Howard County, Indiana tornadoes

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27confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: March 31, 2023, EF1. 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 Howard County

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The record

At a glance

Total271950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthApril6 of 27
StrongestF4Apr 11, 1965
Deaths26whole paths, see note
Injuries889whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 5Apr: 6May: 1Jun: 2Jul: 4Aug: 6Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 2Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 6 of 27 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 2: 19 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 2: 23 PM: 1: 4: 46 PM: 4: 2: 09 PM: 3: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

60 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 6: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 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
10
EF1
6
EF2
5
EF3
5
EF4
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

F4, April 11, 1965

25 deaths, 835 injuries Strongest

F4, April 11, 1965

48 mile path Longest path

48 miles, F4

April 11, 1965, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F2

July 9, 1951
Every tornado

All 27 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 31, 2023EF16.35 mi25 yd01
Mar 31, 2023EF00.14 mi10 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF00.86 mi10 yd00
Aug 24, 2016EF02.95 mi75 yd00
Aug 24, 2016EF11.5 mi50 yd00
Aug 24, 2016EF00.67 mi75 yd00
Aug 24, 2016EF117.06 mi100 yd00
Aug 24, 2016EF38.63 mi300 yd020
Aug 15, 2016EF00.12 mi50 yd00
Nov 17, 2013EF20.48 mi75 yd05
Nov 17, 2013EF225.44 mi150 yd00
Oct 26, 2010EF00.45 mi50 yd00
Jul 26, 2005F00.1 mi75 yd00
Apr 20, 2004F10.7 mi75 yd01
Apr 20, 2004F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jun 11, 1998F318.5 mi800 yd08
Jul 17, 1996F12.1 mi440 yd00
Apr 14, 1987F14 mi10 yd00
Apr 23, 1978F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 7, 1977F311.6 mi70 yd00
Jun 15, 1976F01.3 mi80 yd01
Apr 3, 1974F219.2 mi350 yd012
Apr 11, 1965F448 mi880 yd25835
Mar 6, 1961F30.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 6, 1961F32 mi300 yd13
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.