Tornado History

North Dakota Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for North Dakota. The local dataset contains 1,782 tornado records from 1950 through 2025, with a strongest listed rating of F5 (Incredible damage) and at least $190.7M in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is September 18, 2025. Across these records, NOAA lists 29 deaths and 364 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes1,782
Total Deaths29
Total Injuries364
Property Damage$190.7M
Avg Length2.5 mi
Avg Width72 yd

Key Tornado Facts for North Dakota

Top local patterns from the historical tornado records in this group.

Average 23.4 tornadoes per year (26.6/yr in last decade)
June is the peak tornado month with 685 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: F5 in North Dakota with 10 deaths
2025 was the most active year with 91 tornadoes
The 2000s had the most tornado activity (378 events)
Longest tornado: 47.5 miles in North Dakota
Widest tornado: 2,000.0 yards in North Dakota
Most tornadoes in one day: 29 on Jun 20, 2025

Monthly Distribution

Shows tornado frequency across months of the year, highlighting seasonal patterns and peak tornado periods.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Summary: In North Dakota, June is the most active month with 685 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

Shows year-by-year tornado counts, making active years and quiet stretches easier to spot.

9161310

Summary: 2025 was the most active year with 91 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
F4
EF4
F5
EF5
Unknown
EFU

Summary: F0 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 676 recorded events.

Property Damage Trends

Visualizes reported property damage over time. Bars use a log-like scale so very large damage years do not flatten the rest of the chart.

$56.0M$5.6M$560K$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 2007 with at least $56.0M in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

Compares the counties with the most tornado records in this state dataset.

Cass
Grand Forks
Barnes
Richland
Burleigh
Stutsman
Ward
Morton
Walsh
Ramsey
Benson
McLean
Steele
Cavalier
Pembina
Emmons
Nelson
La Moure
Griggs
McHenry

Summary: Cass County has the highest count in this state group with 109 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

F5 June 20, 19571957F5 May 29, 19531953F5 May 29, 19531953EF5 June 20, 20252025EF4 August 26, 20072007F4 June 29, 19751975F4 July 4, 19781978F4 July 18, 20042004F4 June 6, 19991999F4 August 11, 20022002F4 July 1, 19521952F4 July 1, 19521952F4 July 2, 19551955F4 July 5, 19551955F4 June 29, 1975EF4 August 7, 2010EF4 June 17, 2010EF4 June 17, 2010EF4 June 20, 2025EF3 July 8, 2009F3 June 26, 1986EF3 July 7, 2008EF3 August 12, 2010EF3 August 12, 2010EF3 July 17, 2011F3 June 13, 1950F3 June 18, 1956F3 August 30, 1956F3 August 23, 1968F3 August 23, 1968F3 June 21, 1971F3 July 1, 1973F3 July 1, 1973F3 June 15, 1973F3 June 16, 1973F3 May 20, 1974F3 May 25, 1978F3 July 30, 1981F3 July 30, 1981F3 July 21, 1987F3 July 18, 2001F3 June 14, 1950F3 July 1, 1952F3 June 15, 1952F3 July 1, 1955F3 June 5, 1956F3 July 16, 1957F3 August 11, 1958F3 May 30, 1958F3 May 22, 1966F3 July 31, 1966EF3 July 7, 2008F3 July 19, 1952F3 September 6, 1958F3 July 11, 1974F3 May 5, 1964F3 August 19, 1974EF3 August 26, 2007EF3 August 26, 2007EF3 August 27, 2016EF3 June 20, 2025EF2 July 9, 2018F2 June 15, 1986EF2 July 15, 2007EF2 May 26, 2014EF2 July 14, 2010EF2 June 9, 2017EF2 June 20, 2025F2 August 15, 1999F2 July 17, 2001EF2 July 15, 2007EF2 July 26, 2010F2 July 27, 1999EF2 July 10, 2011EF2 May 30, 2011EF2 July 11, 2017EF2 September 14, 2025EF2 May 30, 2011EF2 August 3, 2016F2 July 17, 2001© OpenStreetMap contributors
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Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
June 20, 1957F5Cass, North Dakota27.4 mi500 yd10103$25.0M
May 29, 1953F5Morton, North Dakota7.4 mi600 yd220$250K
May 29, 1953F5Emmons, North Dakota7.4 mi600 yd00$250K
June 20, 2025EF5Ransom, North Dakota5.4 mi1850 yd00N/A
August 26, 2007EF4Grand Forks, North Dakota5 mi1400 yd118$50.0M
July 4, 1978F4Grant, North Dakota26 mi250 yd535$2.5M
June 29, 1975F4Hettinger, North Dakota45.8 mi880 yd14$2.5M
July 18, 2004F4Barnes, North Dakota10 mi200 yd00$1.7M
June 6, 1999F4Pembina, North Dakota8 mi500 yd00$1.0M
August 11, 2002F4Stutsman, North Dakota1 mi300 yd00$650K
July 2, 1955F4Richland, North Dakota9.1 mi150 yd219$250K
July 1, 1952F4Burleigh, North Dakota19.8 mi150 yd125$250K
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Source And Limits

Data sourced from NOAA Storm Prediction Center and the NCEI Storm Events Database. TornadoTrace summarizes reported weather events for screening and research; it is not a damage assessment, inspection, or insurance determination. Coordinates and records can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. No warranty of completeness or accuracy.

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