Washington County, Minnesota tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Washington County...

27confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: July 18, 2020, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 Washington County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total271950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJuly12 of 27
StrongestEF3May 25, 2008
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries30whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

120 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 5Jun: 4Jul: 12Aug: 2Sep: 2Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 12 of 27 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 2: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 212 PM: 0: 1: 33 PM: 2: 2: 46 PM: 2: 3: 29 PM: 0: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 22010: 1: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 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
15
EF1
7
EF2
3
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

EF3, May 25, 2008

1 deaths, 17 injuries Strongest

EF3, May 25, 2008

5.96 mile path Longest path

59.4 miles, F3

May 24, 1958, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F2

June 25, 1954
Every tornado

All 27 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 18, 2020EF19.46 mi400 yd00
Jul 18, 2020EF02.85 mi180 yd00
Jul 28, 2019EF18.16 mi440 yd00
Jul 12, 2017EF03.03 mi250 yd00
Jul 12, 2017EF110.72 mi400 yd00
Jul 7, 2014EF02.59 mi50 yd00
Nov 10, 2012EF04.33 mi100 yd00
May 22, 2011EF02.64 mi75 yd00
Jul 17, 2010EF05.15 mi50 yd00
Aug 19, 2009EF00.73 mi40 yd00
Aug 19, 2009EF10.68 mi75 yd00
May 25, 2008EF01.25 mi50 yd00
May 25, 2008EF01.04 mi50 yd00
May 25, 2008EF35.96 mi220 yd117
Sep 20, 2007EF00.4 mi50 yd00
Jul 14, 2003F00.1 mi25 yd00
Jul 7, 2000F10.1 mi30 yd00
Jul 1, 1997F11 mi200 yd00
Sep 21, 1996F00.1 mi50 yd00
Apr 26, 1994F25 mi1,300 yd01
Jun 16, 1990F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 16, 1990F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 6, 1974F10.1 mi17 yd00
Jul 14, 1971F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jul 12, 1965F20.3 mi10 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Washington County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.