Calhoun County, Iowa tornadoes

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41confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: April 16, 2024, EFU. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Calhoun County

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The record

At a glance

Total411950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay15 of 41
StrongestF4Jun 28, 1979
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries26whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

150 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 4May: 15Jun: 10Jul: 4Aug: 4Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 3JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 15 of 41 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 0: 2: 33 PM: 4: 3: 86 PM: 4: 6: 39 PM: 2: 2: 012 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

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 11980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 11990: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 1: 2: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 5: 0: 2: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
17
EF1
8
EF2
6
EF3
2
EF4
4
Unknown
4

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, June 28, 1979

3 deaths, 26 injuries Strongest

F4, June 28, 1979

14.9 mile path Longest path

36 miles, F4

May 27, 1995, whole path Widest

700 yards, EF1

May 10, 2015
Every tornado

All 41 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 16, 2024EFU0.61 mi30 yd00
Apr 16, 2024EF15.22 mi75 yd00
May 13, 2023EF01.35 mi50 yd00
May 13, 2023EFU0.62 mi30 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF217.97 mi80 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF119.01 mi100 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EFU1.33 mi40 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EF310.81 mi505 yd00
May 15, 2021EFU0.33 mi30 yd00
May 10, 2015EF01.03 mi400 yd00
May 10, 2015EF123.34 mi700 yd00
Aug 31, 2014EF01.41 mi100 yd00
May 29, 2008EF02.35 mi50 yd00
May 29, 2008EF12.76 mi100 yd00
Sep 30, 2007EF04.2 mi30 yd00
Jul 3, 2007EF00.1 mi30 yd00
Aug 10, 2006F00.2 mi30 yd00
May 18, 2005F124.5 mi100 yd00
Jul 5, 2004F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 11, 2004F00.5 mi30 yd00
Jun 1, 1999F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 23, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
May 30, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
May 28, 1998F00.3 mi30 yd00
May 27, 1995F436 mi400 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 17, 2026PomeroyNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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.