Revealed: North Dakota’s ‘Tornado Alley’

We aren't quite in the clear yet as far as winter goes in North Dakota, but the temperatures are rising this week, and it's almost daylight savings time, so many of us are thinking ahead to spring.

I was thinking about spring and summer in North Dakota this year. Will it be full of sunshine? Will it be a stormy season? I started looking into that, and found something pretty interesting. Did you know that North Dakota has its own "Tornado Alley"?

Of course, North Dakota isn't a hotspot for tornadoes, though last year was pretty intense (82 tornadoes), but we do have an area that stretches across our state known for getting more tornadoes than most.

(Also Read: Why North Dakotans Should Keep A Quarter In Their Freezers)

According to GroundZeroShelters.com, North Dakota has an average of 32 tornadoes a year, which seems high, but if you compare it to other states, it's not that bad. Prairie Public record reported that tornadoes are most likely to touch down in the eastern part of the state.

North Dakota's Tornado Alley

According to a 2023 report from KX News, Grand Forks County has had the most tornadoes since the year 2000.

Grand Forks County is followed by Steele County, Nelson County, Griggs County, and Pembina County. Here is what our little "Tornado Alley" looks like when you put the data together.

All of these counties are close to each other. I think it's safe to say that the area right near our Minnesota border is one to avoid during the June and July months, when, according to Ground Zero, we are most likely to get hit with tornadoes.

Have you ever spotted a tornado in North Dakota? Send us your pictures and videos in the app!