Benson County, North Dakota tornadoes

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50confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1958). Most recent: July 17, 2020, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 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 Benson County

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The record

At a glance

Total501950 to 2025
Per year0.7average since 1950
Peak monthJune21 of 50
StrongestF3May 30, 1958
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries0whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

210 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 4Jun: 21Jul: 17Aug: 8Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 21 of 50 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 1: 2: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 3: 6: 23 PM: 5: 4: 86 PM: 7: 6: 39 PM: 2: 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

60 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11960: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 3: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 32000: 2: 5: 2: 1: 0: 6: 0: 1: 1: 12010: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 1: 02020: 3: 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. This year so far: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
35
EF1
9
EF2
5
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, May 30, 1958

10.7 mile path Longest path

10.7 miles, F3

May 30, 1958, whole path Widest

600 yards, EF2

June 9, 2017
Every tornado

All 50 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 17, 2020EF10.25 mi40 yd00
Jul 17, 2020EF00.1 mi30 yd00
May 23, 2020EF00.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 4, 2018EF23.12 mi400 yd00
Jun 9, 2017EF02.05 mi200 yd00
Jun 9, 2017EF28 mi600 yd00
Jul 11, 2015EF00.06 mi25 yd00
Jul 16, 2011EF03 mi50 yd00
Jul 16, 2011EF03 mi100 yd00
Jul 26, 2010EF02.72 mi20 yd00
Jun 17, 2010EF01.2 mi15 yd00
Jun 26, 2009EF00.33 mi25 yd00
Jun 23, 2008EF00.2 mi25 yd00
Aug 10, 2007EF01.5 mi25 yd00
Jul 10, 2005F02 mi25 yd00
Jul 10, 2005F00.3 mi25 yd00
Jun 23, 2005F02 mi50 yd00
Jun 19, 2005F10.2 mi100 yd00
Jun 19, 2005F10.2 mi100 yd00
Jun 19, 2005F12 mi100 yd00
Jun 27, 2003F00.1 mi25 yd00
Jul 31, 2002F00.2 mi25 yd00
Jul 31, 2002F00.2 mi25 yd00
Aug 8, 2001F22 mi250 yd00
Aug 8, 2001F27 mi250 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jul 16, 20264 W MaddockNot yet rated
Jul 16, 20261 NW KnoxNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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.