Stearns County, Minnesota tornadoes

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57confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: May 15, 2025, 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 Stearns County

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The record

At a glance

Total571950 to 2025
Per year0.8average since 1950
Peak monthJune16 of 57
StrongestF3Sep 3, 1980
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries73whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 0May: 13Jun: 16Jul: 9Aug: 9Sep: 7Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 16 of 57 tornadoes.

By time of day

130 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 1: 1: 03 PM: 8: 13: 116 PM: 13: 4: 29 PM: 1: 0: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 3: 01960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 1: 0: 2: 3: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01980: 4: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 22000: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 4: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 3: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 4: 2: 0: 02020: 0: 2: 1: 0: 1: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
33
EF1
16
EF2
6
EF3
2

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 3, 1980

1 deaths, 15 injuries Strongest

F3, September 3, 1980

3.8 mile path Longest path

16.4 miles, F2

July 22, 1967, whole path Widest

1,000 yards, EF1

August 3, 2024
Every tornado

All 57 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 15, 2025EF02.77 mi50 yd00
Aug 3, 2024EF15.36 mi1,000 yd00
May 12, 2022EF01.34 mi25 yd00
Aug 28, 2021EF02.07 mi25 yd00
Aug 20, 2021EF02.12 mi50 yd00
Sep 19, 2017EF18.18 mi360 yd00
Sep 19, 2017EF01.16 mi330 yd00
Jul 11, 2016EF14 mi250 yd00
Jul 11, 2016EF22.22 mi400 yd01
Jun 3, 2016EF02.31 mi50 yd00
May 25, 2016EF03.3 mi25 yd00
May 16, 2015EF01.44 mi25 yd00
May 1, 2012EF02.14 mi75 yd00
May 1, 2012EF00.89 mi75 yd00
Jul 1, 2011EF02.34 mi30 yd00
Aug 12, 2010EF00.18 mi30 yd00
Aug 12, 2010EF16.23 mi100 yd00
Jul 17, 2010EF00.12 mi30 yd00
Jul 14, 2009EF00.04 mi20 yd00
Jun 10, 2005F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 10, 2005F00.2 mi20 yd00
Jun 10, 2005F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 10, 2005F01 mi25 yd00
Jun 19, 2002F00.1 mi25 yd00
Jun 19, 2002F00.3 mi25 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.