VORTEX
TORNADO HISTORY
← All Cities

River Falls, WI Tornado History — 90 Tornadoes Since 1950

Wisconsin · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has River Falls, WI had?

River Falls has had 90 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near River Falls?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of River Falls was an EF2 on May 15, 2025.

When is tornado season in River Falls?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near River Falls, with 29 on record. April through June account for 32 of the 90 tornadoes on record near River Falls.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
90
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
4
4.4% of total
Peak Month
July
29 on record
Per Year Avg
1.2
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near River Falls

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 37 total, averaging 1.9 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 1
2024 4
2023 0
2022 3
2021 1
2020 2
2019 0
2018 4
2017 2
2016 1
2015 0
2014 1
2013 0
2012 2
2011 0
2010 3
2009 8
2008 4
2007 1

What storm spotters reported near River Falls

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of River Falls and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 15, 2025 and the most recent on May 15, 2025. It is already counted in the River Falls totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.

May 15, 2025
7 S Deer Park, St. Croix County, WI
Sent photo of ongoing tornado. (MPX)

Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 9
1960s 8
1970s 7
1980s 11
1990s 9
2000s 22
2010s 13
2020s 11

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.

EF0 51
EF1 21
EF2 14
EF3 3
EF5 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 1
Apr 1
May 13
Jun 18
Jul 29
Aug 18
Sep 6
Oct 2
Nov 2
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near River Falls

27 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of River Falls since 1950, across 4 events. 208 injuries have been reported across all events. 1958 was the deadliest year on record near River Falls.

The deadliest single event was an F5 on June 4, 1958, which caused 21 fatalities along a 33.7-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near River Falls

Deadliest Tornado
F5 on June 4, 1958 — 21 fatalities, 33.7 mi path, 880 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F3 on June 14, 1981 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F2 on June 25, 1954 — 1,760 yards wide.
Longest Path
F2 on May 10, 1953 — 105.7 mile track.
Most Recent
EF2 on May 15, 2025.

What the record shows near River Falls

The 2000s were the busiest decade near River Falls, with 22 of the 90 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 11 so far. The River Falls record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near River Falls, 72 reached EF0 or EF1 and 18 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near River Falls is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years River Falls has averaged 1.9 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 37 in total. 2009 was the busiest of them with 8, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has River Falls, WI had?
Since 1950, 90 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of River Falls. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near River Falls?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of River Falls was an F5 on June 4, 1958, which caused 21 fatalities.
When is tornado season in River Falls?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near River Falls, with 29 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
Has River Falls been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of River Falls, there has been 1 EF5 and 0 EF4 tornado recorded since 1950. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are the most destructive ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds above 166 mph.
When was the most recent tornado near River Falls?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of River Falls was an EF2 on May 15, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for River Falls?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

More Cities in Wisconsin