Bismarck, ND Tornado History — 59 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Bismarck, ND had?
Bismarck has had 59 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Bismarck?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bismarck was an Unrated on September 14, 2025.
When is tornado season in Bismarck?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bismarck, with 27 on record. April through June account for 35 of the 59 tornadoes on record near Bismarck.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Bismarck
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 22 total, averaging 1.1 per year over this window.
What storm spotters reported near Bismarck
7 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Bismarck and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on June 20, 2025 and the most recent on September 14, 2025. They are already counted in the Bismarck totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
Storm chaser reports tornado. (BIS)
Storm chaser reports tornado just east of Menoken. (BIS)
Multiple reports of multiple cone tornadoes north of Hazelton Recreation area. (BIS)
(BIS)
Second of two tornadoes north of Bismarck. Video footage of tornado on ground starting at 10:29 PM with dissipation at 10:34 PM. Tornado appeared to be slowly drifting (BIS)
Trained spotter reported elephant trunk with faint intermittent brief ground circulations from their view. Lasted until 8:38 PM. (BIS)
QLCS tornado damage reported through social media. Damage track starts approximately 6 miles north-northwest of Sweet Briar Lake and approximately 9 minutes prior to th (BIS)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
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 Bismarck
3 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Bismarck since 1950, across 2 events. 49 injuries have been reported across all events. 1953 was the deadliest year on record near Bismarck.
The deadliest single event was an F5 on May 29, 1953, which caused 2 fatalities along a 14.8-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Bismarck
What the record shows near Bismarck
The 2000s were the busiest decade near Bismarck, with 13 of the 59 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 11 so far. The Bismarck record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Bismarck, 45 reached EF0 or EF1 and 6 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Bismarck is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged. A further 8 near Bismarck are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Bismarck has averaged 1.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 22 in total. 2025 was the busiest of them with 10, and 14 of those years passed with none at all.