Norman County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Minnesota Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Norman County is about the same as Minnesota average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Norman County is lower than Minnesota average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #52
| Norman County | 0.00 |
| Minnesota | 0.01 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Norman County | 0.0000 |
| Minnesota | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #50
| Norman County | 118.62 |
| Minnesota | 135.90 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 7,089 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Norman County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 61 | Cold: | 52 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 13 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 562 | Hail: | 3,783 | Heat: | 2 | Heavy Snow: | 32 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 14 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 31 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 2,231 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 75 | Winter Weather: | 0 |
| Other: | 232 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Norman County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Norman County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Norman County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 40 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Norman County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 12.7 | 1978-07-05 | 2 | 47°20'N / 96°21'W | 47°27'N / 96°04'W | 15.20 Miles | 400 Yards | 3 | 35 | 25.0M | 0 | Norman |
| 22.5 | 1978-07-05 | 2 | 47°27'N / 96°04'W | 47°30'N / 96°00'W | 3.80 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Mahnomen |
| 23.1 | 1953-05-29 | 2 | 47°09'N / 96°56'W | 47°12'N / 96°52'W | 3.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Cass |
| 27.7 | 1965-06-26 | 2 | 47°30'N / 97°00'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Traill | |
| 27.8 | 1996-06-05 | 2 | 46°58'N / 96°13'W | 46°58'N / 96°12'W | 5.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 50K | Clay |
| Brief Description: Extensive damage to farm. | |||||||||||
| 28.3 | 1973-06-16 | 3 | 47°22'N / 97°04'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Traill | |||
| 30.1 | 2010-06-17 | 3 | 47°38'N / 96°10'W | 47°46'N / 96°05'W | 9.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 1 | 2 | 0K | 0K | Polk |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado began in Polk County and tracked northeastward for nine miles to the Red Lake County line about 5 miles north-northeast of Mentor. After crossing into Red Lake County, it continued for an additional 6 miles. The tornado tracked across Maple Lake and the community of Mentor. Trees were sheared off or uprooted, power poles were snapped, and roofs and garages were destroyed. A convenience store and gas station along U. S. Highway 2 were flattened. Cabins, campers, boats, and docks were damaged along the northeast side of Maple Lake. Peak winds were estimated at 145 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Conditions were ripe by the afternoon of the 17th for a major severe weather outbreak. A surface low had moved into east central North Dakota with an occluded front extending to the southeast. Warm and humid air was in place ahead of the front, with a much drier airmass pushing in behind it. The 500mb low was located over northwest North Dakota with a nice southwest to northeast upper jet pushing into eastern North Dakota. Two lines of convection formed by late afternoon, one from Roseau County down toward Eastern Otter Tail County and the other over east central North Dakota. Nearly all the cells that formed took on a classic hook shape with rotation very evident on radar imagery. Multiple tornado warnings were issued before the event wound down by mid evening. The strongest tornadoes were determined to be EF4 tornadoes, two in west central Minnesota and one in northeast North Dakota. | |||||||||||
| 30.7 | 1975-06-28 | 3 | 46°52'N / 96°35'W | 46°55'N / 96°34'W | 2.30 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clay |
| 30.9 | 1956-08-30 | 3 | 46°54'N / 96°48'W | 46°59'N / 96°47'W | 5.10 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Cass |
| 31.1 | 1977-07-13 | 2 | 47°40'N / 96°54'W | 47°42'N / 96°51'W | 2.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Polk |
| 31.2 | 1953-06-27 | 2 | 47°30'N / 97°05'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Traill | |||
