Grand Forks, ND Tornado History — 120 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Grand Forks, ND had?
Grand Forks has had 120 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Grand Forks?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Grand Forks was an EF0 on August 8, 2025.
When is tornado season in Grand Forks?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Grand Forks, with 50 on record. April through June account for 62 of the 120 tornadoes on record near Grand Forks.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Grand Forks
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 56 total, averaging 2.8 per year over this window.
What storm spotters reported near Grand Forks
5 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Grand Forks and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 15, 2025 and the most recent on August 7, 2025. They are already counted in the Grand Forks totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
Intermittent path through town with higher end damage concentrated along path of correlated broad radar signature. Tornado rated EF-1 with estimated peak winds of 100 M (FGF)
Brief touchdown currently surveyed. Will reassess the track when high resolution satellite data comes in. Max winds are estimated at 105 mph... with a rating of EF-1. (FGF)
EF1 tornado tracked roughly west to east for almost 3 miles damaging shelterbelts... 2 pivot irrigation systems and some crop damage. (FGF)
(FGF)
Polk County Sheriffs Office relayed report from on duty deputy of tornado east of Crookston. Time and location estimated from radar. (FGF)
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
Have any tornadoes near Grand Forks been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Grand Forks from any of the 120 tornadoes since 1950, though 13 injuries have been reported, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Grand Forks
What the record shows near Grand Forks
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Grand Forks, with 35 of the 120 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 14 so far. The Grand Forks record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Grand Forks, 102 reached EF0 or EF1 and 18 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Grand Forks is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Grand Forks has averaged 2.8 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 56 in total. 2010 was the busiest of them with 10, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.