Hennepin County, Minnesota tornadoes

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33confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: August 14, 2020, 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 Hennepin County

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The record

At a glance

Total331950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthMay9 of 33
StrongestF4May 6, 1965
Deaths19whole paths, see note
Injuries592whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 9Jun: 5Jul: 9Aug: 5Sep: 4Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 9 of 33 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 1: 43 PM: 3: 1: 36 PM: 9: 2: 59 PM: 3: 0: 012 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

30 1950: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 3: 1: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 21980: 0: 1: 0: 1: 2: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 22010: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 2: 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.

By rating

EF0
11
EF1
9
EF2
5
EF3
4
EF4
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

F4, May 6, 1965

6 deaths, 158 injuries Strongest

F4, May 6, 1965

17.3 mile path Longest path

70.9 miles, F2

June 24, 1952, whole path Widest

880 yards, EF1

May 22, 2011
Every tornado

All 33 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 14, 2020EF00.4 mi50 yd00
Aug 14, 2020EF00.39 mi65 yd00
Sep 2, 2019EF13.87 mi210 yd00
May 22, 2011EF113.57 mi880 yd148
May 21, 2011EF00.2 mi25 yd00
Aug 19, 2009EF04.25 mi500 yd00
Aug 8, 2009EF19.13 mi200 yd00
Sep 16, 2006F28 mi100 yd10
Sep 21, 2005F00.1 mi30 yd00
Sep 12, 2005F13 mi30 yd01
May 9, 2004F10.3 mi25 yd00
Jul 25, 2000F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 21, 1995F10.5 mi100 yd00
Jul 21, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 30, 1991F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 30, 1991F00.4 mi10 yd00
Jul 23, 1987F35 mi170 yd00
Jul 18, 1986F24 mi833 yd00
Jul 16, 1984F14.5 mi150 yd00
Apr 26, 1984F35.5 mi60 yd152
Jun 13, 1983F03 mi50 yd00
Jun 14, 1981F316.2 mi600 yd183
Jun 28, 1979F10.1 mi17 yd00
May 22, 1979F22 mi100 yd00
Jul 15, 1969F00.5 mi50 yd00
Cities

Cities in Hennepin County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

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.