Skip to main content
AREAZINENotices · US CA UK AU

National Weather ServiceNorth DakotaTornado WarningArchive to October 11, 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?

90 tornado warnings for North Dakota in 2025
501001502008: 8420082009: 7020092010: 14820102011: 13120112012: 1120122013: 2720132014: 4320142015: 5220152016: 4420162017: 3820172018: 4020182019: 3020192020: 3320202021: 2420212022: 2620222023: 820232024: 2820242025: 9020252026: 3020262008-2025 average 522026 through September: 30501001502008: 8420082009: 702010: 14820102011: 1312012: 1120122013: 272014: 4320142015: 522016: 4420162017: 382018: 4020182019: 302020: 3320202021: 242022: 2620222023: 82024: 2820242025: 902026: 3020262008-2025 average 522026 through September: 30501001502008: 8420082009: 702010: 14820102011: 1312012: 1120122013: 272014: 4320142015: 522016: 4420162017: 382018: 4020182019: 302020: 3320202021: 242022: 2620222023: 82024: 2820242025: 902026: 3020262008-2025 average 522026 through September: 30501001502008: 8420082009: 702010: 1482011: 1312012: 112013: 272014: 432015: 5220152016: 442017: 382018: 402019: 302020: 3320202021: 242022: 262023: 82024: 282025: 902026: 3020262008-2025 average 522026 through September: 30

Every tornado warning that covered part of North Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.

The numbers
YearCount
2026 (through September)30
202590
202428
20238
202226
202124
202033
201930
201840
201738
201644
201552
201443
201327
201211
2011131
2010148
200970
200884

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.

When in the year does North Dakota get them?

North Dakota's tornado warnings by month, 2008-2025
200400Jan: 0JanFeb: 0FebMar: 0MarApr: 4AprMay: 51MayJun: 361JunJul: 345JulAug: 114AugSep: 48SepOct: 4OctNov: 0NovDec: 0Dec361200400Jan: 0JanFeb: 0FebMar: 0MarApr: 4AprMay: 51MayJun: 361JunJul: 345JulAug: 114AugSep: 48SepOct: 4OctNov: 0NovDec: 0Dec361200400Jan: 0JanFeb: 0FebMar: 0MarApr: 4AprMay: 51MayJun: 361JunJul: 345JulAug: 114AugSep: 48SepOct: 4OctNov: 0NovDec: 0Dec361200400Jan: 0JFeb: 0FMar: 0MApr: 4AMay: 51MJun: 361JJul: 345JAug: 114ASep: 48SOct: 4ONov: 0NDec: 0D361

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 11, 2026.

Where in North Dakota?

County or forecast zoneSince 2008Since 2023Last issued
Grand Forks778June 30, 2026
Morton7611June 29, 2026
Cass566June 21, 2025
Walsh553July 7, 2025
McLean546September 7, 2026
Richland549August 21, 2025
Barnes5110August 8, 2025
Burleigh5025July 10, 2026
Nelson485August 8, 2025
Stark476June 20, 2025
Dunn444September 7, 2026
Stutsman4410August 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 11, 2026.

The latest tornado warnings for North Dakota in AreaZine's record

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).

Every tornado warning for North Dakota in AreaZine's record

10 notices in AreaZine's record; the latest first below. Every one, oldest first: June 9, 2026 to September 6, 2026.

  1. Tornado Warning: McKenzie, ND McKenzie expired
  2. Tornado Warning: Benson, ND Benson expired
  3. Tornado Warning: Benson, ND Benson expired
  4. Tornado Warning: Eddy, ND Eddy expired
  5. Tornado Warning: Polk, Grand Forks and Traill, MN and ND Polk, Grand Forks and Traill expired
  6. Tornado Warning: Ramsey, ND Ramsey expired
  7. Tornado Warning: Burleigh, Emmons and Kidder, ND Burleigh, Emmons and Kidder expired
  8. Tornado Warning: Billings, ND Billings expired
  9. Tornado Warning: Benson, ND Benson expired
  10. Tornado Warning: Burke, ND Burke expired

Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov). A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.

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.

How does North Dakota compare with its neighbours?

Minnesota gets the most on North Dakota's border: 77 a year in 2021-2025.

StateA year, 2021-2025A year, 2008-2025Rank of all states
Minnesota777618th
South Dakota384525th
North Dakota355226th
Montana41238th

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 11, 2026.

More records for North Dakota