Helena, MT Tornado History — 5 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Helena, MT had?
Helena has had 5 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Helena?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Helena was a F0 on June 27, 1997.
When is tornado season in Helena?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Helena, with 3 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
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
Have any tornadoes near Helena been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Helena from any of the 5 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Helena
About Tornadoes in Helena
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.
Helena, Montana has experienced relatively minimal tornado activity since modern record-keeping began in 1950, with only five tornadoes documented within 25 miles of the city. All five events were rated EF0, the weakest classification on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating wind speeds between 65 and 85 miles per hour. According to data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, none of these tornadoes resulted in fatalities, and property damage has been negligible throughout the city's recorded history.
The temporal distribution of Helena's tornadoes shows concentrated activity during two periods: a single event in the 1960s and four tornadoes during the 1990s. June has been the most active month, accounting for three of the five recorded tornadoes, which aligns with the general pattern across much of the United States where late spring and early summer provide the atmospheric conditions most conducive to tornado formation. One tornado occurred in July, while the remaining event took place outside these peak months.
The earliest documented tornado near Helena occurred on July 22, 1960, and remains the longest-tracked event on record with a path length of one mile and a maximum width of just 10 yards. The costliest tornado struck on June 12, 1993, causing $27,500 in property damage along a 0.1-mile path. Two tornadoes tied for the widest on record, each reaching a maximum width of 10 yards: one on June 28, 1997, which was also the most recent tornado near Helena, and another earlier event. The 1997 tornado caused no property damage despite its brief touchdown.
The modest scale of tornado activity in Helena reflects the city's location in western Montana, where the Rocky Mountain terrain and regional climate patterns generally inhibit the development of the severe thunderstorms that spawn tornadoes. While tornadoes can occur anywhere given the right atmospheric conditions, Helena's experience demonstrates that some regions face considerably lower risk than others, with all recorded events remaining weak and causing minimal impact to the community.