Outdoor siren test goes silent on November 1 | News, sports, jobs

Beginning November 1, Minot Central Dispatch will cease sound testing of the Minot City Area Outdoor Warning System, as well as outdoor warning sirens located in Ward County cities, in preparation for colder weather conditions, according to Ward County Emergency Management.

The last sound test is scheduled to be carried out on Monday, October 28th at 9:30 am. External warning sirens will still be tested regularly using a “silent mode” to ensure they are still operating correctly internally.

This is done to protect outdoor warning sirens during the winter months and ensure they remain operational, Ward County Emergency Management said in a news release. An audible activation during cold weather may inadvertently damage the siren. Because of this, an audible activation in winter conditions would normally only be used during an actual emergency.

Regularly scheduled sound testing is expected to resume in May 2025.