Williston, ND Tornado History — 20 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Williston, ND had?
Williston has had 20 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Williston?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Williston was an Unrated on September 17, 2025.
When is tornado season in Williston?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Williston, with 9 on record. April through June account for 8 of the 20 tornadoes on record near Williston.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Williston
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 4 total, averaging 0.2 per year over this window.
What storm spotters reported near Williston
2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Williston and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on September 12, 2025 and the most recent on September 17, 2025. They are already counted in the Williston totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
Public report relayed by broadcast media of a likely landspout tornado. Location estimated by radar. (BIS)
Multiple reports of a funnel cloud followed by a tornado. Confirmed by a 911 dispatch center. Estimated location based on radar. (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
Have any tornadoes near Williston been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Williston from any of the 20 tornadoes since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Williston
What the record shows near Williston
The 1950s were the busiest decade near Williston, with 4 of the 20 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 3 so far. The Williston record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Williston, 14 reached EF0 or EF1 and 3 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Williston is rated EF2, of which 3 are logged. A further 3 near Williston are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Williston has averaged 0.2 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 4 in total. 2025 was the busiest of them with 2, and 17 of those years passed with none at all.