Tornadoes · United States · North Dakota
Tornadoes in Grand Forks County, North Dakota
93 tornadoes have crossed Grand Forks County since 1950, 2nd of the 53 counties in North Dakota with a tornado on record, an average of 1.2 a year. They have killed 1 person and injured 21. 2 were rated F4 or EF4 and above.
The rating scale
Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The United States rated tornadoes on Ted Fujita’s F scale until 31 January 2007 and on the Enhanced Fujita scale after it. Both run from 0 to 5, and both rate the damage rather than measure the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.
F0 / EF040 to 72 mph on the F scale, 65 to 85 mph on the EF scale
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
F1 / EF173 to 112 mph on the F scale, 86 to 110 mph on the EF scale
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
F2 / EF2113 to 157 mph on the F scale, 111 to 135 mph on the EF scale
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
F3 / EF3158 to 206 mph on the F scale, 136 to 165 mph on the EF scale
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
F4 / EF4207 to 260 mph on the F scale, 166 to 200 mph on the EF scale
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
F5 / EF5261 to 318 mph on the F scale, over 200 mph on the EF scale
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unrated
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.
Now
- Tornadoes
- 93
- Deaths
- 1
- Injuries
- 21
- F4 and above
- 2
- Worst on record
- EF4, August 26, 2007
The deadliest in Grand Forks County
The strongest
- EF4 Mayville–Thompson tornado, North DakotaJune 17, 2010
- EF4 Northwood tornado, North DakotaAugust 26, 2007
- EF3, Nelson and Grand Forks counties, North DakotaAugust 26, 2007
- F3, Grand Forks County, North DakotaAugust 11, 1958
- EF2, Grand Forks County, North DakotaJune 17, 2010
- EF2, Grand Forks and Polk counties, North Dakota and MinnesotaAugust 26, 2007
- F2, Grand Forks County, North DakotaJune 30, 1955
- EF2, Grand Forks County, North DakotaJune 27, 2015
- EF2, Grand Forks County, North DakotaAugust 10, 2010
- F2, Grand Forks County, North DakotaMay 26, 1978
Every year with a tornado
The 32 years of the 76 in the record with a tornado in Grand Forks County. Each year links to every tornado in North Dakota that year.
Every tornado that crossed Grand Forks County
93 tornadoes, newest first.
| Date | Time | Rating | Where | Path (mi) | Width (yd) | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 8, 2025 | 4:12 AM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks to MN | 4.0 | 400 | |||
| August 8, 2025 | 4:12 AM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks to MN | 5.7 | 50 | |||
| August 8, 2025 | 4:05 AM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 30 | |||
| August 8, 2025 | 3:57 AM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.2 | 20 | |||
| August 8, 2025 | 3:55 AM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.2 | 20 | |||
| August 8, 2025 | 3:54 AM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 2.0 | 30 | |||
| August 8, 2025 | 3:51 AM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 4.8 | 70 | |||
| August 8, 2025 | 3:48 AM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 1.3 | 100 | |||
| August 8, 2025 | 3:48 AM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 3.0 | 75 | |||
| August 8, 2025 | 3:47 AM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 2.1 | 20 | |||
| July 7, 2025 | 7:56 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 0.6 | 30 | |||
| July 22, 2022 | 12:31 AM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 1.2 | 150 | |||
| June 24, 2022 | 5:34 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 2.9 | 100 | |||
| August 9, 2021 | 9:42 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 1.1 | 150 | $1,000 | ||
| June 8, 2020 | 5:09 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 3.0 | 150 | $5,000 | ||
| June 8, 2020 | 4:30 PM CDT | EF1 | Steele | 7.0 | 250 | $35,000 | ||
| June 29, 2018 | 3:55 AM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 1.8 | 200 | |||
| June 8, 2018 | 5:30 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 1.0 | 100 | |||
| June 8, 2018 | 5:12 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.9 | 100 | |||
| July 11, 2017 | 6:50 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 5.8 | 1,150 | |||
| July 11, 2017 | 6:25 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 5.9 | 150 | $2,000 | ||
| July 11, 2017 | 5:51 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 1.0 | 100 | $2,000 | ||
| June 7, 2017 | 1:23 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 1.9 | 75 | |||
| June 7, 2017 | 1:18 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 1.0 | 100 | |||
| June 7, 2017 | 1:17 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.6 | 100 | |||
| June 7, 2017 | 1:02 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.3 | 50 | |||
| June 7, 2017 | 12:49 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.4 | 25 | |||
| August 27, 2016 | 4:18 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 4.0 | 600 | |||
| August 27, 2016 | 4:12 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.5 | 100 | |||
| July 7, 2016 | 5:15 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.5 | 40 | |||
| July 7, 2016 | 5:06 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.3 | 20 | |||
| July 12, 2015 | 4:35 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 27, 2015 | 6:02 PM CDT | EF2 | Grand Forks | 3.0 | 400 | |||
