Adams County, Iowa tornadoes

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28confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: May 21, 2024, 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 Adams County

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The record

At a glance

Total281950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJune7 of 28
StrongestEF4May 21, 2024
Deaths5whole paths, see note
Injuries45whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 4Apr: 6May: 6Jun: 7Jul: 3Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 7 of 28 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 1: 5: 13 PM: 4: 4: 56 PM: 0: 3: 19 PM: 2: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 1:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 22000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 02010: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 02020: 1: 0: 2: 0: 5: 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
8
EF2
3
EF3
3
EF4
3
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

EF4, May 21, 2024

5 deaths, 35 injuries Strongest

EF4, May 21, 2024

40.65 mile path Longest path

49 miles, F4

May 24, 1989, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F4

May 24, 1989
Every tornado

All 28 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 21, 2024EF112.66 mi200 yd00
May 21, 2024EF440.65 mi1,600 yd535
May 21, 2024EF333.86 mi1,300 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF29.71 mi350 yd00
Apr 16, 2024EF02.41 mi50 yd00
Mar 5, 2022EF02.84 mi100 yd00
Mar 5, 2022EFU1.48 mi40 yd00
Mar 28, 2020EF17.47 mi115 yd00
Jun 28, 2017EF01.94 mi30 yd00
Jun 28, 2017EF13.78 mi100 yd00
Aug 2, 2015EF14.97 mi300 yd00
Apr 14, 2012EF216.59 mi800 yd02
May 11, 2011EF00.44 mi30 yd00
Mar 22, 2011EF03.12 mi80 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF15.63 mi150 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF19.49 mi150 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF02.32 mi75 yd00
Apr 8, 2001F11 mi50 yd01
Jul 16, 1999F00.1 min/a00
Apr 8, 1999F449 mi1,000 yd03
Jul 24, 1993F00.2 mi20 yd00
May 24, 1989F449 mi1,760 yd00
Aug 22, 1988F14.2 mi50 yd00
Jun 7, 1984F325 mi100 yd03
Jun 14, 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.