Severe Thunderstorm Watch number 537 was issued for west and north central North Dakota in the late afternoon hours of Monday, July 26th. This was in anticipation of thunderstorms developing and increasing in intensity during the evening along a west to east oriented surface front, stretching from northeastern Montana into north central North Dakota. Organized storm development was expected as a mid level short wave impulse lifted into northeastern Montana, combined with a moderately unstable atmosphere and ample deep layer wind shear.
Early in the evening, Tornado Watch number 538 was issued for northern North Dakota, where low boundary layer dew point depressions and stronger low level wind shear coincided. This was also where isolated severe thunderstorms were ongoing, along with one confirmed tornado touchdown having already occurred.
Numerous severe thunderstorm and several tornado warnings were issued. Numerous reports of large hail, several reports of severe thunderstorm wind gusts, one report of flash flooding, and two confirmed tornadoes occurred during this episode.

Hail in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 18:59:00 to 26-JUL-10 19:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: GARRISON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 19:07:00 to 26-JUL-10 19:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: (MIB)MINOT AFB
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 19:22:00 to 26-JUL-10 19:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: EMERSON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Estimated winds of 60 mph resulted in some minor tree damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 19:18:00 to 26-JUL-10 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BALFOUR
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The strong thunderstorm winds blew down several trees.

Tornado in SLOPE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 16:38:00 to 26-JUL-10 16:50:00 (MST-7)
Location: AMIDON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado occurred in open country and impacted no structures. There was no damage. The tornado was produced by a high based thunderstorm and was visible from as far away as Beach, North Dakota, around 40 miles away. The tornado was rated EF0. The National Weather Service received no fewer than five reports of the event in real time, from different directions. This made it difficult in determining exactly where the tornado occurred. Location was determined with assistance of the Slope County Sheriff.

Tornado in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 19:13:00 to 26-JUL-10 19:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: BALFOUR
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A brief tornado touchdown occurred at a farmstead near Balfour. The tornado destroyed an outbuilding and did no other damage. The damage was consistent with EF0 tornado damage from the Enhanced Fujita Scale. From that it was determined that the wind speeds were around 80 mph.

Flash Flood in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 20:31:00 to 26-JUL-10 22:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: DRAKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Officials reported up to two feet of water covering streets in Drake. The Mayor of Drake reported street damage from the water in the northwest corner of the town. Water damage was also reported to homes due to water entering basements.

Tornado in BURKE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 17:50:00 to 26-JUL-10 17:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: COTEAU
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

This tornado occurred in the open country. It was on the ground briefly and impacted no structures. There was no damage. The tornado was rated EF0.

Hail in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 20:45:00 to 26-JUL-10 20:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRING BROOK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 21:00:00 to 26-JUL-10 21:10:00 (MST-7)
Location: FRYBURG
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Property damage: 95.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Intense thunderstorm winds resulted in damage to outbuildings on a farm. Specifically, one pole barn was destroyed, with the debris from the pole barn damaging two grain bins, a small garage, and vehicles on the farm. Based on reports from local officials and photographs of the damage, it was determined a microburst occurred.

Hail in BURKE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 17:10:00 to 26-JUL-10 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: KINCAID
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 16:55:00 to 26-JUL-10 17:04:00 (MST-7)
Location: REEDER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The severe thunderstorm winds were accompanied by large hail.

Hail in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 18:05:00 to 26-JUL-10 18:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWYER
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

This was the first of two waves of large hail to impact the community of Sawyer during this episode.

Hail in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 18:09:00 to 26-JUL-10 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: KENMARE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in WARD, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 18:19:00 to 26-JUL-10 18:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWYER
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

This was the second of two waves of large hail to impact Sawyer during this episode.

Hail in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 18:23:00 to 26-JUL-10 18:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: VELVA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 20:07:00 to 26-JUL-10 20:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: BALFOUR
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The strong thunderstorm winds resulted in extensive tree damage and destroyed a pole barn.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 20:03:00 to 26-JUL-10 20:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: GARRISON
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 150.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The strong winds combined with large hail resulting in extensive damage in and around the city of Garrison. Damage was sustained to a building under construction west of Garrison, several trees being uprooted, a railroad crossing twisted off, and crop damage reported to fields south and southwest of Garrison.

Hail in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 18:35:00 to 26-JUL-10 18:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: VELVA
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 18:49:00 to 26-JUL-10 18:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: VOLTAIRE
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 19:24:00 to 26-JUL-10 19:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: BALFOUR
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 18:55:00 to 26-JUL-10 19:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: EMMET
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Large hail was reported at the Triangle Y Camp, resulting in damage to vehicles. One person was injured when a hailstone struck the person's foot.

Hail in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 18:55:00 to 26-JUL-10 19:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: EMMET
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The large hail was accompanied by 50 mph winds at Camp of the Cross. Damage was sustained to vehicles along with broken windows on a chapel.

Hail in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 19:28:00 to 26-JUL-10 19:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: DRAKE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 20:00:00 to 26-JUL-10 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: GARRISON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in DUNN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 18:00:00 to 26-JUL-10 18:11:00 (MST-7)
Location: HALLIDAY
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 150.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail up to two inches in diameter was observed in Halliday.  Reports of crop damage were received, along with broken windows in Halliday.

Hail in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 19:42:00 to 26-JUL-10 20:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOWNER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 20:12:00 to 26-JUL-10 20:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORRIN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy Rain in MCHENRY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 20:15:00 to 26-JUL-10 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: DRAKE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Delete.

Funnel Cloud in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 20:38:00 to 26-JUL-10 20:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVEY ARPT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A brief funnel cloud appeared before quickly dissipating.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCLEAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 20:42:00 to 26-JUL-10 20:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: MERCER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees four to five inches in diameter were blown down.

Hail in BILLINGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 26-JUL-10 16:55:00 to 26-JUL-10 17:04:00 (MST-7)
Location: FRYBURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The large hail was accompanied by severe thunderstorm winds. This combination resulted in damage to windows and siding on the west side of a home.