Cerro Gordo County, Iowa tornadoes

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40confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: July 28, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 3 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 Cerro Gordo County

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The record

At a glance

Total401950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJune11 of 40
StrongestF4May 10, 1953
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries6whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

110 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 4Apr: 3May: 4Jun: 11Jul: 6Aug: 7Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 3JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 11 of 40 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 2: 4: 33 PM: 1: 8: 86 PM: 6: 1: 19 PM: 2: 0: 112 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: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 11980: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 2: 22000: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 4: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 0: 6: 1: 0: 0: 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: 3 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
18
EF1
14
EF2
5
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

Strongest

F4, May 10, 1953

26.6 mile path Longest path

26.6 miles, F4

May 10, 1953, whole path Widest

250 yards, F3

April 30, 1967
Every tornado

All 40 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 28, 2025EF01.64 mi15 yd00
Apr 12, 2022EF14.49 mi100 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF03.54 mi60 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF02.86 mi40 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF216.69 mi100 yd00
Aug 27, 2021EFU2.04 mi110 yd00
Aug 27, 2021EF02.14 mi250 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EF05.1 mi225 yd00
Jun 9, 2018EF01.18 mi30 yd00
Jun 16, 2014EF01.1 mi40 yd00
Jun 16, 2014EF13.03 mi110 yd00
Jun 7, 2008EF01.01 mi40 yd00
Jul 3, 2005F00.1 mi25 yd00
Mar 30, 2005F00.2 mi30 yd00
Mar 30, 2005F00.5 mi40 yd00
Mar 30, 2005F01.1 mi50 yd00
Apr 17, 2004F00.2 mi25 yd00
Jul 4, 2003F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 21, 2002F112 mi40 yd00
Aug 9, 1999F00.1 min/a00
Jun 6, 1999F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 27, 1998F212.5 mi50 yd00
Jun 27, 1998F27.5 mi50 yd00
Jun 6, 1995F13.5 mi40 yd00
Jul 6, 1994F111.5 mi30 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jul 10, 20262 E SwaledaleNot yet rated
May 17, 20263 S Mason CityNot yet rated
May 17, 20263 S Mason CityNot 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.