| 31.3 | 1975-06-28 | 4 | 46°52'N / 96°44'W | 46°57'N / 96°41'W | 5.40 Miles | 1320 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clay |
| 31.4 | 1957-06-20 | 5 | 46°53'N / 96°46'W | 46°52'N / 96°14'W | 25.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clay |
| 32.7 | 2007-08-26 | 2 | 47°42'N / 96°55'W | 47°43'N / 96°51'W | 3.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Polk |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado touched down at 9 pm CST about 7 miles east-northeast of Reynolds, North Dakota (in Grand Forks County). It crossed the Red River into western Polk County at about 904 pm CST. The total tornado path length was about 5 miles, and about 3 miles of the total occurred in Tynsid Township in Polk County. The tornado destroyed a steel pole shed and a wooden quonset at one farmstead with significant tree damage at other locations nearby. Peak winds were estimated at 120 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A cold front moved across North Dakota on the 26th, with a hot and humid airmass in place ahead of the front. At 6 pm CST, a surface low was located over southern Manitoba (Canada), just north of Pembina, ND. The cold front stretched to the southwest, back toward Devils Lake (ND) and Bismarck (ND). Ahead of the cold front, temperatures ranged in the low to mid 80s with dew points around 70F. Behind the front, temperatures did not cool significantly, but dew points dropped to the mid 40s. Thunderstorms began to form along and ahead of the cold front by early evening (from northeast ND into south central ND), eventually crossing into northwest Minnesota several hours later. Eight distinct tornadoes occurred over northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota during this event. | |||||||||||
| 32.9 | 2008-07-11 | 2 | 47°18'N / 95°49'W | 47°29'N / 95°43'W | 16.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 100K | Mahnomen |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado tracked to the north-northeast for about 16 miles and lifted about 3 miles south-southwest of Lengby, or near Sugar Bowl Lake. Numerous trees and power poles were snapped along the path. Farm sheds were blown down and hay wagons flipped. The damage path was around 250 yards wide where it crossed county road 122 about 2 miles east of Beaulieu. Peak winds were estimated at 115 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An area of surface low pressure near Bismarck (ND) on the morning of the 11th moved to near Grand Forks (ND) by early afternoon, then moved to near Winnipeg in the evening. As it did so, a warm front lifted north ahead of the low and a cold front trailed behind the low. Thunderstorms formed along both boundaries. | |||||||||||
| 34.6 | 2007-08-26 | 2 | 47°43'N / 96°57'W | 47°43'N / 96°55'W | 2.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Grand Forks |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado wrecked an antique wind charger windmill and downed some trees in Bentru Township (ND). It then crossed the Red River into Polk County, Minnesota, where it dissipated about 4 miles northwest of Eldred at 910 pm CST. The total path length was about 5 miles long, and about 2 miles of the total occurred in Grand Forks County. Peak winds were estimated at 120 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A cold front moved across North Dakota on the 26th, with a hot and humid airmass in place ahead of the front. At 6 pm CST, a surface low was located over southern Manitoba (Canada), just north of Pembina, ND. The cold front stretched to the southwest, back toward Devils Lake (ND) and Bismarck (ND). Ahead of the cold front, temperatures ranged in the low to mid 80s with dew points around 70F. Behind the front, temperatures did not cool significantly, but dew points dropped to the mid 40s. Thunderstorms began to form along and ahead of the cold front by early evening (from northeast ND into south central ND), eventually crossing into northwest Minnesota several hours later. Eight distinct tornadoes occurred over northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota during this event. | |||||||||||
| 35.4 | 1978-07-05 | 2 | 47°30'N / 96°00'W | 47°38'N / 95°35'W | 21.30 Miles | 400 Yards | 1 | 9 | 0K | 0 | Polk |
