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Buffalo, MN Tornado History — 90 Tornadoes Since 1950

Minnesota · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Buffalo, MN had?

Buffalo has had 90 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 8 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Buffalo?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Buffalo was an EF0 on June 28, 2025.

When is tornado season in Buffalo?

June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Buffalo, with 26 on record. April through June account for 46 of the 90 tornadoes on record near Buffalo.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
90
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
8
8.9% of total
Peak Month
June
26 on record
Per Year Avg
1.2
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Buffalo

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 27 total, averaging 1.4 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 3
2024 0
2023 1
2022 1
2021 0
2020 2
2019 3
2018 0
2017 2
2016 1
2015 2
2014 0
2013 0
2012 2
2011 2
2010 5
2009 1
2008 2
2007 0

What storm spotters reported near Buffalo

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Buffalo and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on June 28, 2025 and the most recent on June 28, 2025. It is already counted in the Buffalo totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.

June 29, 2025
1 NNW Victoria, Carver County, MN
Corrects previous tornado report from 1 NNW Victoria. TDS confirmed via radar. Trees were reported blocking Hwy 7 completely from Mnnewashta Pkwy to Rolling Acres Rd. (MPX)

Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 3
1960s 11
1970s 3
1980s 13
1990s 19
2000s 17
2010s 17
2020s 7

Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating

F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.

EF0 42
EF1 32
EF2 8
EF3 5
EF4 3

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 1
Apr 1
May 19
Jun 26
Jul 26
Aug 7
Sep 8
Oct 2
Nov 0
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near Buffalo

12 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Buffalo since 1950, across 6 events. 435 injuries have been reported across all events. 1951 was the deadliest year on record near Buffalo.

The deadliest single event was an F3 on July 20, 1951, which caused 5 fatalities along a 11.6-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Buffalo

Deadliest Tornado
F3 on July 20, 1951 — 5 fatalities, 11.6 mi path, 10 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F3 on July 23, 1987 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F3 on July 1, 1997 — 800 yards wide.
Longest Path
F4 on June 19, 1951 — 52.6 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on June 28, 2025.

What the record shows near Buffalo

The 1990s were the busiest decade near Buffalo, with 19 of the 90 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 7 so far. The Buffalo record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Buffalo, 74 reached EF0 or EF1 and 16 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Buffalo is rated EF4, of which 3 are logged.

Across the last 20 years Buffalo has averaged 1.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 27 in total. 2010 was the busiest of them with 5, and 7 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Buffalo, MN had?
Since 1950, 90 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Buffalo. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Buffalo?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Buffalo was an F3 on July 20, 1951, which caused 5 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Buffalo?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Buffalo, with 26 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
Has Buffalo been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Buffalo, there have been 0 EF5 and 3 EF4 tornadoes recorded since 1950. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are the most destructive ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds above 166 mph.
When was the most recent tornado near Buffalo?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Buffalo was an EF0 on June 28, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Buffalo?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

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