| June 27, 2015 | 5:38 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 2.0 | 50 | |||
| June 27, 2015 | 5:13 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 1.0 | 50 | |||
| June 27, 2015 | 4:55 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 5.3 | 150 | |||
| July 21, 2014 | 8:29 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 8.0 | 300 | |||
| July 12, 2012 | 4:38 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 2.5 | 200 | |||
| June 20, 2012 | 7:02 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 1.4 | 30 | |||
| June 20, 2012 | 6:49 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 1.2 | 20 | |||
| August 10, 2010 | 1:36 PM CDT | EF2 | Grand Forks | 0.9 | 50 | |||
| June 21, 2010 | 3:55 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 7.0 | 100 | |||
| June 17, 2010 | 5:37 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 2.0 | 25 | |||
| June 17, 2010 | 5:35 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 4.0 | 75 | |||
| June 17, 2010 | 5:30 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 8.0 | 30 | |||
| June 17, 2010 | 5:22 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 1.0 | 25 | |||
| June 17, 2010 | 4:47 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 10.0 | 50 | |||
| June 17, 2010 | 4:31 PM CDT | EF2 | Grand Forks | 7.0 | 100 | |||
| June 17, 2010 | 3:49 PM CDT | EF4 | Mayville–Thompson tornado | 17.0 | 150 | 1 | ||
| June 26, 2009 | 7:43 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 25 | |||
| June 26, 2009 | 7:22 PM CDT | EF0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 25 | |||
| June 26, 2009 | 6:30 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 7.0 | 200 | |||
| August 26, 2007 | 10:00 PM CDT | EF2 | Grand Forks to MN | 5.0 | 300 | |||
| August 26, 2007 | 9:18 PM CDT | EF1 | Grand Forks | 5.0 | 150 | |||
| August 26, 2007 | 8:42 PM CDT | EF4 | Northwood tornado | 5.0 | 1,400 | 1 | 18 | $50 million |
| August 26, 2007 | 8:04 PM CDT | EF3 | Nelson | 6.0 | 580 | |||
| June 19, 2005 | 4:10 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.2 | 50 | |||
| June 19, 2005 | 4:00 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.2 | 50 | |||
| May 20, 2005 | 4:55 PM CDT | F1 | Grand Forks | 2.5 | 75 | |||
| May 20, 2005 | 4:38 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 1.0 | 50 | |||
| July 18, 2004 | 7:20 PM CDT | F1 | Grand Forks | 4.0 | 50 | $10,000 | ||
| July 18, 2004 | 7:00 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.5 | 25 | |||
| June 23, 2004 | 11:15 AM CDT | F1 | Grand Forks | 6.5 | 50 | |||
| June 23, 2004 | 10:44 AM CDT | F1 | Grand Forks | 6.0 | 50 | |||
| May 19, 2004 | 6:39 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 25 | |||
| May 19, 2004 | 6:18 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 25 | |||
| May 19, 2004 | 5:51 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.5 | 25 | |||
| May 19, 2004 | 5:35 PM CDT | F0 | Nelson | 1.0 | 25 | |||
| July 18, 2001 | 12:14 AM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 1.0 | 25 | |||
| July 18, 2001 | 12:04 AM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.5 | 25 | |||
| June 20, 2001 | 1:55 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.5 | 25 | |||
| June 12, 2000 | 7:43 PM CDT | F1 | Grand Forks | 0.5 | 200 | |||
| June 12, 2000 | 7:03 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.5 | 20 | |||
| June 12, 2000 | 6:35 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.5 | 30 | |||
| June 27, 1998 | 8:15 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.2 | 30 | |||
| July 27, 1993 | 4:33 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 22, 1992 | 6:35 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 22, 1992 | 6:29 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 13 | |||
| August 5, 1987 | 7:35 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.2 | 13 | |||
| May 11, 1986 | 12:40 AM CDT | F1 | Grand Forks | 0.2 | 13 | $500 to $5,000 | ||
| August 25, 1983 | 9:45 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.3 | 10 | under $50 | ||
| August 25, 1983 | 9:30 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.3 | 10 | under $50 | ||
| July 4, 1982 | 8:38 PM CDT | F1 | Grand Forks | 0.6 | 13 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| June 27, 1981 | 9:29 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.3 | 10 | |||
| June 3, 1979 | 10:00 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| July 24, 1978 | 6:20 PM CDT | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 26, 1978 | 7:30 AM CDT | F2 | Grand Forks | 0.5 | 20 | $50,000 to $500,000 | ||
| August 11, 1958 | 5:06 PM GMT-5 | F3 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 10 | 2 | $5,000 to $50,000 | |
| July 11, 1957 | 4:56 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 10 | under $50 | ||
| July 18, 1956 | 4:00 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 16, 1956 | 4:30 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 30, 1955 | 4:30 PM GMT-5 | F2 | Grand Forks | 4.1 | 77 | $500 to $5,000 | ||
| July 9, 1952 | 4:00 PM GMT-5 | F2 | Grand Forks | 0.1 | 10 | $500 to $5,000 |
Nearby
Warnings in force in Grand Forks CountyThe forecast for Grand Forks CountyThe live radar over Grand Forks CountyEvery county in North Dakota
What this means
Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.
Sources
NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.