Inver Grove Heights
Population 36,873 (2025)
108 tornadoes have tracked within 25 miles of Inver Grove Heights since 1950, 10 of them rated EF3 or F3 or stronger; the most recent was on August 29, 2024.
Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed
- Tornado damage paths within 25 miles since 1950108
- Wildfire burn scars within 25 miles since 19842
At a glance
Tornado paths within 25 miles, tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles and wildfire perimeters within 25 miles of the city centre. Storm events, flood insurance claims and disaster declarations are for Dakota County. Earthquakes within 50 miles, volcanoes within 100 miles and smoke days are measured from the city centre; river and tide gauges, tsunami and landslide records and the drought index are for Dakota County.
Strongest tornado
F4
May 6, 1965, 17.3 mile path
Snowiest season
98.6in
Winter of 1983-84
Tornadoes
About one tornado a year since 1950, 10 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
May 6, 1965
F4, 17.3 mile path
667 yards wide; 6 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Thursday, August 29, 2024
EF0, 6.7 mile path
2 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Aug 29, 2024 | EF0 | 6.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 29, 2024 | EF0 | 7.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 27, 2022 | EF0 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 27, 2022 | EF0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 27, 2022 | EF0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 27, 2022 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 27, 2022 | EF0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| May 9, 2022 | EF0 | 5.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2021 | EF0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2021 | EF0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2021 | EF0 | 2.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 19, 2021 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2020 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2020 | EF1 | 9.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2020 | EF0 | 2.9 | 0 | 0 |
| May 26, 2020 | EF0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2019 | EF0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 20, 2018 | EF0 | 3.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 20, 2018 | EF0 | 4.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 20, 2018 | EF0 | 3.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 20, 2018 | EF1 | 1.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 16, 2017 | EF0 | 1.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2015 | EF0 | 1.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2014 | EF0 | 2.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2012 | EF0 | 4.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2012 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2012 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2012 | EF0 | 2.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2011 | EF0 | 6.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 22, 2011 | EF1 | 13.6 | 48 | 1 |
| Aug 13, 2010 | EF1 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2010 | EF2 | 15.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2010 | EF1 | 1.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2010 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2010 | EF0 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2010 | EF0 | 1.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 19, 2009 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 19, 2009 | EF1 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 19, 2009 | EF1 | 1.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 19, 2009 | EF0 | 4.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2009 | EF1 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2009 | EF1 | 9.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2008 | EF0 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 25, 2008 | EF3 | 6.0 | 17 | 1 |
| Sep 20, 2007 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 21, 2005 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2005 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 9, 2001 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2001 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 9, 2001 | F2 | 12.0 | 1 | 0 |
| May 9, 2001 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 26, 2000 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2000 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1999 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1999 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1999 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1998 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1998 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 15, 1998 | F1 | 13.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1998 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1998 | F2 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1996 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1995 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1995 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1994 | F2 | 5.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1993 | F1 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 30, 1991 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 30, 1991 | F0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1990 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1990 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1987 | F1 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1987 | F3 | 30.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1987 | F3 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 13, 1987 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| May 13, 1987 | F1 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1986 | F2 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1984 | F1 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | F3 | 5.5 | 52 | 1 |
| Jul 15, 1982 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1981 | F3 | 16.2 | 83 | 1 |
| Apr 29, 1981 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1979 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 22, 1979 | F2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 21, 1977 | F2 | 19.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1974 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 9, 1973 | F1 | 0.2 | 11 | 1 |
| Jul 14, 1971 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1969 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1969 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1969 | F1 | 0.5 | 3 | 0 |
| May 15, 1968 | F2 | 15.4 | 3 | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1967 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1966 | F2 | 6.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1966 | F1 | 6.1 | 3 | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1965 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 6, 1965 | F4 | 17.3 | 158 | 6 |
| May 6, 1965 | F4 | 6.8 | 175 | 3 |
| May 6, 1965 | F4 | 6.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1964 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1963 | F1 | 6.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1958 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1958 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 24, 1958 | F3 | 59.4 | 12 | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1954 | F2 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 |
| May 10, 1953 | F2 | 105.7 | 27 | 4 |
| Jun 24, 1952 | F2 | 70.9 | 15 | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1952 | F2 | 104.8 | 10 | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1951 | F3 | 11.6 | 40 | 5 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond this area.
- Weak tornadoes were under-recorded before Doppler radar coverage became national in the early 1990s, so earlier decades read low. Ratings use the Fujita scale before February 2007 and the Enhanced Fujita scale after.
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
No tropical storm or hurricane has tracked within 100 miles since records began in 1851.
Wildfire and smoke
2 large fires burned within 25 miles since 1984.
Largest
April 14, 2004
Eagan Fire, 926 acres
6.1 miles from the city centre.
Most recent
April 14, 2004
Eagan Fire
926 acres in total.
Every large fire
| Eagan | 2004 | 6.1 | 926 |
| Unnamed | 1990 | 9.6 | 512 |
- Large fires mapped by the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program since 1984: 1,000 acres or more in the West, 500 or more in the East. Prescribed burns are excluded. Acres here are the part of each perimeter inside this place.
Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (USGS and U.S. Forest Service), 1984 to 2026.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 81 days
Heavy smoke on 27 days in 2021, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
30.4 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
22 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 44 so far in 2026.
- A smoke day is a date on which a smoke plume traced by NOAA Hazard Mapping System analysts from satellite imagery covered this place's point (the county's population centre or the city centre). Counts here are of medium or heavy smoke. Since 2018 analysts have often drawn light smoke as one area over most of the continent, so light-smoke counts are not comparable from year to year. The plumes show smoke anywhere in the air above, not air quality at the ground, and smoke hidden by cloud is missed.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, 2011 to 2026, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Floods and flood insurance
181 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, with $3.9 million paid.
Flood insurance figures are for Dakota County, the county that contains Inver Grove Heights.
Most claims in one year
2001: 21 claims
$609,000 paid.
2nd most
1997: 20 claims
$309,000 paid.
3rd most
2019: 19 claims
$673,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 55118 | 47 | $2.8 million |
| 55033 | 36 | $224,000 |
| 55337 | 15 | $191,000 |
| 55024 | 14 | $52,000 |
| 55044 | 12 | $45,000 |
| 55122 | 8 | $13,000 |
| 55076 | 8 | $40,000 |
| 55123 | 7 | $36,000 |
| 55075 | 6 | $4,272 |
| 55068 | 5 | $26,000 |
| 55057 | 5 | $134,000 |
| 55124 | 5 | $15,000 |
| 55306 | 5 | $329,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood21
- Heavy Rain18
- Flood10
1 death recorded in flood events since 1996.
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026. NOAA Storm Events through 2026.
River crests
River gauges in Dakota County, the county that contains Inver Grove Heights.
Most severe crest
April 15, 1965
Minnesota River at Savage, 719.40 ft
17.40 feet above the 702.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
June 29, 2024
Mississippi River Below Lock and Dam 2 - Hastings, 19.35 ft
Major flooding.
River gauges
| Minnesota River at Savage | 702.0 | 719.40 ft | 10 |
| Mississippi River Below Lock and Dam 2 - Hastings | 15.0 | 25.90 ft | 12 |
- Crests are the highest and the recent crests the National Weather Service lists for each river gauge in the county that has a flood stage, not every flood. Flood categories use each gauge's current flood stages; crests from before levees, dams or channel changes may not be comparable. Crests measured on an old datum are left out of the rankings.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge records, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 129 of 1,581 months since 1895 (8%); the longest spell lasted 21 months.
The drought index is for Dakota County, the county that contains Inver Grove Heights.
129
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
63
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
Lowest reading
August 1934
−7.48, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
21 months
July 1936 to March 1938.
Latest month
September 2026
−2.52, moderate drought
Last severe month: November 2023.
- The Palmer Drought Severity Index is computed by NOAA each month from the county's average temperature and precipitation, relative to the county's own climate. Zero is normal; -3 or lower is severe drought and -4 or lower extreme drought. It describes the long-term balance of moisture, not water supply or crop losses.
NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, 1895 to September 2026, issued October 6, 2026.
Earthquakes and landslides
No earthquake of magnitude 2.5 or more is recorded within 50 miles of the city centre in the USGS catalogue, which begins in 1900.
Mapped landslides
Landslides mapped in Dakota County.
60
Landslides mapped, probable or better
11
With a recorded date
2
Source inventories
Mapped by USGS MN (56), NASA (4).
Deadly landslides
| May 22, 2013 | Rock fall | 2 |
- Landslides mapped in the USGS compilation of landslide inventories across the United States (version 3.0, 2025), rated probable or better. The compilation joins inventories made by federal and state agencies for different purposes and areas, so the number mapped in a county reflects how closely it has been surveyed as much as how often its slopes fail. An area with few records may simply not have been mapped. Deaths are as recorded in the inventories; a slide listed in two inventories is counted once.
USGS Landslide Inventories across the United States, version 3.0, retrieved October 27, 2026.
Severe weather and other events
845 events in the National Weather Service record for Dakota County, 757 of them since 1996.
205
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
21
Hail, 2 inches or larger
215
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
125
Winter weather events since 1996
15
Heat events since 1996
20
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
June 20, 2007
3.00 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
May 23, 1964
106 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 16 | 0 |
| Dense fog and smoke | 2 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- May 30, 1998Thunderstorm Wind$140 million
National Weather Service narrative
Brick wall blown in at retail center. 2000 trees blown down. Indoor mall sustained $1 million in damage. 3 homes destroyed. Numerous trees down. Damage estimate for entire county. Estimated windspeed.
- May 15, 1998Hail$100 million
National Weather Service narrative
Widespread damage to houses and vehicles by wind driven hail. Damage estimate for entire county.
- May 30, 1998Thunderstorm Wind$24.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
10 homes with major structural damage. 1500 trees blown over. Estimated windspeed.
