Ward storm history
Storm events recorded in Ward, North Dakota between 1950 and 2025.
794
Total events
55
Tornadoes
290
Hail
25
Floods
5
Deaths
$159.6M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
This tornado crossed from Burke County into Ward County. Note that for roughly three miles in the vicinity of the Des Lacs River, U.S. Highway 52 runs right on the Burke and Ward County line. The tornado was right on the highway in this area. This was the location of the worst da…
Ongoing snow and strong winds combined to produce a blizzard. One direct death occurred, a 73 year-old female in the city of Minot who was found near the Minot Post Office, which is located near the intersection of 5th Avenue SW and South Broadway.
Strong winds and heavy snow combined to produce a blizzard. In addition, periods of freezing rain occurred which accreted on power lines. This, combined with strong winds, led to extensive damage to power lines, cross arms, and poles, and thus widespread power outages.
Runoff from very heavy rain forced rapid dam releases along the Souris River which resulted in an overtopping of levees and eventual levee failure. Communities through Ward County along the Souris River were very severely impacted. A mandatory evacuation was ordered along the riv…
See the event episode narrative for details.
A severe thunderstorm moved through Ward County in the early morning hours. Hail the size of walnut to grapefruit did extensive damage to crops and property. A camper-bus convention was occuring at the time with extensive damage done to campers ranging in value up to 0.5M. Many w…
Blizzard Blizzard
Strong winds and snow combined to produce a blizzard.
High Wind High Wind
Minot ASOS reported wind gusts to 59 mph.
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A large tree fell on a camper and totaled it.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A large tree fell onto a mobile home and caused 6 large holes in the roof. The tree may have been struck by lightning.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A large tree was blown down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated by the public.
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Minimum wind chill values dropped to between 45 below to around 60 below over most locations.
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
Wind chill values dropped as low as 60 below.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Locations near Foxholm received seven inches of snow.
Blizzard Blizzard
Strong winds and snow combined to produce a blizzard.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Locations north of Minot received six inches of snow.
High Wind High Wind
Minot ASOS reported wind gusts to 74 mph.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A few tree branches blew down.
Hail Hail
Hail was accompanied by strong wind gusts to cause crop damage in the area.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated by a trained spotter.
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated by a trained spotter.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Hail Hail
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Strong thunderstorm winds in the Minot area downed tree branches and caused some shingle damage.
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | 0 |
| 2024 | 25 | 0 |
| 2023 | 11 | 0 |
| 2022 | 22 | 0 |
| 2021 | 24 | 0 |
| 2020 | 24 | 0 |
| 2019 | 22 | 0 |
| 2018 | 12 | 0 |
| 2017 | 7 | 0 |
| 2016 | 15 | 0 |
| 2015 | 13 | 0 |
| 2014 | 13 | 0 |
| 2013 | 29 | 0 |
| 2012 | 28 | 0 |
| 2011 | 36 | 0 |
| 2010 | 46 | 1 |
| 2009 | 16 | 0 |
| 2008 | 31 | 0 |
| 2007 | 32 | 1 |
| 2006 | 11 | 0 |
| 2005 | 22 | 1 |
| 2004 | 30 | 3 |
| 2003 | 20 | 0 |
| 2002 | 22 | 1 |
| 2001 | 23 | 1 |
| 2000 | 28 | 2 |
| 1999 | 20 | 3 |
| 1998 | 18 | 3 |
| 1997 | 13 | 3 |
| 1996 | 13 | 0 |
| 1995 | 5 | 1 |
| 1994 | 8 | 3 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 3 | 0 |
| 1991 | 8 | 0 |
| 1990 | 13 | 5 |
| 1989 | 3 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 3 | 1 |
| 1986 | 4 | 3 |
| 1985 | 4 | 1 |
| 1984 | 3 | 1 |
| 1983 | 15 | 1 |
| 1982 | 5 | 1 |
| 1981 | 4 | 0 |
| 1980 | 8 | 2 |
| 1979 | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 | 5 | 3 |
| 1977 | 9 | 2 |
| 1976 | 3 | 2 |
| 1975 | 3 | 0 |
| 1974 | 4 | 2 |
| 1973 | 2 | 0 |
| 1972 | 3 | 0 |
| 1971 | 3 | 0 |
| 1970 | 3 | 1 |
| 1969 | 2 | 2 |
| 1968 | 3 | 0 |
| 1967 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 |
| 1965 | 3 | 0 |
| 1964 | 2 | 0 |
| 1963 | 5 | 2 |
| 1962 | 1 | 0 |
| 1960 | 1 | 1 |
| 1959 | 3 | 0 |
| 1957 | 1 | 0 |
| 1954 | 1 | 1 |