White Bear Lake, MN Tornado History — 97 Tornadoes Since 1950
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 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. 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 White Bear Lake
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 42 total, averaging 2.1 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 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.
The deadliest single event was a F4 on May 6, 1965, which caused 6 fatalities along a 17.3-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near White Bear Lake
About Tornadoes in White Bear Lake
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.
White Bear Lake, Minnesota, sits in a region that has experienced considerable tornado activity over the past seven decades. According to data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 90 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of the city since 1950. The frequency of these events has increased notably in recent decades, with only 6 tornadoes documented in the 1950s compared to 19 in the 2000s and 17 in the 2010s. Through the 2020s to date, 12 tornadoes have already been recorded. July stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the area, accounting for 30 of the 90 total events.
The majority of tornadoes near White Bear Lake have been relatively weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale. Of the 90 recorded events, 50 were rated EF0 and 21 were rated EF1, meaning most produced light to moderate damage. However, the area has also seen stronger tornadoes: 11 were rated EF2, 5 reached EF3 intensity, and 3 achieved EF4 status. The Enhanced Fujita scale, which replaced the original Fujita scale in 2007, rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on the damage they cause to structures and vegetation.
The deadliest tornado on record within this radius occurred on May 7, 1965, when an F4 tornado claimed 6 lives and caused $27,500,000 in property damage. This violent tornado carved a path 17.3 miles long and reached a maximum width of 667 yards. The costliest tornado struck on May 22, 2011, when an EF1 tornado resulted in $166,620,000 in damage and 1 fatality despite its relatively lower intensity rating. The widest tornado recorded was an F2 on June 25, 1954, which reached 1,760 yards in width, while the longest-tracked tornado was an F2 on May 11, 1953, that traveled an extraordinary 105.7 miles and caused 4 fatalities.
Tornado activity in the White Bear Lake area has remained ongoing into recent years. The most recent tornado occurred on August 29, 2024, when an EF1 tornado with a maximum width of 250 yards traveled 3.6 miles. Fortunately, this event resulted in no fatalities or reported property damage.