National Weather ServiceMinnesotaSevere Thunderstorm WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Minnesota
The National Weather Service issued 497 severe thunderstorm warnings for Minnesota in 2025 and 480 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 24th most of any state. 2026 through September: 506, 7% above the average of 475 for those months in 2008-2025. St. Louis was covered most often (743 times since 2008).
How many severe thunderstorm warnings does Minnesota get?
Every severe thunderstorm warning that covered part of Minnesota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 506 |
| 2025 | 497 |
| 2024 | 415 |
| 2023 | 369 |
| 2022 | 692 |
| 2021 | 329 |
| 2020 | 551 |
| 2019 | 531 |
| 2018 | 492 |
| 2017 | 528 |
| 2016 | 569 |
| 2015 | 340 |
| 2014 | 329 |
| 2013 | 397 |
| 2012 | 608 |
| 2011 | 559 |
| 2010 | 565 |
| 2009 | 184 |
| 2008 | 679 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Minnesota get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Minnesota?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 743 | 119 | September 11, 2026 |
| Polk | 503 | 105 | September 6, 2026 |
| Itasca | 454 | 83 | September 4, 2026 |
| Aitkin | 451 | 77 | September 4, 2026 |
| Cass | 444 | 72 | September 12, 2026 |
| Otter Tail | 421 | 80 | September 12, 2026 |
| Beltrami | 398 | 75 | September 7, 2026 |
| Becker | 354 | 58 | September 3, 2026 |
| Marshall | 347 | 64 | September 7, 2026 |
| Clay | 346 | 61 | September 28, 2026 |
| Crow Wing | 341 | 48 | August 21, 2026 |
| Stearns | 320 | 69 | August 21, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest severe thunderstorm warnings for Minnesota in AreaZine's record
NWS Grand ForksWarningSeptember 28, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Clay and Cass, MN and ND
Expired 6:15 p.m. CDT, September 28, 2026
NWS DuluthWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Cass, MN
Expired 8:45 p.m. CDT, September 11, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Wadena, MN
Expired 8:30 p.m. CDT, September 11, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Lincoln, Brookings, Lake and 1 more, MN and SD
Expired 7:45 p.m. CDT, September 11, 2026
NWS Twin Cities/ChanhassenWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Stevens, MN
Expired 7:45 p.m. CDT, September 11, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningSeptember 6, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Marshall, Pennington, Polk and 3 more, MN and ND
Expired 7:15 p.m. CDT, September 6, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningSeptember 3, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Hubbard, MN
Expired 11:00 p.m. CDT, September 3, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningSeptember 3, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Clearwater, Mahnomen and Polk, MN
Expired 10:15 p.m. CDT, September 3, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a severe thunderstorm warning?
A severe thunderstorm warning means a storm is producing, or is about to produce, hail one inch across or larger and/or winds of 58 mph or more. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Minnesota.