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White Bear Lake, MN Tornado History — 97 Tornadoes Since 1950

Minnesota · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has White Bear Lake, MN had?

White Bear Lake has had 97 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 10 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near White Bear Lake?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of White Bear Lake was an EF1 on August 29, 2024.

When is tornado season in White Bear Lake?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near White Bear Lake, with 32 on record. April through June account for 35 of the 97 tornadoes on record near White Bear Lake.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
97
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
10
10.3% of total
Peak Month
July
32 on record
Per Year Avg
1.3
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near White Bear Lake

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 42 total, averaging 2.1 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 0
2024 2
2023 0
2022 5
2021 1
2020 4
2019 1
2018 0
2017 4
2016 0
2015 1
2014 1
2013 1
2012 4
2011 5
2010 1
2009 7
2008 4
2007 1

What storm spotters reported near White Bear Lake

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of White Bear Lake and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 15, 2025 and the most recent on May 15, 2025. It is already counted in the White Bear Lake totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.

May 15, 2025
3 N Roberts, St. Croix County, WI
Deputy reported a tornado on the ground north of Roberts along 110th. (MPX)

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 9
1960s 10
1970s 6
1980s 7
1990s 14
2000s 21
2010s 18
2020s 12

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 51
EF1 23
EF2 13
EF3 6
EF4 4

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 0
Apr 2
May 18
Jun 15
Jul 32
Aug 17
Sep 8
Oct 1
Nov 4
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near White Bear Lake

24 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of White Bear Lake since 1950, across 10 events. 660 injuries have been reported across all events. 1965 was the deadliest year on record near White Bear Lake.

The deadliest single event was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which caused 6 fatalities along a 17.3-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near White Bear Lake

Deadliest Tornado
F4 on May 6, 1965 — 6 fatalities, 17.3 mi path, 667 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF1 on May 22, 2011 — $166.6M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
F2 on June 25, 1954 — 1,760 yards wide.
Longest Path
F2 on May 10, 1953 — 105.7 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on August 29, 2024.

What the record shows near White Bear Lake

The 2000s were the busiest decade near White Bear Lake, with 21 of the 97 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 12 so far. The White Bear Lake record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near White Bear Lake, 74 reached EF0 or EF1 and 23 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near White Bear Lake is rated EF4, of which 4 are logged.

Across the last 20 years White Bear Lake has averaged 2.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 42 in total. 2009 was the busiest of them with 7, and 5 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has White Bear Lake, MN had?
Since 1950, 97 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of White Bear Lake. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near White Bear Lake?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of White Bear Lake was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which caused 6 fatalities.
When is tornado season in White Bear Lake?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near White Bear Lake, with 32 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 White Bear Lake been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of White Bear Lake, there have been 0 EF5 and 4 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 White Bear Lake?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of White Bear Lake was an EF1 on August 29, 2024.
How do I get tornado warnings for White Bear Lake?
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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