Clearwater County, Minnesota tornadoes

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23confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1959). Most recent: August 26, 2018, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 preliminary reports 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.

The record

At a glance

Total231950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJune9 of 23
StrongestF2Jul 5, 1978
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries44whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 2Jun: 9Jul: 6Aug: 6Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 9 of 23 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 2: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 0: 03 PM: 4: 3: 06 PM: 2: 4: 29 PM: 1: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 2: 2: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 02010: 3: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 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: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
10
EF1
9
EF2
4

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

F2, July 5, 1978

4 deaths, 44 injuries Strongest

F2, July 5, 1978

57.5 mile path Longest path

57.5 miles, F2

July 5, 1978, whole path Widest

400 yards, F2

July 5, 1978
Every tornado

All 23 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 26, 2018EF125.03 mi200 yd00
Jul 22, 2013EF221.09 mi400 yd00
Jul 22, 2013EF17.47 mi150 yd00
Jun 17, 2010EF11 mi40 yd00
Jun 17, 2010EF13 mi30 yd00
Jun 17, 2010EF11 mi40 yd00
Jun 12, 2008EF15.42 mi100 yd00
Jun 14, 2007EF00.2 mi25 yd00
Jun 23, 2005F15 mi100 yd00
May 29, 2003F00.2 mi50 yd00
Aug 11, 2002F00.2 mi25 yd00
Aug 11, 2002F00.2 mi25 yd00
Aug 8, 2001F00.5 mi25 yd00
May 15, 2001F00.5 mi25 yd00
Jul 20, 1998F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 21, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 18, 1987F00.2 mi10 yd00
Aug 5, 1981F20.8 mi70 yd00
Jul 5, 1979F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 5, 1978F257.5 mi400 yd444
Jun 24, 1966F149.8 mi10 yd00
Aug 25, 1960F20.2 mi40 yd00
Jun 9, 1959F18.8 mi150 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jul 24, 20265 N LeonardNot yet rated
Jun 23, 20266 WNW AlidaNot 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 12, 2026.