McKenzie County Storm Activity
Wind, hail, and tornado activity from official NOAA sources (NWS & SPC) · Last 180 days · Updated Sep 11, 2026
McKenzie County, North Dakota has recorded tornado activity: official National Weather Service (NWS) and Storm Prediction Center (SPC) records list 1 tornado report among 87 severe weather events here in the last 180 days, alongside 27 hail reports with hail up to 2" and 59 high-wind reports with gusts up to 70 mph. The most recent recorded storm activity was in September 2026. This page updates daily: every event comes straight from official NOAA data — no estimates, no modeling, just the record.
What the radar showed
Last 30 days in McKenzie County
Recent storms — full detail available in the app
Storm activity from the last 30 days is summarized at the county level on this page. Exact locations, radar snapshots, and official warning boundaries for recent events are available with a free account.
See the specifics — free →Storm log — the official record, day by day
Events older than 30 days, as recorded by the National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center. Excerpts are quoted directly from official warnings and verified reports.
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
1 NWS warning — hail up to 0.5"
“At 244 PM CDT /144 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong thunderstorms extending from 5 miles south of Grassy Butte to 8 miles northeast of Rhame, or extending from 34 miles south of Watford City to 13 miles northwest of Bowman, moving east at 30 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch size hail.”
- Hail 0.5" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Thursday, July 9, 2026
3 NWS warnings — hail up to 0.5"
“At 815 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12 miles east of Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit, or 21 miles southeast of Watford City, moving east at 25 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include...”
“At 734 AM CDT /634 AM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms centered over Arnegard, or 5 miles west of Watford City, moving east at 40 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch size hail. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include...”
- Hail 0.5" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Hail 0.5" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Hail 0.5" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Monday, July 6, 2026
1 NWS warning — hail up to 0.5"
“At 335 AM CDT /235 AM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13 miles southwest of Ross, or 19 miles southwest of Stanley, moving northeast at 55 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch size hail. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include...”
- Hail 0.5" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Friday, July 3, 2026
1 NWS warning — hail up to 0.25"
“At 1024 PM CDT /924 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong thunderstorms extending from 8 miles north of Alkabo to 13 miles south of Golva, or extending from 28 miles west of Crosby to 25 miles south of Beach, moving east at 25 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea size hail. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
- Hail 0.25" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
1 SPC verified storm report — hail up to 1"
“Public report relayed by broadcast media. (BIS)”
- Hail 1" 10 NNE Skaar SPC verified report
Monday, June 29, 2026
1 NWS warning — hail up to 0.5"
“At 730 PM CDT /630 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong thunderstorms extending from over Grassy Butte to 11 miles north of South Heart, or extending from 27 miles south of Watford City to 15 miles northwest of Dickinson, moving east at 30 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch size hail.”
- Hail 0.5" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Friday, June 26, 2026
1 SPC verified storm report — wind gusts up to 63 mph
“Mesonet station 321480 6 NNW Charbonneau (NDAWN). (BIS)”
- Wind 63 mph 6 NNW Charbonneau SPC verified report
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
1 NWS warning — hail up to 0.75"
“At 1247 AM CDT /1147 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13 miles south of Ray, or 23 miles east of Williston, moving east at 40 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include...”
- Hail 0.75" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Sunday, June 7, 2026
3 NWS warnings — hail up to 0.75", wind gusts up to 55 mph
“At 1235 AM CDT /1135 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a line of showers and thunderstorms extending from 15 miles west of Grassy Butte to 12 miles south of South Heart, or extending from 35 miles south of Watford City to 14 miles southwest of Dickinson, moving northeast at 15 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.”
“At 157 AM CDT /1257 AM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11 miles south of Arnegard, or 13 miles southwest of Watford City, moving northeast at 40 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include...”
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Hail 0.75" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Hail 0.5" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Saturday, June 6, 2026
3 SPC verified storm reports · 1 NWS warning — hail up to 2", wind gusts up to 67 mph
“Relayed through social media. Time estimated from radar. (BIS)”
“Relayed from broadcast media. Time estimated from radar. (BIS)”
- Hail 2" Arnegard SPC verified report
- Hail 2" 5 N Alexander SPC verified report
- Hail 1.5" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 67 mph 3 SW Watford City SPC verified report
Monday, June 1, 2026
2 NWS warnings — hail up to 0.25", wind gusts up to 55 mph
“At 1118 PM CDT/1018 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong thunderstorms across western North Dakota, moving northeast at around 45 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include...”
