NWS warns of severe thunderstorms, 85 mph gusts near Jamestown

Jamestown, Medina and nearby rural stretches of Stutsman County faced the strongest threat as severe thunderstorms moved through the area, with the National Weather Service in Bismarck warning of localized wind gusts above 85 mph. The office said residents needed to stay weather aware through the next few hours as storms crossed the region and conditions were expected to worsen late in the afternoon and evening.

The broader outlook called for numerous to widespread severe storms across most of western and central North Dakota, with the main hazards listed as 2-inch hail, damaging winds up to 70 mph and a possible tornado. NWS also said severe thunderstorms were expected to continue through the night across the northern Plains, with gusts of 60 to 100 mph possible, a level of wind that can make travel dangerous, bring down trees and power lines, and damage roofs, barns and other property in open country around Jamestown and Medina.

The warning carried extra weight in Stutsman County because the area has already seen how fast severe weather can turn destructive. On June 2, 2024, a brief tornado touched down just south of Woodworth, Medina received almost 5 inches of rain, and an 88 mph gust was reported a few miles east-southeast of Jamestown. Jamestown also dealt with flash flooding, and Interstate 94 west of Cleveland was temporarily closed because water covered the highway.

NWS Bismarck’s severe weather history pages and event summaries show the office tracks major thunderstorm outbreaks, tornadoes, hail, wind damage and flooding across North Dakota, including Stutsman County. Its SKYWARN program says spotters in the state include emergency response officials, amateur radio operators and trained residents, helping reports reach forecasters as storms intensify. The weather service said severe weather warnings mean people are in danger and need to seek shelter, a message that fit a night when Jamestown, Medina and the surrounding farm country faced some of the highest wind threat in the county’s recent severe-weather history.