Big Stone County, Minnesota tornadoes

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14 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: May 30, 2022, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

At a glance

Total141950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthOctober5 of 14
StrongestF3May 17, 1996
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries0whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Big Stone County.

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 3Jun: 4Jul: 2Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 5Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

October is the peak month, with 5 of 14 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 53 PM: 0: 2: 26 PM: 0: 2: 19 PM: 1: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 3: 1: 0: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
9
EF1
3
EF2
1
EF3
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, May 17, 1996

18 mile path Longest path

18 miles, F3

May 17, 1996, whole path Widest

200 yards, F3

May 17, 1996

All 14 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 30, 2022EF12.4 mi30 yd00
Oct 13, 2021EF00.04 mi10 yd00
Oct 13, 2021EF00.35 mi10 yd00
Oct 13, 2021EF00.05 mi10 yd00
Jun 13, 2017EF10.25 mi170 yd00
Jun 14, 2016EF00.84 mi10 yd00
Jun 14, 2016EF00.07 mi10 yd00
Jun 13, 2001F00.5 mi25 yd00
Oct 26, 1996F01 mi25 yd00
May 31, 1996F00.3 mi10 yd00
May 17, 1996F318 mi200 yd00
Jul 3, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 7, 1959F10.1 mi10 yd00
Oct 29, 1956F20.1 mi10 yd00

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 12, 2026.