National Weather ServiceMinnesotaTornado WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Warnings in Minnesota
The National Weather Service issued 135 tornado warnings for Minnesota in 2025 and 76 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 18th most of any state. 2026 through September: 77, in line with the average of 75 for those months in 2008-2025. Polk was covered most often (94 times since 2008).
How many tornado warnings does Minnesota get?
Every tornado warning that covered part of Minnesota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 77 |
| 2025 | 135 |
| 2024 | 79 |
| 2023 | 24 |
| 2022 | 100 |
| 2021 | 45 |
| 2020 | 81 |
| 2019 | 87 |
| 2018 | 31 |
| 2017 | 57 |
| 2016 | 77 |
| 2015 | 57 |
| 2014 | 45 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2012 | 64 |
| 2011 | 71 |
| 2010 | 202 |
| 2009 | 58 |
| 2008 | 123 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk | 94 | 23 | July 24, 2026 |
| Otter Tail | 87 | 8 | September 12, 2026 |
| Stearns | 67 | 11 | July 4, 2026 |
| Marshall | 66 | 10 | July 24, 2026 |
| Blue Earth | 59 | 20 | May 18, 2026 |
| Norman | 50 | 19 | July 6, 2026 |
| St. Louis | 47 | 21 | August 25, 2026 |
| Waseca | 47 | 16 | April 14, 2026 |
| Freeborn | 46 | 14 | May 18, 2026 |
| Cass | 44 | 13 | June 30, 2026 |
| Morrison | 44 | 5 | June 30, 2026 |
| Wadena | 44 | 8 | September 12, 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 tornado warnings for Minnesota in AreaZine's record
NWS DuluthWarningAugust 25, 2026
Tornado Warning: St. Louis, MN
Expired 5:00 p.m. CDT, August 25, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningJuly 24, 2026
Tornado Warning: Marshall, Pennington and Polk, MN
Expired 7:00 p.m. CDT, July 24, 2026
NWS La CrosseWarningJuly 8, 2026
Tornado Warning: Mitchell and Mower, IA and MN
Expired 5:30 p.m. CDT, July 8, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningJuly 6, 2026
Tornado Warning: Becker, MN
Expired 8:15 p.m. CDT, July 6, 2026
NWS Twin Cities/ChanhassenWarningJuly 4, 2026
Tornado Warning: Stearns, MN
Expired 4:45 p.m. CDT, July 4, 2026
NWS Twin Cities/ChanhassenWarningJune 29, 2026
Tornado Warning: Morrison and Todd, MN
Expired 11:15 p.m. CDT, June 29, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningJune 29, 2026
Tornado Warning: Polk, Grand Forks and Traill, MN and ND
Expired 9:30 p.m. CDT, June 29, 2026
NWS Twin Cities/ChanhassenWarningJune 19, 2026
Tornado Warning: Isanti and Kanabec, MN
Expired 4:45 p.m. CDT, June 19, 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 tornado warning?
The NWS issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been seen or weather radar indicates one in the warned area. Warnings are drawn as polygons around the storm's path and usually last 30 to 60 minutes. 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.