Bismarck, North Dakota – Severe thunderstorms threaten nearly all of central and eastern North Dakota overnight, with watches now covering 49 counties from Bismarck and Grand Forks to Devils Lake and Dickinson. Large hail, damaging winds, and the risk of localized flash flooding could create hazardous conditions for travelers through early Friday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 576 remains in effect until 3 a.m. CDT for the central and western counties, including Bottineau, Burleigh, Mercer, Morton, Stark, and Ward. A second watch, number 577, extends coverage for counties in the east, including Cass, Grand Forks, Barnes, and Stutsman, until 7 a.m. CDT. Meteorologists warn drivers to avoid travel on U.S. 83, I-94, and rural highways overnight as heavy rain and high winds could cause rapid ponding and downed branches.
Cities at highest risk include Bismarck, Minot, Devils Lake, Grand Forks, and Fargo, where emergency managers urge residents to keep phones charged and prepare for possible outages. Torrential rain, frequent lightning, and wind gusts over 60 mph could bring tree damage and brief power cuts. Residents should stay indoors and secure outdoor items.
The storm threat is expected to taper off by sunrise Friday, but additional alerts are possible if storms redevelop later in the day. Stay tuned for new warnings from the National Weather Service as conditions evolve.