| 37.7 | 2010-06-17 | 3 | 47°46'N / 96°05'W | 47°51'N / 96°04'W | 6.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Red Lake |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado began in Polk County, about 4 miles south-southwest of Mentor at 615 PM CDT. The tornado tracked into Red Lake County and continued an additional 6 miles to roughly 4 miles east-northeast of Terrebonne. The tornado sheared trees and blew down farm buildings near the Polk County line and lofted debris from Mentor well past the community of Plummer. The total track length was about 15 miles and peak winds were estimated at 145 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Conditions were ripe by the afternoon of the 17th for a major severe weather outbreak. A surface low had moved into east central North Dakota with an occluded front extending to the southeast. Warm and humid air was in place ahead of the front, with a much drier airmass pushing in behind it. The 500mb low was located over northwest North Dakota with a nice southwest to northeast upper jet pushing into eastern North Dakota. Two lines of convection formed by late afternoon, one from Roseau County down toward Eastern Otter Tail County and the other over east central North Dakota. Nearly all the cells that formed took on a classic hook shape with rotation very evident on radar imagery. Multiple tornado warnings were issued before the event wound down by mid evening. The strongest tornadoes were determined to be EF4 tornadoes, two in west central Minnesota and one in northeast North Dakota. | |||||||||||
| 37.7 | 1959-06-09 | 2 | 46°43'N / 96°33'W | 46°51'N / 96°19'W | 14.10 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clay |
| 37.8 | 2005-05-21 | 2 | 47°52'N / 96°37'W | 47°52'N / 96°37'W | 0.30 Mile | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 10K | 0 | Polk |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down north of Crookston, and created a west-to-east damage path. The tornado hit a well-constructed pole barn and then travelled into an open field. Several large trees were snapped in half. The estimated peak wind speed was 140 mph. | |||||||||||
| 38.0 | 1960-05-31 | 2 | 46°52'N / 96°54'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Cass | |||
| 38.3 | 1952-07-16 | 2 | 46°43'N / 96°32'W | 46°50'N / 96°25'W | 9.40 Miles | 333 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Aitkin |
| 38.5 | 2005-06-23 | 2 | 47°51'N / 96°44'W | 47°52'N / 96°43'W | 1.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Polk |
| Brief Description: Two steel grains bins were ripped off their foundations with debris thrown for about a half-mile to the northeast. Peak winds were estimated at 120 mph. | |||||||||||
| 39.3 | 1978-06-26 | 2 | 47°53'N / 96°16'W | 0.10 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Red Lake | |
| 39.8 | 2005-06-23 | 2 | 47°50'N / 96°55'W | 47°49'N / 96°53'W | 2.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Polk |
| Brief Description: Well-built garage walls and a roof were torn off a home. Steel grain bins were ripped off their foundations and thrown through the air. A 36x100 foot hip-roofed barn was torn from its foundation and demolished. Peak winds were estimated at 150 mph. | |||||||||||
| 41.0 | 1965-05-05 | 2 | 46°53'N / 97°19'W | 47°00'N / 96°56'W | 19.60 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cass |
| 41.2 | 1957-06-20 | 5 | 46°54'N / 97°21'W | 46°53'N / 96°46'W | 27.40 Miles | 500 Yards | 10 | 103 | 25.0M | 0 | Cass |
| 41.6 | 1974-07-20 | 2 | 47°30'N / 97°19'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Traill | |||
| 42.6 | 1980-07-11 | 2 | 47°56'N / 96°23'W | 47°57'N / 96°19'W | 2.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Red Lake |
| 43.4 | 1960-07-10 | 2 | 47°00'N / 97°12'W | 46°54'N / 97°12'W | 6.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Cass |
| 43.6 | 2010-06-17 | 4 | 47°32'N / 97°18'W | 47°40'N / 97°19'W | 9.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0K | Traill |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado tracked northward for nearly 9 miles to about 12 miles north of Mayville by 405 PM CDT and crossed into Grand Forks County. It then continued for another 8 miles to around 10 miles west of Thompson by 418 PM CDT, for a total track length of nearly 17 miles. Trees in shelterbelts and farmsteads were snapped, uprooted, or sheared off. One well constructed house near Holmes was completely swept from its foundation and destroyed. Peak winds were estimated at 185 mph. A farm shop about five and one-half miles north of Mayville was hit by the tornado, destroying the shop. A man inside survived with cuts on his hand. