Watonwan County, Minnesota tornadoes

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23confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: August 5, 2024, 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 Watonwan County

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The record

At a glance

Total231950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJune8 of 23
StrongestF4Mar 29, 1998
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries19whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 0May: 3Jun: 8Jul: 4Aug: 6Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 8 of 23 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 0: 03 PM: 5: 3: 76 PM: 4: 3: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 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: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 11980: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 0: 02010: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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
10
EF1
7
EF2
4
EF3
1
EF4
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

F4, March 29, 1998

1 deaths, 19 injuries Strongest

F4, March 29, 1998

73.5 mile path Longest path

73.5 miles, F4

March 29, 1998, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F2

July 16, 1963
Every tornado

All 23 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 5, 2024EF12.26 mi50 yd00
Jun 20, 2019EF00.52 mi30 yd00
Jul 24, 2015EF00.34 mi25 yd00
May 8, 2014EF02.1 mi50 yd00
May 8, 2014EF00.83 mi50 yd00
Aug 11, 2010EF00.09 mi20 yd00
Jun 25, 2010EF00.95 mi10 yd00
Aug 1, 2006F11 mi50 yd00
Aug 1, 2006F13 mi100 yd00
Aug 1, 2006F31.5 mi440 yd00
Jun 29, 2005F00.5 mi50 yd00
Mar 29, 1998F473.5 mi1,500 yd119
Jul 11, 1990F010 mi10 yd00
Jun 21, 1981F115.6 mi50 yd00
Jun 21, 1981F012 mi50 yd00
Jun 27, 1980F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 28, 1979F19.2 mi100 yd00
Aug 9, 1977F25.6 mi70 yd00
Jul 27, 1971F110.9 mi50 yd00
Mar 18, 1968F22.5 mi83 yd00
Jul 16, 1963F25.2 mi1,760 yd00
May 18, 1962F242.4 mi50 yd00
Jun 7, 1953F119.1 mi10 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.