National Weather ServiceNorth DakotaTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in North Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 5 tornado watches for North Dakota in 2025 and 5 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 30th most of any state. 2026 through September: 5, in line with the average of 5 for those months in 2008-2025. Richland was covered most often (44 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does North Dakota get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of North Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2011 | 19 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2008 | 8 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richland | 44 | 5 | June 29, 2026 |
| Dickey | 43 | 8 | June 29, 2026 |
| LaMoure | 42 | 7 | June 29, 2026 |
| Logan | 41 | 7 | June 29, 2026 |
| McIntosh | 41 | 7 | June 29, 2026 |
| Sioux | 41 | 7 | June 29, 2026 |
| Morton | 40 | 8 | June 29, 2026 |
| Sargent | 40 | 5 | June 29, 2026 |
| Cass | 39 | 6 | July 24, 2026 |
| Grant | 39 | 8 | June 29, 2026 |
| Ransom | 39 | 5 | June 29, 2026 |
| Burleigh | 38 | 8 | June 29, 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 North Dakota.