Cedar County, Iowa tornadoes

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44confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: March 14, 2025, EF0. 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.

The record

At a glance

Total441950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay15 of 44
StrongestF4Apr 11, 1965
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries70whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

150 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 9Apr: 4May: 15Jun: 5Jul: 6Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 15 of 44 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 2: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 712 PM: 2: 0: 43 PM: 6: 7: 26 PM: 3: 4: 19 PM: 0: 3: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 11:00 AM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 4: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 2: 01990: 1: 4: 0: 0: 0: 4: 1: 2: 2: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 12020: 2: 0: 0: 4: 3: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
16
EF1
16
EF2
9
EF3
1
EF4
1
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

F4, April 11, 1965

1 deaths, 3 injuries Strongest

F4, April 11, 1965

91.5 mile path Longest path

91.5 miles, F4

April 11, 1965, whole path Widest

440 yards, F1

July 20, 2003
Every tornado

All 44 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 14, 2025EF01.88 mi50 yd00
May 24, 2024EF114.98 mi50 yd00
May 24, 2024EFU10.99 mi10 yd00
May 24, 2024EF122.52 mi150 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF219.56 mi200 yd02
Mar 31, 2023EF15.2 mi100 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF216.42 mi250 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF18.3 mi10 yd00
May 23, 2020EF16.86 mi30 yd00
May 23, 2020EF17.05 mi50 yd00
May 24, 2019EF00.04 mi10 yd00
Sep 25, 2018EF00.05 mi20 yd00
Mar 6, 2017EF116.63 mi100 yd00
Aug 18, 2015EF00.05 mi20 yd00
Jun 1, 2007EF11.05 mi75 yd00
Jul 20, 2003F12.4 mi440 yd00
Jun 18, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
May 15, 1998F347 mi400 yd047
May 18, 1997F13.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 30, 1997F03 mi20 yd00
Aug 22, 1996F00.3 mi20 yd00
Jul 27, 1995F27.5 mi100 yd00
Jul 27, 1995F00.1 mi23 yd00
Jul 27, 1995F00.1 mi20 yd00
May 9, 1995F27 mi100 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 2, 20261 E SpringdaleNot 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 12, 2026.