".  Yep, North Dakota could look like the movie "Twisters" on Thursday.  Somebody get "Dorthy" ready to go.

The National Weather Service is a little less animated about Thursday's severe weather potential saying, "Severe storms are possible late Thursday afternoon through Thursday night, especially in western North Dakota."

Timing of these storms for Thursday?

Storms will move in from eastern Montana Thursday afternoon and affect western North Dakota as they continue to move east into central North Dakota by evening.  Potential hazards include hail up to the size of golf balls, damaging winds up to 60 miles per hour, and possibly a tornado or two.

Our meteorologists with Severe Studios will continue to monitor the situation for you.  Be weather-aware on Thursday.