Mille Lacs County, Minnesota tornadoes

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16confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: August 26, 2019, EF1. 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 Mille Lacs County

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The record

At a glance

Total161950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthJuly8 of 16
StrongestF3Sep 18, 1997
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries3whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 0Jun: 3Jul: 8Aug: 2Sep: 3Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 8 of 16 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 0: 1: 23 PM: 0: 0: 36 PM: 4: 2: 09 PM: 0: 1: 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

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 1: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 22020: 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.

By rating

EF0
6
EF1
6
EF2
3
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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F3, September 18, 1997

1 deaths, 1 injuries Strongest

F3, September 18, 1997

17 mile path Longest path

33 miles, F2

July 3, 1985, whole path Widest

800 yards, F3

September 18, 1997
Every tornado

All 16 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 26, 2019EF12.31 mi50 yd00
Aug 26, 2019EF02.97 mi50 yd00
Jul 30, 2011EF05.16 mi100 yd00
Jul 25, 2000F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 25, 1998F06 mi30 yd00
Sep 18, 1997F12 mi500 yd00
Sep 18, 1997F317 mi800 yd11
Jul 21, 1995F210 mi100 yd00
Jul 5, 1991F02.9 mi10 yd00
Jun 20, 1986F10.2 mi20 yd00
Jul 3, 1985F233 mi200 yd00
Jul 8, 1974F02 mi17 yd01
Jun 4, 1974F11.9 mi250 yd01
Jul 18, 1971F11.9 mi30 yd00
Jul 8, 1959F20.5 mi300 yd00
Sep 16, 1955F110.4 mi10 yd10
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.