Yellowstone County, Montana tornadoes

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21confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: May 21, 2016, 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 Yellowstone County

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The record

At a glance

Total211950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJune10 of 21
StrongestF3Jun 16, 1965
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries3whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 2Jun: 10Jul: 7Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 10 of 21 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 03 PM: 4: 4: 46 PM: 2: 2: 39 PM: 2: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 21980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 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
13
EF1
5
EF2
2
EF3
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, June 16, 1965

20.6 mile path Longest path

20.6 miles, F3

June 16, 1965, whole path Widest

150 yards, EF1

May 21, 2016
Every tornado

All 21 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 21, 2016EF12 mi150 yd00
Jun 6, 2011EF00.25 mi50 yd00
Jun 6, 2011EF00.01 mi50 yd00
Jun 20, 2010EF20.69 mi120 yd00
Aug 11, 2005F09 mi50 yd00
Jul 26, 2003F02.5 mi75 yd00
Jul 4, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jul 20, 1997F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 21, 1991F10.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 1991F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 1991F00.2 mi10 yd00
May 24, 1990F10.2 mi10 yd00
Jul 6, 1979F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 6, 1979F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 2, 1971F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 2, 1971F01 mi50 yd00
Jun 16, 1965F320.6 mi10 yd00
Jun 7, 1964F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 12, 1958F10.5 mi10 yd01
Jul 2, 1958F20.5 mi50 yd02
Jul 6, 1955F12 mi50 yd00
Cities

Cities in Yellowstone County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

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.