Nelson storm history
Storm events recorded in Nelson, North Dakota between 1950 and 2025.
708
Total events
41
Tornadoes
180
Hail
59
Floods
0
Deaths
$18.3M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
Tornado EF3 Tornado
This tornado continued into western Grand Forks County, where it dissipated 3 miles west-northwest of Logan Center at 716 pm CST. The total tornado track was about 6 miles long, with about 5 miles of this total occurring in Nelson County. The tornado destroyed a garage and farm o…
Tornado F3 Tornado
A tornado hit the home of the Nelson county sheriff, who was out of town at the time. The tornado tore the roof off the house and destroyed the barn. A piece of farm machinery was thrown through the bedroom wall and a tractor was hurled 75 yards. The sheriff's squad car was crush…
After 10 to 15 inches of rain fell across portions of east central Nelson county, flash flooding occurred. Part of the road shoulder washed out at the US Highway 2 overpass near Petersburg, reducing the traffic to one lane. Several farmsteads were surrounded by water. 45 percent …
Blizzard Blizzard
Visibility reductions under a quarter mile started at 5:00 am and persisted through 1:00 pm. Peak winds were 59mph.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Based on reports by Nelson County and matching NOHRSC analysis, we can extrapolate that 6 to 8 inches of snow fell across the majority of Nelson County, ND.
Hail Hail
Largest hail was quarter size.
Hail Hail
Report of quarter size hail.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
NDAWN station 3W of Michigan reported a wind gust of 67 mph. Mesonet station 325769 Michigan ND NDAWN.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
NDAWN station 1NNE Pekin reported a 62 mph wind gust at the 10 meter sensor. Mesonet station 325765 Pekin ND NDAWN.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Pekin ndawn reported a wind chill of minus 41.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Mesonet station 325769 Michigan ND NDAWN reported a wind chill of minus 49.
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 -50F on the morning of the 20th at the Pekin NDAWN.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Snow fall total measured at 9.0 inches in Lakota by law enforcement.
High Wind High Wind
NDDOT sensor 1 E of Lakota reports 67 mph peak gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Peak gust from a Davis personal weather station.
High Wind High Wind
High wind gust from the NDAWN station in Pekin.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
NDAWN site 2 northeast of Pekin reports a 59 MPH wind gust.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Logan Center NDAWN reports a minimum wind chill of -46F.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
NDDOT station in Lakota reports wind chill of -41F.
Ice Storm Ice Storm
Emergency Manager reports that several locations in Nelson county received 0.25 inches of storm total ice accumulation.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Public reports 10 inches of storm total snowfall 1 W Petersburg.
Hail Hail
Public reports 20 minutes of quarter sized hail. Also reports crop damage occurred with 100% loss.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Broadcast Media relays 6 inches of snow in Aneta.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
At 5 AM 4/21, Michigan CO-OP observer reported 6 inches of snow.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Michigan Co-OP Observer reports 11 inches of storm total snow.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Storm total snow of 10 inches in Michigan. Liquid equivalent of 0.51 inches.
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
NDAWN Station in Michigan 2W reports wind chills lower than -40 from 2/22 9P through 2/23 6A with the lowest being -44 degrees.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Michigan2W NDAWN reports wind chills of -40F or lower, with the lowest being -47F.
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
NDAWN site Michigan 2W reports wind chills of -40 to -44.
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
NDAWN station Michigan 2W reports an average wind chill of -50 from 9 to 10 AM on December 20th, 2022. Averages throughout the day ranged from -40 to -50.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
A CoOp observer in Michigan, ND reported a measurement of 9 inches of snow.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
The CoOp observer in Michigan, ND reported a storm total of 18.5 inches of snow for the time spanning Tuesday morning through Friday morning.
Blizzard Blizzard
Widespread Blizzard conditions with visibility below 1/4 mile and winds gusting over 35 MPH from noon to 7 PM.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Storm total snowfall of 13.5 inches from COOP station MCEN8 in Michigan, ND.
High Wind High Wind
NDAWN station 2 NE Pekin reports a 10-meter wind gust of 58mph.
Drought Drought
Portions of SW Nelson county in D2 drought from November 1st - November 14th, 2022.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Large tree branches were blown down at the northern Lakeview campground. Boats and boat dock flipped on northern stump lake. One small metal storage shed was blown down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several large, 4 to 8 inch tree branches were broken down, and large spruce trees were snapped.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Peak wind gust was measured at an NDAWN station at the 10 meter height. Several large trees were snapped or uprooted in the nearby community of Pekin. Empty steel grain bins were also partially caved in near Pekin.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Numerous mature cottonwood, ash, and spruce trees were snapped or uprooted around town.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several large cottonwood, ash and spruce trees were snapped or uprooted. Shingles and roof trim was torn from the roofs of several homes.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Peak wind was measured at a personal weather station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
An NDAWN station measured a 10 meter wind gust to 58 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A large tree was blown down at a farmstead. Report and photo was posted via social media. Time estimated based on radar and nearby wind sensor reports.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A persistent wall cloud with brief funnel and tornado was noted and filmed by chasers located in Tolna. The tornado likely lasted for a minute or less as it tracked eastward, well behind the initial storm outflow, for a half mile or less. Peak winds estimated to 75 mph, with a ma…
Tornado EF0 Tornado
Persistent wall cloud, with brief funnel and large and dusty ground swirl reported over an open field. Tornado lasted less than a minute and was viewed from near Pekin. Peak winds estimated to 75 mph. Maximum width to 100 yards.
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 0 |
| 2024 | 7 | 0 |
| 2023 | 9 | 0 |
| 2022 | 41 | 3 |
| 2021 | 21 | 0 |
| 2020 | 17 | 1 |
| 2019 | 33 | 1 |
| 2018 | 24 | 2 |
| 2017 | 16 | 2 |
| 2016 | 31 | 1 |
| 2015 | 23 | 2 |
| 2014 | 18 | 1 |
| 2013 | 18 | 0 |
| 2012 | 14 | 0 |
| 2011 | 19 | 0 |
| 2010 | 16 | 1 |
| 2009 | 19 | 1 |
| 2008 | 20 | 0 |
| 2007 | 33 | 4 |
| 2006 | 28 | 0 |
| 2005 | 38 | 0 |
| 2004 | 28 | 1 |
| 2003 | 23 | 0 |
| 2002 | 18 | 0 |
| 2001 | 29 | 7 |
| 2000 | 41 | 0 |
| 1999 | 12 | 2 |
| 1998 | 8 | 0 |
| 1997 | 10 | 1 |
| 1996 | 26 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 5 | 0 |
| 1992 | 6 | 0 |
| 1991 | 4 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | 4 | 1 |
| 1988 | 4 | 0 |
| 1987 | 6 | 3 |
| 1986 | 4 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 | 3 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 | 2 | 1 |
| 1979 | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 | 3 | 1 |
| 1977 | 1 | 1 |
| 1976 | 3 | 1 |
| 1974 | 4 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | 2 | 0 |