Bottineau County, North Dakota tornadoes

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34confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: May 17, 2022, EFU. 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 Bottineau County

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The record

At a glance

Total341950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJune13 of 34
StrongestF3Jul 6, 1977
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries8whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 3Jun: 13Jul: 10Aug: 7Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 13 of 34 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 4: 33 PM: 2: 3: 86 PM: 1: 5: 49 PM: 2: 1: 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

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 3: 01980: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 4: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 5: 0: 02000: 4: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02020: 2: 0: 1: 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
23
EF1
5
EF2
2
EF3
2
Unknown
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

Strongest

F3, July 6, 1977

17.2 mile path Longest path

17.2 miles, F3

July 6, 1977, whole path Widest

2,000 yards, F3

June 26, 1986
Every tornado

All 34 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 17, 2022EFU0.33 mi50 yd00
Jun 28, 2020EF11 mi100 yd00
Jun 28, 2020EFU0.39 mi50 yd00
Jul 7, 2016EF00.26 mi20 yd00
Jul 7, 2008EF01.05 mi30 yd00
Jun 24, 2001F06 mi40 yd00
Aug 7, 2000F06 mi60 yd00
Jul 15, 2000F03 mi30 yd00
Jul 15, 2000F08 mi40 yd00
Jun 11, 2000F0n/a40 yd00
Jul 25, 1997F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jul 11, 1997F00.5 mi13 yd00
Jun 28, 1997F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 1997F00.4 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 1997F01 mi13 yd00
May 24, 1994F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 16, 1988F00.2 mi13 yd00
Aug 16, 1988F00.2 mi13 yd00
Aug 16, 1988F00.2 mi13 yd00
Aug 16, 1988F00.2 mi13 yd00
Jun 26, 1986F38 mi2,000 yd01
Jun 26, 1986F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 22, 1984F12.5 mi20 yd00
Jul 9, 1982F00.3 mi10 yd00
Jul 1, 1981F00.3 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.