Dawson County, Montana tornadoes

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15confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: May 23, 2018, 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 Dawson County

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The record

At a glance

Total151950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthJune5 of 15
StrongestF4Jun 29, 1961
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries1whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

June is the peak month, with 5 of 15 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 03 PM: 0: 0: 26 PM: 2: 5: 19 PM: 1: 2: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 7:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 2: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 0: 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
12
EF2
2
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

Strongest

F4, June 29, 1961

15.9 mile path Longest path

33.5 miles, F2

June 23, 1953, whole path Widest

1,320 yards, F2

June 23, 1953
Every tornado

All 15 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 23, 2018EF00.28 mi10 yd00
Jul 5, 2009EF00.25 mi1 yd00
Jul 20, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 20, 2001F01 mi15 yd00
Aug 26, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 13, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 13, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 14, 1991F00.2 mi10 yd00
May 31, 1991F00.2 mi10 yd00
Aug 16, 1987F00.7 mi13 yd00
Jun 1, 1978F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 27, 1975F20.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 29, 1961F415.9 mi10 yd01
Jun 23, 1953F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 23, 1953F233.5 mi1,320 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.