Zone Change 2026

Zone Changes

Effective Tue, March 3, 2026, four county public weather forecast zones for the NWS Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Bismarck, ND (WFO BIS) will be adjusted into different zones. Please read the overview sections below for details, or if you prefer, jump to the images or table below.

Overview

The NWS Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Bismarck, ND (WFO BIS) will change Public Forecast Zones encompassing McLean, Morton, Sioux, and Ward Counties in central North Dakota. The McLean, Morton, Sioux, and Ward Forecast Zones will each be split into two zones. After this change, all forecasts and related products will use the zone numbers and names shown in Table 2 below.

These changes will result in a more geographically precise forecast, improved watch and warning products for the general public, and will enhance web-based graphical product consistency and appearance.

Four current zones will be converted into eight separate zones. These new zones are being divided to optimize issuance of hazard products for conditions that vary significantly in central North Dakota, especially during winter weather and high wind events. The new zones are listed in Table 1.

Zone Changes Old Versus New

Table 1: WFO BIS's Affected Public Weather Forecast Zones

Current Zone Name/ Current UGZ (Z)	New Public/Fire Zone Name / New UGC
NDZ011: Ward	NDZ055: Northwest Ward NDZ056: Central and Southern Ward/Minot Area
NDZ021: McLean	NDZ057: Western McLean NDZ058: Eastern McLean
NDZ034: Morton	NDZ059: Western Morton NDZ060: Eastern Morton
NDZ045: Sioux	NDZ061: Western Sioux NDZ062: Eastern Sioux

Table 2: WFO BIS's Products Affected by These Changes

Product Name	WMO Header	AWIPS ID
Area Forecast Discussion	FXUS63 KBIS	AFDBIS
Flood Watch	WGUS63 KBIS	FFABIS
Hazardous Weather Outlook	FLUS43 KBIS	HWOBIS
Non-Precipitation Weather Message	WWUS73 KBIS	NPWBIS
Point Forecast Matrices	FOUS53 KBIS	PFMBIS
Public Information Statement	NOUS43 KBIS	PNSBIS
Recreational Forecast	SXUS43 KBIS	RECBIS
Regional Weather Forecast	AWUS83 KBIS	RWSBIS
Regional Weather Roundup	ASUS43 KBIS	RWRND
Short Term Forecast	FPUS73 KBIS	NOWBIS
Special Weather Statement	WWUS83 KBIS	SPSBIS
State Forecast Product	FPUS63 KBIS	SFPND
Tabular State Forecast	FPUS63 KBIS	SFTND
Winter Weather Message	WWUS43 KBIS	WSWBIS
Zone Forecast	FPUS53 KBIS	ZFPBIS

If you are affected by these changes, take the appropriate action so your system(s) recognize the new zone (Z) Universal Geographic Codes (UGC) and the new zone alignments.

Updated public and fire zone map shapefiles will soon become available for download at: https://www.weather.gov/gis/AWIPSShapefiles

The proposed changes to the BIS zone boundaries have been closely coordinated with local partners and customers to be ready for implementation on 03, 03, 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Jeffrey Savadel

Meteorologist in Charge

Weather Forecast Office Bismarck

National Weather Service

2301 University Drive, Building 27

Bismarck, North Dakota

Office Phone: (701) 250 4224

Email: jeffrey.savadel@noaa.gov