National Weather ServiceNorth DakotaTornado WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Warnings in North Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 90 tornado warnings for North Dakota in 2025 and 52 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 26th most of any state. 2026 through September: 30, 41% below the average of 51 for those months in 2008-2025. Grand Forks was covered most often (77 times since 2008).
How many tornado warnings does North Dakota get?
Every tornado warning that covered part of North Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 30 |
| 2025 | 90 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2018 | 40 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2015 | 52 |
| 2014 | 43 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2011 | 131 |
| 2010 | 148 |
| 2009 | 70 |
| 2008 | 84 |
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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | 77 | 8 | June 30, 2026 |
| Morton | 76 | 11 | June 29, 2026 |
| Cass | 56 | 6 | June 21, 2025 |
| Walsh | 55 | 3 | July 7, 2025 |
| McLean | 54 | 6 | September 7, 2026 |
| Richland | 54 | 9 | August 21, 2025 |
| Barnes | 51 | 10 | August 8, 2025 |
| Burleigh | 50 | 25 | July 10, 2026 |
| Nelson | 48 | 5 | August 8, 2025 |
| Stark | 47 | 6 | June 20, 2025 |
| Dunn | 44 | 4 | September 7, 2026 |
| Stutsman | 44 | 10 | August 8, 2025 |
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 North Dakota in AreaZine's record
NWS BismarckWarningSeptember 6, 2026
Tornado Warning: McKenzie, ND
Expired 8:00 p.m. CDT, September 6, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningJuly 16, 2026
Tornado Warning: Benson, ND
Expired 9:45 p.m. CDT, July 16, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningJuly 16, 2026
Tornado Warning: Benson, ND
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, July 16, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningJuly 9, 2026
Tornado Warning: Eddy, ND
Expired 8:15 p.m. CDT, July 9, 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 Grand ForksWarningJune 29, 2026
Tornado Warning: Ramsey, ND
Expired 3:00 a.m. CDT, June 29, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningJune 27, 2026
Tornado Warning: Burleigh, Emmons and Kidder, ND
Expired 12:00 a.m. CDT, June 28, 2026
NWS BismarckWarningJune 27, 2026
Tornado Warning: Billings, ND
Expired 7:15 p.m. MDT, June 27, 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 North Dakota.