McKenzie County, North Dakota tornadoes

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24confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: September 17, 2025, EFU. 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 McKenzie County

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The record

At a glance

Total241950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJune10 of 24
StrongestEF2Jul 9, 2018
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries39whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 2Jun: 10Jul: 8Aug: 2Sep: 2Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 10 of 24 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 03 PM: 2: 2: 86 PM: 3: 3: 29 PM: 1: 0: 212 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 1: 1: 0: 2: 02020: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
15
EF1
2
EF2
3
Unknown
4

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

EF2, July 9, 2018

1 deaths, 28 injuries Strongest

EF2, July 9, 2018

0.53 mile path Longest path

17.47 miles, EF1

June 30, 2015, whole path Widest

400 yards, EF2

July 9, 2018
Every tornado

All 24 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 17, 2025EFU1.14 mi50 yd00
Jun 10, 2021EFU2.09 mi100 yd00
Jun 10, 2021EFU1.01 mi100 yd00
Jun 10, 2021EFU0.57 mi50 yd00
Jul 9, 2018EF20.53 mi400 yd128
Jun 1, 2018EF00.29 mi50 yd00
Jun 21, 2016EF00.4 mi20 yd00
Jun 30, 2015EF117.47 mi50 yd01
Jul 6, 2014EF03.77 mi40 yd00
May 26, 2014EF20.46 mi100 yd09
Jul 22, 2011EF00.45 mi30 yd00
Jul 26, 2001F0n/a40 yd00
Jun 13, 1999F01 min/a00
Sep 4, 1996F00.5 mi10 yd00
Jul 2, 1990F00.1 mi10 yd01
Jun 18, 1990F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 21, 1985F00.2 mi10 yd00
Aug 21, 1985F00.2 mi13 yd00
Jul 9, 1983F00.3 mi10 yd00
Jul 9, 1983F00.5 mi13 yd00
Jun 3, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 17, 1977F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 27, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 1, 1952F29.7 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Sep 6, 20268 SSW ArnegardNot 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.