Cottage Grove, MN Tornado History — 106 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Cottage Grove, MN had?
Cottage Grove has had 106 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 8 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Cottage Grove?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Cottage Grove was an EF0 on August 29, 2024.
When is tornado season in Cottage Grove?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Cottage Grove, with 26 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Cottage Grove
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 45 total, averaging 2.3 per year over this window.
Tornadoes by Decade
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.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Cottage Grove
23 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Cottage Grove since 1950, across 9 events. 650 injuries have been reported across all events. 1965 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F4 on May 6, 1965, which caused 6 fatalities along a 17.3-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Cottage Grove
About Tornadoes in Cottage Grove
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
According to data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 99 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Cottage Grove, Minnesota since 1950. This activity reflects the region's position in an area where warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico frequently collides with cooler air masses, creating conditions favorable for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes during the spring and summer months.
Tornado frequency in the Cottage Grove area has increased notably over recent decades. The 1950s and 1970s saw relatively modest activity with 5 and 6 tornadoes respectively, while the 1990s through 2020s have each recorded between 16 and 18 events per decade. July stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, with 24 tornadoes on record during that month. The majority of recorded tornadoes have been relatively weak, with 57 rated EF0 and 27 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. However, the area has also experienced 8 EF2 tornadoes, 5 EF3 tornadoes, and 2 EF4 tornadoes.
The deadliest tornado on record occurred on May 7, 1965, when an F4-rated tornado claimed 6 lives, caused $27,500,000 in property damage, and carved a path 17.3 miles long with a maximum width of 667 yards. The costliest event took place on May 22, 2011, when an EF1 tornado resulted in 1 fatality and $166,620,000 in damage along a 13.6-mile track. The longest-track tornado in the area's history was an F2 that traveled 105.7 miles on May 11, 1953, causing 4 fatalities and $2,750,000 in damage. The widest tornado, reaching 1,760 yards across, was an F2 that struck on June 25, 1954, causing $27,500 in damage but no fatalities.
The most recent tornado near Cottage Grove was an EF0 that occurred on August 29, 2024, traveling 7.9 miles with a maximum width of 50 yards. This event caused no fatalities or property damage, illustrating that while tornadoes remain a regular occurrence in the area, many pass through with minimal impact.