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Conditions were ripe by the afternoon of the 17th for a major severe weather outbreak. A surface low had moved into east central North Dakota with an occluded front extending to the southeast. Warm and humid air was in place ahead of the front, with a much drier airmass pushing in behind it. The 500mb low was located over northwest North Dakota with a nice southwest to northeast upper jet pushing into eastern North Dakota. Two lines of convection formed by late afternoon, one from Roseau County down toward Eastern Otter Tail County and the other over east central North Dakota. Nearly all the cells that formed took on a classic hook shape with rotation very evident on radar imagery. Multiple tornado warnings were issued before the event wound down by mid evening. The strongest tornadoes were determined to be EF4 tornadoes, two in west central Minnesota and one in northeast North Dakota. | |||||||||||
| 44.1 | 2010-08-10 | 2 | 47°41'N / 97°15'W | 47°41'N / 97°15'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Grand Forks |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado struck a farmstead in southern Grand Forks County, damaging a large well constructed equipment shed. The tornado traveled over a shelterbelt along the west edge of the property causing considerable damage. Several pieces of farm equipment were moved and flipped. An empty grain bin was removed from its foundation and lofted 300 yards, with much of the bin landing in the northwest corner of the shelterbelt. EPISODE NARRATIVE: As an upper level disturbance lifted into eastern North Dakota, a semi-circle of thunderstorms formed around its northern and eastern periphery. As a segment of these storms moved north of Mayville, they produced a brief tornado near Holmes. | |||||||||||
| 44.4 | 1980-07-11 | 2 | 47°57'N / 96°19'W | 47°58'N / 96°13'W | 3.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Pennington |
| 45.6 | 1959-06-10 | 2 | 46°54'N / 97°12'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Cass | |||
| 46.6 | 1955-06-30 | 2 | 47°54'N / 97°00'W | 0 | 7 | 25K | 0 | Polk | |||
| 46.7 | 2005-09-05 | 2 | 46°42'N / 96°51'W | 46°42'N / 96°48'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Cass |
| Brief Description: After strong winds and heavy rain hit a farmstead, a tornado followed closely behind. The tornado tracked intermittently along a 4 mile path. A 30 foot concrete silo was lifted and blown onto a machine shed. Concrete pieces spread in a 60 degree arc 40 to 50 feet from the foundation. One-half of the machine shed was demolished by silo debris. Numerous trees were also snapped off. A window was blown in and siding was ripped off the house. The peak wind speeds were estimated at 120 mph. | |||||||||||
| 47.5 | 1983-08-25 | 2 | 48°00'N / 96°14'W | 1.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Pennington | |
| 47.9 | 2010-06-17 | 4 | 47°40'N / 97°19'W | 47°46'N / 97°19'W | 8.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Grand Forks |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado began in Traill County about 3 miles north-northeast of Mayville at 349 PM CDT. The tornado crossed into Grand Forks County and tracked for an additional 8 miles to about 10 miles west of Thompson. The total track length was roughly 17 miles. One well constructed house near Holmes was completely swept from its foundation and destroyed along with several other farm buildings. Peak winds were estimated at 185 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Conditions were ripe by the afternoon of the 17th for a major severe weather outbreak. A surface low had moved into east central North Dakota with an occluded front extending to the southeast. Warm and humid air was in place ahead of the front, with a much drier airmass pushing in behind it. The 500mb low was located over northwest North Dakota with a nice southwest to northeast upper jet pushing into eastern North Dakota. Two lines of convection formed by late afternoon, one from Roseau County down toward Eastern Otter Tail County and the other over east central North Dakota. Nearly all the cells that formed took on a classic hook shape with rotation very evident on radar imagery. Multiple tornado warnings were issued before the event wound down by mid evening. The strongest tornadoes were determined to be EF4 tornadoes, two in west central Minnesota and one in northeast North Dakota. | |||||||||||
| 48.0 | 1977-07-13 | 2 | 48°01'N / 96°37'W | 2.00 Miles | 120 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Polk | |
| 48.9 | 1973-06-15 | 3 | 46°52'N / 97°15'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cass | |||
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.