McLean County, North Dakota tornadoes

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49confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: September 14, 2025, EFU. 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 McLean County

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The record

At a glance

Total491950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthJune18 of 49
StrongestF3Jun 5, 1956
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries10whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

180 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 3Jun: 18Jul: 12Aug: 10Sep: 4Oct: 0Nov: 2Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 18 of 49 tornadoes.

By time of day

110 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 3: 13 PM: 7: 11: 96 PM: 9: 3: 29 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 2: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 11990: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 32000: 3: 0: 0: 2: 2: 0: 1: 2: 0: 22010: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 1: 0: 3: 0: 0: 419501960197019801990200020102020

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
24
EF1
15
EF2
4
EF3
1
Unknown
5

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 5, 1956

0.1 mile path Longest path

33.7 miles, F2

May 24, 1975, whole path Widest

250 yards, EF1

September 14, 2025
Every tornado

All 49 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 14, 2025EFU7.27 mi100 yd00
Sep 14, 2025EF18.69 mi250 yd00
Sep 14, 2025EFU3.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 20, 2025EFU0.35 mi50 yd00
Aug 15, 2022EF22.27 mi100 yd00
Aug 15, 2022EF12.24 mi100 yd00
Aug 15, 2022EFU0.35 mi25 yd00
Jul 20, 2020EFU0.23 mi25 yd00
Aug 12, 2019EF00.45 mi30 yd00
Jul 8, 2011EF00.23 mi30 yd00
Jun 20, 2011EF00.27 mi10 yd00
Jun 26, 2009EF00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 26, 2009EF00.5 mi20 yd00
Jul 9, 2007EF11.5 mi60 yd04
Jun 12, 2007EF06.2 mi50 yd00
Aug 24, 2006F22 mi90 yd00
Jun 6, 2004F02 mi40 yd00
Jun 6, 2004F111 mi50 yd00
Jul 13, 2003F129 mi40 yd01
Jun 21, 2003F05 mi40 yd00
Nov 1, 2000F020 mi40 yd00
Nov 1, 2000F02 mi40 yd00
Jun 11, 2000F08 mi40 yd00
Aug 15, 1999F03 mi20 yd00
Jun 3, 1999F00.5 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Sep 7, 20266 S Strawberry LakeNot yet rated
Jun 28, 20264 ESE RiverdaleNot 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.