National Weather ServiceMinnesotaTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in Minnesota
The National Weather Service issued 10 tornado watches for Minnesota in 2025 and 11 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 21st most of any state. 2026 through September: 10, in line with the average of 10 for those months in 2008-2025. Freeborn was covered most often (56 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does Minnesota get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of Minnesota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 10 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2010 | 31 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeborn | 56 | 9 | May 17, 2026 |
| Sibley | 56 | 5 | June 29, 2025 |
| Waseca | 56 | 8 | May 17, 2026 |
| McLeod | 55 | 5 | June 29, 2025 |
| Meeker | 55 | 5 | June 29, 2025 |
| Steele | 55 | 9 | May 17, 2026 |
| Wright | 55 | 5 | June 29, 2025 |
| Brown | 54 | 7 | May 17, 2026 |
| Nicollet | 54 | 8 | May 17, 2026 |
| Watonwan | 54 | 8 | May 17, 2026 |
| Kandiyohi | 53 | 5 | June 29, 2025 |
| Faribault | 52 | 8 | May 17, 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.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Minnesota.