Dakota County, Minnesota tornadoes

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41confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1965). Most recent: August 29, 2024, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Dakota County

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The record

At a glance

Total411950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJuly10 of 41
StrongestF2May 15, 1968
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries19whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 1May: 8Jun: 3Jul: 10Aug: 9Sep: 5Oct: 0Nov: 3Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 10 of 41 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 1: 33 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 5: 33 PM: 1: 3: 36 PM: 8: 8: 19 PM: 0: 1: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 21970: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 12000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12010: 4: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 12020: 1: 3: 5: 0: 1: 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
27
EF1
11
EF2
3

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

F1, May 9, 1973

1 deaths, 11 injuries Strongest

F2, May 15, 1968

15.4 mile path Longest path

15.4 miles, F2

May 15, 1968, whole path Widest

440 yards, F2

March 29, 1998
Every tornado

All 41 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 29, 2024EF07.93 mi50 yd00
Aug 27, 2022EF00.26 mi50 yd00
Aug 27, 2022EF00.75 mi150 yd00
Aug 27, 2022EF00.37 mi100 yd00
Aug 27, 2022EF00.85 mi100 yd00
May 9, 2022EF05.71 mi25 yd00
Sep 17, 2021EF01.02 mi50 yd00
Sep 17, 2021EF00.81 mi75 yd00
May 19, 2021EF00.18 mi25 yd00
May 26, 2020EF00.26 mi25 yd00
Aug 13, 2019EF00.32 mi25 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF04.61 mi220 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF03.19 mi70 yd00
Nov 10, 2012EF00.54 mi50 yd00
Nov 10, 2012EF00.5 mi50 yd00
Nov 10, 2012EF02.8 mi100 yd00
Aug 13, 2010EF11.52 mi125 yd01
Jul 14, 2010EF11.7 mi100 yd00
Jul 14, 2010EF00.02 mi10 yd00
Jul 14, 2010EF03.5 mi75 yd00
Aug 19, 2009EF11.61 mi50 yd00
Jul 10, 2008EF06 mi25 yd00
Sep 9, 2001F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 9, 2001F212 mi50 yd01
Aug 12, 1999F00.2 min/a00
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.