Adair County, Iowa tornadoes

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34confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: May 21, 2024, EF2. 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 Adair County

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The record

At a glance

Total341950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthMay15 of 34
StrongestF5Jun 27, 1953
Deaths7whole paths, see note
Injuries44whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

150 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 3Apr: 4May: 15Jun: 6Jul: 1Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 3Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 15 of 34 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 3: 0: 112 PM: 1: 4: 23 PM: 4: 6: 36 PM: 4: 1: 09 PM: 1: 3: 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 31960: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 3: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 3: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 2: 3: 12020: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 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
13
EF1
10
EF2
5
EF3
1
EF4
4
EF5
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

EF4, May 21, 2024

5 deaths, 35 injuries Strongest

F5, June 27, 1953

0.1 mile path Longest path

57 miles, F4

May 27, 1995, whole path Widest

1,600 yards, EF4

May 21, 2024
Every tornado

All 34 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 21, 2024EF214.63 mi200 yd00
May 21, 2024EF440.65 mi1,600 yd535
Mar 28, 2020EF17.47 mi115 yd00
May 22, 2019EF24.75 mi150 yd11
Oct 9, 2018EF12.71 mi80 yd00
Oct 9, 2018EF01.57 mi30 yd00
Oct 9, 2018EF03.05 mi40 yd00
Jun 28, 2017EF17.59 mi100 yd00
Jun 28, 2017EF014.93 mi100 yd00
Aug 2, 2015EF14.97 mi300 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF17.12 mi200 yd00
Mar 22, 2011EF00.97 mi30 yd00
May 22, 2004F00.2 mi30 yd00
May 22, 2004F17.1 mi100 yd00
May 18, 2000F00.1 mi20 yd00
May 18, 2000F00.1 mi20 yd00
May 18, 2000F00.2 mi20 yd00
Apr 8, 1999F449 mi1,000 yd03
May 27, 1995F457 mi500 yd02
Apr 14, 1994F314 mi130 yd00
Jun 29, 1993F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 15, 1988F10.8 mi33 yd00
Mar 18, 1986F10.2 mi20 yd00
Jun 11, 1984F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 23, 1981F00.1 mi10 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.