“At 1022 PM CDT /922 PM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12 miles north of Sentinel Butte, or 17 miles northeast of Beach, moving northeast at 45 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea size hail. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include...”
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Hail 0.25" McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Friday, May 29, 2026
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 50 mph
“WHAT...Southeast winds to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. WHERE...Portions of western and central North Dakota. WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ this evening. IMPACTS...Items left unsecured outside will be blown around.”
- Wind 50 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Friday, May 15, 2026
6 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 50 mph
“WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. WHERE...Much of southwest North Dakota. WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ this evening. IMPACTS...Objects left unsecured outside will be blown around. ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Gusty winds may bring patchy blowing dust and reduced visibility today.”
“WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. WHERE...Much of southwest North Dakota. WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ this evening. IMPACTS...Things left unsecured outside will be blown around.”
- Wind 50 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Thursday, May 14, 2026
17 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 70 mph
“WHAT...For the Blowing Dust Warning, widespread blowing dust with visibility as low as a quarter mile. For the High Wind Warning, west winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. WHERE...Much of northwest and north central North Dakota. WHEN...For the Blowing Dust Warning, until 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ this evening. For the High Wind Warning, until 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ Friday.”
“WHAT...For the Blowing Dust Warning, widespread blowing dust with visibility as low as a quarter mile. For the High Wind Warning, west winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. WHERE...Much of northwest and north central North Dakota. WHEN...For the Blowing Dust Warning, until 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ this evening. For the High Wind Warning, until 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ Friday.”
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 70 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- + 5 more events this day — full detail in the app
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
6 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 65 mph
“WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, south winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. For the High Wind Warning, west winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected. WHERE...Much of northwest North Dakota. WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 10 AM CDT /9 AM MDT/ Thursday. For the High Wind Warning, from 10 AM CDT /9 AM MDT/ Thursday to 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ Friday.”
“WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, south winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. For the High Wind Warning, west winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected. WHERE...Much of northwest North Dakota. WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 10 AM CDT /9 AM MDT/ Thursday. For the High Wind Warning, from 10 AM CDT /9 AM MDT/ Thursday to 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ Friday.”
- Wind 65 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 65 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 65 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 65 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 65 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 65 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Friday, April 24, 2026
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 50 mph
“WHAT...West winds around 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. WHERE...Much of western and north central North Dakota. WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ this evening. IMPACTS...Things left unsecured outside will be blown around. ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The strong winds, combined with scattered snow showers could produce on and off brief periods of low visibilities this afternoon.”
- Wind 50 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Thursday, April 23, 2026
6 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 55 mph
“WHAT...West-northwest winds around 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph. WHERE...Western and central North Dakota. WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ this evening. IMPACTS...Items left unsecured outside will be blown around.”
“WHAT...Northwest winds around 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph. WHERE...Most of western North Dakota. WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ this evening. IMPACTS...Items left unsecured outside will be blown around.”
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
4 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 55 mph
“At 838 PM CDT, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms were producing strong wind gusts across northern McKenzie, Williams, and Divide Counties. Hazard: Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph. Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include...”
“WHAT...West winds around 30 mph with gusts to 55 mph expected. WHERE...Much of western North Dakota. WHEN...From 7 AM CDT /6 AM MDT/ to 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ Thursday. IMPACTS...Items left unsecured outside will be blown around.”
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
3 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 55 mph
“WHAT...West winds around 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected. WHERE...Western and Central North Dakota WHEN...From 9 AM CDT /8 AM MDT/ to 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ Wednesday. IMPACTS...Objects left unsecured outside will be blown around.”
“WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. WHERE...Portions of north central, northwest, south central, southeast, and southwest North Dakota. WHEN...From 9 AM CDT /8 AM MDT/ to 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ Wednesday. IMPACTS...Objects left unsecured outside will be blown around.”
- Wind 55 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph McKenzie County NWS severe weather mention
Today's severe weather outlook
Common questions
When was the last severe storm in McKenzie County, ND?
The most recent recorded event was in September 2026. Official NWS and SPC records show 87 severe weather events in McKenzie County over the last 180 days. Exact dates and locations for recent storms are available in the app with a free account.
Has there been hail in McKenzie County recently?
Yes — 27 hail reports in the last 180 days, with hail up to 2" recorded.
How do I check whether a specific address was affected?
Create a free IDOLCheck account and run an address check. It shows verified storm reports and official NWS warning boundaries around any specific property — county-level pages like this one only tell part of the story.