Williams County, North Dakota tornadoes

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26confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: September 12, 2025, 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.

The record

At a glance

Total261950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJuly10 of 26
StrongestF3Jul 11, 1974
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 Williams County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 4Jun: 7Jul: 10Aug: 4Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 10 of 26 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 2: 1: 13 PM: 1: 6: 36 PM: 2: 2: 39 PM: 1: 2: 112 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: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 3: 0: 21980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 4: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 1: 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.

By rating

EF0
18
EF1
2
EF2
3
EF3
1
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 11, 1974

0.1 mile path Longest path

8.5 miles, F1

May 17, 1977, whole path Widest

50 yards, EF0

July 26, 2015
Every tornado

All 26 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 12, 2025EFU0.21 mi50 yd00
Jun 10, 2021EFU0.92 mi40 yd00
Jul 26, 2015EF03.09 mi50 yd00
Aug 10, 2007EF01 mi40 yd00
May 6, 2003F0n/a30 yd00
Jul 5, 2001F0n/a40 yd00
Jul 29, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 22, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 22, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 22, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 18, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 27, 1982F20.4 mi23 yd00
Jul 29, 1979F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 29, 1979F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 17, 1977F18.5 mi10 yd00
May 13, 1977F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 13, 1977F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 5, 1976F22 mi33 yd00
Jun 27, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 11, 1974F30.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 6, 1971F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jun 20, 1966F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 22, 1965F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 16, 1957F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 29, 1955F00.1 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 12, 2026.