Benson storm history
Storm events recorded in Benson, North Dakota between 1950 and 2025.
833
Total events
49
Tornadoes
297
Hail
64
Floods
0
Deaths
$68.2M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
Tornado F3 Tornado
Downburst winds and tornadoes tore down 31 miles of 230 kV power transmission lines crossing far eastern Pierce and western Benson counties. The 25 mile section from the Pierce county line to 2 miles northwest of Minnewaukan was blown down between 5:00 am to 5:20 am CDT by winds …
Hail Hail
Social media report - Time estimated via radar. Handful of nickel to quarter sized hail with one larger stone of at least half dollar size.
Hail Hail
Social media report of hail up 1.25 inches.
Hail Hail
Report relayed through social media. Time estimated by radar.
High Wind High Wind
Mesonet station ND028 Leeds ess,US-2.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Mesonet station 320509 Baker ND NDAWN reported a wind chill of minus 52.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Mesonet station 320509 Baker ND ndawn reported wind chill of minus 57.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Mesonet station 320509 Baker North Dakota ndawn measured a -41 wind chill.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Wind and cold air temperatures combined to create excessive cold conditions with apparent temperature as cold as -54F on the morning of the 20th at the Maddock NDAWN sensor.
High Wind High Wind
Measured gust of 62mph at the ND DOT sensor near Saint Michael on hwy 20.
Blizzard Blizzard
Based on wind reports from the Niles 3 SE NDAWN over the course of the day showing max wind speeds over 35 MPH for over 3 hours combined with falling snow, we can infer that blizzard conditions of 1/4 mile or less visibility did occur in Benson county.
High Wind High Wind
NDDOT sensor 7 E of Leeds reports 67 mph peak gust.
High Wind High Wind
NDAWN station 3 SE Niles reports 66 mph at 10 meters.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Public reports large trees down in town. Time estimated.
Hail Hail
Public reports 1.25 inch hail. Time estimated from caller and radar.
Hail Hail
Public reports quarter sized hail. Time estimated from radar.
Hail Hail
Emergency Manager reports 1 inch hail. Time estimated from radar.
Hail Hail
Half dollar to ping pong ball sized hail. Covered 15 to 20% of the ground.
Hail Hail
Emergency Manager reports quarter sized hail. Time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Nearby personal weather station measured maximum sustained winds of 53 MPH, with gusts to 72 MPH.
High Wind High Wind
Leeds RWIS reports a high wind gust of 62 MPH.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
ND DOT station reports peak gust of 55 mph.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Leeds NDDOT station reports a minimum wind chill of -48F.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
NDDOT station 4 west of Churchs Ferry reports a wind chill of -51.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Public reports 7.5 inches at Black Tiger Bay Campground in Saint Michael.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Public reports 11 inches of storm total snowfall 4 SW of Oberon.
Hail Hail
Report relayed via broadcast media from the public.
Hail Hail
Trained Spotter reports 1.5 inch hail 4 miles SW of Oberon, ND.
Drought Drought
Benson county experienced D2 drought for the entire month of September, with a period from September 1st through the 26th being in D3 drought in the northern portion.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Broadcast media relayed report and pictures of a gas station canopy on a vehicle downed by thunderstorm wind gusts near Saint Michael. Time estimated from radar.
Blizzard Blizzard
Leeds RWIS reports 1/4SM visibility or less from 8:30 am to 11:30 am with a peak wind of 44 MPH.
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
NDAWN station Baker 1N reports -40 or lower wind chills from 2/22 10P through 2/23 11A with the lowest being -45 degrees.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Niles 3SE NDAWN reports -40F wind chill or lower, lowest reported being -47F.
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
NDAWN site Maddock 2N reports wind chills of -40 to -44.
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
NDAWN station Baker 1N reports an average wind chill of -56 at 10 AM on December 20th, 2022. Averages throughout the day ranged from -41 to -56.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
It was reported that Oberon (4SW) received an estimated 6.5 inches of snowfall. This information was shared via social media.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
NDAWN site in Maddock reports 42 MPH wind gust.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Broadcast Media relays report of heavy snow in Leeds, North Dakota. 8 inches of snow was measured.
High Wind High Wind
NDDOT remote weather information system 7 miles east of Leeds reports a 59 MPH gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Peak wind was measured at an NDAWN station 3 miles south east of Niles North Dakota.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees reported blown down in York. Report received via social media and time estimated via radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees were blown down in Leeds. Report was received via social media, with time estimated by radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Peak wind gust at 10 meters was measured at an NDAWN station 3 miles southeast of Niles.
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 0 |
| 2024 | 14 | 0 |
| 2023 | 9 | 0 |
| 2022 | 45 | 0 |
| 2021 | 22 | 0 |
| 2020 | 24 | 3 |
| 2019 | 21 | 0 |
| 2018 | 17 | 1 |
| 2017 | 26 | 2 |
| 2016 | 40 | 0 |
| 2015 | 24 | 1 |
| 2014 | 11 | 0 |
| 2013 | 18 | 0 |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 |
| 2011 | 27 | 2 |
| 2010 | 31 | 2 |
| 2009 | 20 | 1 |
| 2008 | 38 | 1 |
| 2007 | 36 | 1 |
| 2006 | 20 | 0 |
| 2005 | 71 | 6 |
| 2004 | 32 | 0 |
| 2003 | 15 | 1 |
| 2002 | 42 | 2 |
| 2001 | 32 | 5 |
| 2000 | 36 | 2 |
| 1999 | 21 | 3 |
| 1998 | 13 | 0 |
| 1997 | 16 | 0 |
| 1996 | 26 | 1 |
| 1994 | 3 | 0 |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 | 11 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | 5 | 0 |
| 1988 | 3 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 | 1 |
| 1986 | 5 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 1 |
| 1983 | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 | 8 | 0 |
| 1981 | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 2 | 1 |
| 1978 | 3 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 |
| 1976 | 4 | 3 |
| 1974 | 1 | 1 |
| 1973 | 2 | 0 |
| 1972 | 2 | 0 |
| 1967 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 1 | 1 |
| 1965 | 2 | 2 |
| 1964 | 1 | 1 |
| 1963 | 1 | 1 |
| 1962 | 1 | 1 |
| 1961 | 1 | 0 |
| 1959 | 1 | 1 |
| 1958 | 1 | 1 |