Johnson County, Arkansas tornadoes

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39confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: November 4, 2024, EFU. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Johnson County

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The record

At a glance

Total391950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthNovember9 of 39
StrongestEF3May 24, 2011
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries143whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Johnson County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 1Feb: 1Mar: 7Apr: 7May: 7Jun: 2Jul: 0Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 2Nov: 9Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

November is the peak month, with 9 of 39 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 1: 2: 03 AM: 0: 1: 16 AM: 4: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 0: 23 PM: 1: 2: 86 PM: 3: 5: 19 PM: 4: 1: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 3: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 21980: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 42000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 02020: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
8
EF1
13
EF2
11
EF3
6
Unknown
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

EF3, May 24, 2011

1 deaths, 4 injuries Strongest

EF3, May 24, 2011

29.01 mile path Longest path

40.1 miles, F3

March 14, 1953, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F2

May 18, 1960
Every tornado

All 39 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Nov 4, 2024EFU0.9 mi30 yd00
Mar 30, 2022EF13.46 mi400 yd00
Oct 9, 2018EF11.2 mi100 yd00
Oct 9, 2018EF10.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 13, 2018EF14.96 mi250 yd00
Mar 1, 2017EF10.14 mi200 yd00
May 24, 2011EF329.01 mi1,430 yd14
Apr 27, 2009EF13.1 mi180 yd00
Nov 11, 2004F00.3 mi30 yd00
Nov 1, 2004F00.5 mi30 yd00
Apr 22, 2004F013.1 mi40 yd00
Nov 23, 2001F18.8 mi150 yd00
Nov 23, 2001F231.5 mi500 yd14
Dec 4, 1999F12.8 mi50 yd00
May 4, 1999F00.1 min/a00
Mar 5, 1999F17 mi100 yd00
Mar 5, 1999F27 mi200 yd00
Jun 16, 1997F00.2 mi20 yd00
Sep 15, 1996F00.1 mi20 yd00
Nov 9, 1994F00.1 mi23 yd00
Nov 15, 1988F216 mi150 yd09
Nov 18, 1985F218 mi30 yd00
May 14, 1983F20.5 mi100 yd00
Apr 7, 1980F33.6 mi1,707 yd076
Aug 20, 1979F00.1 mi17 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.