- Jul 7, 2000Flash Flood$20.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Widespread flooding in Eagan and neighboring portions of Rosemount, Apple Valley, and Burnsville. Between 6 and 12 inches of rain fell during this 3 hour event. One man died of drowning after being swept into a culvert. Over 200 homes in Eagan incurred water damage. Numerous homes in Rosemount and Burnsville reported basement flooding. Minor to moderate damage to forty homes in Burnsville. Numerous roads in Eagan, Burnsville and Rosemount flooded; numerous vehicles stalled. Portions of Pilot Knob Rd. destroyed along with retaining wall.
- Jun 20, 2007Hail$12.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Hail was reported to be the size of hockey pucks. Many houses and vehicles were damaged in and around Hastings. Damage amount reported by the Hastings Star-Gazette.
- May 30, 1998Thunderstorm Wind$10.2 million
National Weather Service narrative
2000 trees blown over. 1500 homes damaged. Estimated windspeed.
- Aug 24, 2006Hail$10.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Hail covered the ground. Observed at intersection of County Road 42 and Cedar. Vehicles, homes and businesses damaged. Damage total includes all storm reports from August 24 in Dakota County.
- May 9, 2001Tornado$7.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
The Northfield tornado (which originated in Rice County) crossed Highway 19 into extreme southeastern Dakota County, then went into Goodhue County. Five homes sustained major damage, including one with its roof completely removed. 12 other homes received minor damage. Several motorists barely made it into nearby homes before the tornado struck.
- May 19, 1996Thunderstorm Wind$4.5 million
National Weather Service narrative
Roofs torn off houses. Garages leveled. Structural damage to 50 homes...30 in Lakeville. Structural damage in neighboring Burnsville, Apple Valley and Rosemount. Estimated wind speed.Damage estimate for Lakeville and Eagan only.
- Jun 19, 2012Thunderstorm Wind$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Over 100 homes and cars were damaged due to falling debris from winds up to 70 mph around Lakeville. In addition, the Lakeville airport had several planes flipped over.
- Storm Events records before 1996 cover only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail. Damage figures are as reported by the National Weather Service at the time, not adjusted for inflation.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1950 to 2026, issued October 26, 2026.
Weather records
From Minneapolis-st Paul International Airport, 9.2 miles from the city centre, with records from 1938.
- All-time high
- 105°FJul 31, 1988
- All-time low
- −34°FJan 19, 1970
- Warmest night
- 82°FJun 22, 2025
- Coldest day
- −17°F2 times, most recently Feb 2, 1996
- Wettest day
- 9.15 inJul 23, 1987
- Snowiest day
- 18.5 inNov 1, 1991
- Hottest year
- 2024mean 50.9°F
- Coldest year
- 1972mean 41.3°F
- Wettest year
- 201943.17 in
- Driest year
- 195816.20 in
- Snowiest season
- 98.6 in1983-84
Median first snow
November 7
Earliest: September 24, 1985
Median last snow
April 14
Latest: May 19, 1971
0 of 84 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Minneapolis-st Paul International Airport (USW00014922), 835 ft elevation, 9.2 miles from the city centre. Daily records from 1938 to October 27, 2026; 100.0% of days in the last 30 years are complete. Records at a single station can differ from a city’s official threaded record, which may combine several stations.
NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily.
Federal disaster declarations
16 since 1953. The most recent: Covid-19 Pandemic, April 7, 2020.
Declarations for Dakota County.
| Apr 7, 2020 | Biological | DR-4531-MN |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3453-MN |
| Jul 6, 2012 | Severe Storm | DR-4069-MN |
| Mar 19, 2010 | Flood | EM-3310-MN |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3242-MN |
| May 16, 2001 | Flood | DR-1370-MN |
| Jun 27, 2000 | Severe Storm | DR-1333-MN |
| Jun 23, 1998 | Tornado | DR-1225-MN |
| Apr 8, 1997 | Flood | DR-1175-MN |
| Jun 1, 1996 | Flood | DR-1116-MN |
| Jun 11, 1993 | Severe Storm | DR-993-MN |
| Aug 6, 1987 | Severe Storm | DR-797-MN |
| Jul 8, 1978 | Severe Storm | DR-560-MN |
| Jun 17, 1976 | Drought | EM-3013-MN |
| Apr 18, 1969 | Flood | DR-255-MN |
| Apr 11, 1965 | Flood | DR-188-MN |
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved October 30, 2026. Statewide declarations are not listed.
Sources and vintage
Every number on this page comes from these public records.
- Tornadoes NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, through 2025.
- Tropical cyclones NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 (Atlantic; Northeast and Central Pacific), through 2025.
- Wildfire USGS/USFS Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity, through 2026.
- Storm events NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, through 2026.
- Flood insurance OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026.
- Declarations OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Weather records NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily, station USW00014922.
- River crests NOAA National Weather Service, National Water Prediction Service river gauges, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Drought NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, through September 2026.
- Smoke NOAA NESDIS Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Landslides USGS Landslide Inventories across the United States, version 3.0 (2025).
- Earthquakes USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), retrieved October 30, 2026.
Joins, thresholds and known limits are set out in the methodology. Found an error? Report it. Page built October 30, 2026.