Polk County, Minnesota tornadoes

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83confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: August 8, 2025, 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 Polk County

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The record

At a glance

Total831950 to 2025
Per year1.1average since 1950
Peak monthJune29 of 83
StrongestEF3Jun 17, 2010
Deaths7whole paths, see note
Injuries57whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

290 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 9Jun: 29Jul: 27Aug: 16Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 29 of 83 tornadoes.

By time of day

140 12 AM: 3: 1: 03 AM: 3: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 1: 43 PM: 14: 11: 116 PM: 7: 14: 39 PM: 4: 5: 112 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

90 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 5: 4: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 2: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 3: 2: 3: 12000: 0: 2: 3: 0: 1: 9: 3: 2: 0: 02010: 6: 2: 0: 1: 2: 0: 3: 2: 4: 12020: 0: 2: 1: 3: 0: 419501960197019801990200020102020

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
42
EF1
25
EF2
12
EF3
1
Unknown
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

F2, July 5, 1978

4 deaths, 44 injuries Strongest

EF3, June 17, 2010

15 mile path Longest path

57.5 miles, F2

July 5, 1978, whole path Widest

800 yards, EF2

July 21, 2014
Every tornado

All 83 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 8, 2025EF14.05 mi400 yd00
Jul 7, 2025EF14.72 mi40 yd00
Jul 7, 2025EF00.62 mi10 yd00
May 15, 2025EFU0.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 24, 2023EFU0.93 mi10 yd00
Jun 24, 2023EFU0.47 mi10 yd00
Jun 24, 2023EF01.54 mi10 yd00
Apr 23, 2022EF00.28 mi50 yd00
Aug 9, 2021EF02.24 mi150 yd00
Aug 9, 2021EF13.65 mi200 yd00
Jun 8, 2019EF23.6 mi400 yd00
Aug 26, 2018EF125.03 mi200 yd00
Aug 26, 2018EF120.94 mi300 yd00
Jun 29, 2018EF12.5 mi250 yd00
Jun 29, 2018EF215.38 mi400 yd00
Sep 19, 2017EF14.57 mi100 yd00
Jul 11, 2017EF110 mi250 yd00
Aug 28, 2016EF00.2 mi75 yd00
Aug 28, 2016EF00.75 mi100 yd00
Jul 19, 2016EF14.83 mi300 yd00
Jul 21, 2014EF237.92 mi800 yd00
Jun 21, 2014EF12 mi300 yd00
Jul 22, 2013EF17.47 mi150 yd00
Jul 4, 2011EF01 mi60 yd00
May 30, 2011EF19 mi100 yd00
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.