A deep low pressure system developed over eastern Montana and lifted northeast. As it did, a cold front pushed into western North Dakota. Ahead of the front, impressive instability developed over the central part of the state as moisture surged into the area. Thunderstorms rapidly developed over north central North Dakota as the front pushed into the area. The strongest storms were over Rolette County. One storm produced a large tornado near Agate, that damaged a farmstead before crossing into Towner County, causing additional damage. The largest hail was also reported in Rolette County, where three inch diameter hail fell near Dunseith. A line of storms then developed southward along the front in the late evening, with an 81 mph wind gust in Dickey County near Ellendale.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 16:50:00 to 03-AUG-16 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MYLO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter estimated thunderstorm wind gusts of 60 mph.

Funnel Cloud in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 19:05:00 to 03-AUG-16 19:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMBERG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in MCINTOSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 21:00:00 to 03-AUG-16 21:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: VENTURA
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in DICKEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 22:42:00 to 03-AUG-16 22:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELLENDALE
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Tornado in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 16:28:00 to 03-AUG-16 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MYLO
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 600.00K
Crop damage: 350.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A long tracked tornado developed about six miles south of Mylo, Rolette County, North Dakota, and traveled northeast before crossing into Towner County just northeast of Agate, along highway 66. The tornado did significant damage to two farmsteads in Rolette County, destroying pole barns and grain bins and damaging equipment. Crops were flattened along the tornado path. The tornado was highly publicized as national media showed a live feed from a storm chaser. This was a long tracked tornado of around 20 miles, about eight miles in Rolette County and 12 in Towner County. There were no injuries and no deaths with the tornado in either county. Based on the damage done its maximum rating was  EF2 in Rolette and EF2 in Towner. From that, wind speeds were estimated to have been around 120 mph. See the tornado entry from Towner County, National Weather Service Grand Forks forecast area, for more details from Towner County.

Hail in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 15:21:00 to 03-AUG-16 15:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUGBY
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 450.00K
Crop damage: 175.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Large hail occurred in the city of Rugby, with the largest hail falling near the intersection of US Highway 2 and ND Highway 3 on the south end of town. Damage occurred to structures and automobiles, and south of town to crops.

Hail in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 15:01:00 to 03-AUG-16 15:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: BALTA
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in BOTTINEAU, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 15:18:00 to 03-AUG-16 15:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOTTINEAU ARPT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 15:20:00 to 03-AUG-16 15:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAN HAVEN
Magnitude: 3.00 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 150.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 15:35:00 to 03-AUG-16 15:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: THORNE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in PIERCE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 15:45:00 to 03-AUG-16 15:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLFORD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 16:10:00 to 03-AUG-16 16:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: THORNE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 16:50:00 to 03-AUG-16 16:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MYLO
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in ROLETTE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 17:10:00 to 03-AUG-16 17:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: MYLO
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in WELLS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 03-AUG-16 18:41:00 to 03-AUG-16 18:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEIMDAL
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public