Pierce County, North Dakota tornadoes

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17confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1973). Most recent: July 20, 2011, EF1. 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 Pierce County

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The record

At a glance

Total171950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthJuly7 of 17
StrongestF2Aug 21, 1973
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 Pierce County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 3Jun: 5Jul: 7Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 7 of 17 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 1: 16 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 2: 0: 13 PM: 1: 1: 16 PM: 3: 3: 09 PM: 0: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 1: 2: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 02000: 2: 1: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 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
5
EF1
11
EF2
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

Every tornado

All 17 tornadoes, newest first

Tornadoes, newest first
DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 20, 2011EF11.25 mi50 yd00
Jul 10, 2005F0n/a30 yd00
Jun 19, 2005F13 mi75 yd00
May 19, 2004F11 mi600 yd00
Jun 20, 2001F0n/a40 yd00
Nov 1, 2000F122 mi100 yd00
Jul 4, 2000F13 mi50 yd00
May 17, 1998F010 mi100 yd00
Jul 24, 1997F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 1, 1993F10.1 mi23 yd00
Jun 6, 1989F10.2 mi20 yd00
Jul 4, 1978F15.9 mi10 yd00
May 25, 1978F10.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 25, 1977F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 11, 1976F10.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 21, 1973F20.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 1, 1973F10.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jul 16, 20266 S WolfordNot 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.