Burke County, North Dakota tornadoes

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27confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1969). Most recent: August 12, 2010, EF3. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Burke County

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The record

At a glance

Total271950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJuly16 of 27
StrongestEF3Aug 12, 2010
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries1whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 0Jun: 4Jul: 16Aug: 6Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 16 of 27 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 1: 03 PM: 1: 4: 26 PM: 5: 5: 69 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 8:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 21970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 3: 02000: 1: 4: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 32010: 5: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
21
EF1
4
EF2
1
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

Deadliest

EF3, August 12, 2010

1 deaths, 1 injuries Strongest

EF3, August 12, 2010

5.03 mile path Longest path

10 miles, F1

July 19, 2001, whole path Widest

400 yards, EF3

August 12, 2010
Every tornado

All 27 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 12, 2010EF35.03 mi400 yd11
Aug 12, 2010EF00.11 mi20 yd00
Aug 12, 2010EF00.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 26, 2010EF00.75 mi25 yd00
Jun 17, 2010EF03.48 mi25 yd00
Jul 8, 2009EF01.83 mi40 yd00
Jul 8, 2009EF00.76 mi40 yd00
Jul 8, 2009EF19.67 mi80 yd00
Jul 15, 2004F01 mi20 yd00
Jul 26, 2001F0n/a40 yd00
Jul 20, 2001F0n/a40 yd00
Jul 19, 2001F110 mi100 yd00
Jul 19, 2001F0n/a50 yd00
Aug 7, 2000F06 mi30 yd00
Jul 5, 1998F09 mi30 yd00
Jul 5, 1998F04 mi30 yd00
Jun 26, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Sep 4, 1996F00.5 mi20 yd00
Jul 30, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 23, 1994F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 30, 1984F10.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 14, 1982F00.4 mi10 yd00
Jun 9, 1978F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 13, 1977F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 10, 1977F00.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 7, 20263 SE BowbellsNot 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.