Clay County, Minnesota tornadoes

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43confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: June 20, 2022, EF0. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Clay County

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The record

At a glance

Total431950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthJune17 of 43
StrongestF5Jun 20, 1957
Deaths10whole paths, see note
Injuries107whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

170 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 5Jun: 17Jul: 15Aug: 2Sep: 3Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 17 of 43 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 2: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 1: 43 PM: 4: 6: 66 PM: 3: 8: 29 PM: 4: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 7:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 11960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 1: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 01990: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 3: 4: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 1: 1: 1: 0: 1: 2: 2: 0: 22020: 1: 0: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
21
EF1
16
EF2
3
EF3
1
EF4
1
EF5
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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F5, June 20, 1957

10 deaths, 103 injuries Strongest

F5, June 20, 1957

52.4 mile path Longest path

52.4 miles, F5

June 20, 1957, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F3

June 28, 1975
Every tornado

All 43 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 20, 2022EF00.19 mi100 yd00
Jul 25, 2020EF00.4 mi40 yd00
Jul 9, 2019EF03 mi150 yd00
Jul 9, 2019EF00.5 mi75 yd00
Jul 21, 2017EF00.4 mi100 yd00
Jul 11, 2017EF212.81 mi500 yd00
May 27, 2016EF00.05 mi50 yd00
May 27, 2016EF00.05 mi75 yd00
Jun 27, 2015EF00.1 mi25 yd00
Jun 25, 2013EF07 mi100 yd00
Apr 21, 2012EF00.25 mi20 yd00
May 30, 2011EF14.51 mi200 yd00
Jul 13, 2010EF00.2 mi25 yd00
Sep 5, 2005F12.5 mi100 yd00
Jun 29, 2005F11 mi100 yd00
Jun 23, 2005F12 mi100 yd00
Jun 11, 2005F10.2 mi100 yd00
Jul 12, 2004F110 mi50 yd00
Jul 12, 2004F00.5 mi25 yd00
Jul 10, 2004F12 mi50 yd00
Sep 18, 2002F11 mi25 yd00
Jul 26, 1997F00.5 mi23 yd00
Jun 5, 1996F25 mi100 yd00
Jun 25, 1994F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 9, 1991F00.2 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 29, 20266 NW HawleyNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

Nearby

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 13, 2026.