A surface trough over eastern Montana nudging into western North Dakota served as the focus for thunderstorm development in a highly sheared environment. Initial severe thunderstorms moved into northwest North Dakota from Montana, with additional development following over southwest North Dakota. A tornado developed over Hettinger County and struck the northeast part of the city of Mott, causing damage that corresponded to EF1. Most of the severe weather remained over western North Dakota, though a late night severe storm developed over northern Burleigh County, causing extensive wind damage to a farmstead near the city of Regan. During this episode, the largest hail reported was golf ball size and fell in Stark County. The strongest wind gusts were 90 mph, and occurred in Hettinger and Burleigh counties.

Thunderstorm Wind in DIVIDE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 12-JUL-19 18:07:00 to 12-JUL-19 18:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALKABO
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Thunderstorm Wind in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 12-JUL-19 19:35:00 to 12-JUL-19 19:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: TIOGA
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Hail in STARK, NORTH DAKOTA
From 12-JUL-19 19:35:00 to 12-JUL-19 19:38:00 (MST-7)
Location: LEFOR
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in WILLIAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 12-JUL-19 19:40:00 to 12-JUL-19 19:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: TIOGA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An eight inch diameter tree branch was broken.

Tornado in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 12-JUL-19 20:24:00 to 12-JUL-19 20:32:00 (MST-7)
Location: MOTT
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 1.60M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The tornado touched down roughly two miles north-northwest of Mott, and tracked to the south-southeast before lifting about one mile east-southeast of town, having passed through the northeast corner of the city. Extensive tree damage occurred in Mott, mostly from high winds associated with the Rear-Flank Downdraft of the tornado. Farm bins were torn from their foundations, a shed was destroyed, and a very large building on the fairgrounds was collapsed. Near the intersection of ND Highway 8 and 21 the roof was torn from a storage facility. A house just east of there, along ND Highway 21, had the attached garage shifted off its foundation and collapsed. Based on the damage done this tornado was rated EF1 with estimated wind speeds around 105 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in MOUNTRAIL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 12-JUL-19 20:32:00 to 12-JUL-19 20:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: STANLEY MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated by a trained spotter.

Hail in ADAMS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 12-JUL-19 21:15:00 to 12-JUL-19 21:20:00 (MST-7)
Location: HAYNES
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Public

Extensive crop damage occurred with the hail.

Hail in MERCER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 12-JUL-19 21:20:00 to 12-JUL-19 21:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEULAH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 12-JUL-19 21:25:00 to 12-JUL-19 21:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: HANNOVER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 12-JUL-19 23:10:00 to 12-JUL-19 23:13:00 (MST-7)
Location: REGENT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in BURLEIGH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 13-JUL-19 00:20:00 to 13-JUL-19 00:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: REGAN
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Straight line winds severely damaged five large steel grain bins at a farm site. A separate hopper-style bin was rolled into a field. In addition, half of the roof on a new pole barn shop was torn off with insulation blown out. Crops in the area were also severely damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in HETTINGER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 12-JUL-19 20:24:00 to 12-JUL-19 20:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: MOTT
Magnitude: 78.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind gust was measured as a tornado passed to the east of the NDAWN (North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network) sensor located on the north side of Mott, just off the west side of ND Highway 8. These winds may have been in conjunction with a rear-flank downdraft.