Rice County, Minnesota tornadoes

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43confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1959). Most recent: April 28, 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 Rice County

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The record

At a glance

Total431950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthSeptember12 of 43
StrongestF3Jul 27, 1987
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries4whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

120 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 2May: 9Jun: 7Jul: 5Aug: 6Sep: 12Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

September is the peak month, with 12 of 43 tornadoes.

By time of day

120 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 33 PM: 6: 3: 116 PM: 12: 3: 39 PM: 0: 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

110 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 2: 0: 0: 4: 42000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 11: 02020: 0: 5: 0: 0: 1: 219501960197019801990200020102020

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
21
EF1
14
EF2
6
EF3
1
Unknown
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

Strongest

F3, July 27, 1987

30 mile path Longest path

30 miles, F3

July 27, 1987, whole path Widest

600 yards, EF2

September 20, 2018
Every tornado

All 43 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 28, 2025EF13.26 mi175 yd00
Apr 28, 2025EF00.42 mi40 yd00
Jul 13, 2024EFU0.5 mi20 yd00
May 19, 2021EF11.17 mi25 yd00
May 19, 2021EF00.17 mi10 yd00
May 19, 2021EF01.83 mi50 yd00
May 19, 2021EF00.3 mi15 yd00
May 19, 2021EF01.54 mi25 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF15.31 mi550 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF05.53 mi75 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF15.75 mi440 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF14.66 mi440 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF17.17 mi300 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF11.57 mi150 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF19.06 mi500 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF22.95 mi600 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF18.57 mi440 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF24.94 mi300 yd00
Aug 27, 2018EF02.28 mi100 yd00
Jul 5, 2016EF13.67 mi100 yd00
Jun 14, 2016EF00.34 mi25 yd00
Jun 14, 2016EF02.18 mi25 yd00
May 8, 2005F01 mi25 yd00
May 9, 2001F212 mi50 yd01
May 9, 2001F00.1 mi50 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.