Straight-line winds, large hail and heavy rains blew through western North Dakota on Wednesday night.

"There is a line of thunderstorms in the western part of the state," said Rich Leblang, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Bismarck.

This was the storm the weather service expected, he said. It was moving into central North Dakota by about 10 p.m. By that point, the storm had spawned possible tornado sightings, which led to a tornado watch. No reports were confirmed by press time.

Heavy rain caused water on the road on Highway 10 near Belfield. No precipitation totals were available, Leblang said.

The weather is expected to improve through the end of the week.

- Sara Kincaid