Tornado Watch number 649 was issued in the late afternoon of July 16th in anticipation of supercell thunderstorm development. A weak surface trough and low level convergence zone combined with a very unstable air mass with CAPE up to 4,000 Joules per Kilogram over south central North Dakota. This environment proved sufficient for tornadoes to develop.

Tornado in EMMONS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 16-JUL-11 20:47:00 to 16-JUL-11 20:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: LINTON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

This tornado touched down in the open country. Although there were no reports of structural damage associated with this tornado, there were reports of shelterbelt tree and crop damage at two farmsteads. Tree damage corresponded to high end EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale and from that it was determined that wind speeds were around 85 miles per hour.

Flash Flood in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 16-JUL-11 21:07:00 to 17-JUL-11 00:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: SYKESTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Very heavy rain, estimated at near seven inches peak based on radar, fell over southeast Wells County. Roads in the area were flooded and damaged.

Tornado in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 16-JUL-11 18:38:00 to 16-JUL-11 18:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOWDON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

This tornado touched down in the open country. There were no reports of damage associated with this tornado.

Tornado in SHERIDAN, NORTH DAKOTA
From 16-JUL-11 16:46:00 to 16-JUL-11 16:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: PICKARDVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

This tornado crossed from Burleigh into Sheridan County. It was reported by a North Dakota Game Warden and also by professional storm chasers. It was in open country with no buildings impacted, however, large trees were uprooted and snapped, including one that was two and a half feet in diameter. That occurred in Burleigh County, which resulted in the EF1 rating. The tornado weakened and lifted in Sheridan County with no damage reported. The tornado damage, from Burleigh County,  corresponded to EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale and from that it was determined that wind speeds with the tornado were on the order of 100 miles per hour. This tornado crossed into Sheridan County from Burleigh. See the entry for Burleigh County.

Tornado in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 16-JUL-11 18:31:00 to 16-JUL-11 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOWDON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

This tornado touched down in the open country. There were no reports of damage associated with this tornado.

Funnel Cloud in FOSTER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 16-JUL-11 19:41:00 to 16-JUL-11 19:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC HENRY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Funnel Cloud in KIDDER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 16-JUL-11 20:30:00 to 16-JUL-11 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE WILLIAMS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Tornado in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 16-JUL-11 16:35:00 to 16-JUL-11 16:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: REGAN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

This tornado crossed from Burleigh into Sheridan County. It was reported by a North Dakota Game Warden and also by professional storm chasers. It was in open country with no buildings impacted, however, large trees were uprooted and snapped, including one that was two and a half feet in diameter. The tornado damage corresponded to EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale and from that it was determined that wind speeds with the tornado were on the order of 100 miles per hour. This tornado crossed into Sheridan County. See the entry for Sheridan County.