Cherokee County, Iowa tornadoes

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30confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: December 15, 2021, EF1. 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 Cherokee County

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The record

At a glance

Total301950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthAugust6 of 30
StrongestF4Jun 23, 1952
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries11whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 3May: 2Jun: 5Jul: 3Aug: 6Sep: 2Oct: 5Nov: 0Dec: 3JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

August is the peak month, with 6 of 30 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 0: 2: 13 PM: 3: 3: 76 PM: 5: 1: 29 PM: 1: 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 1: 0: 4: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 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: 3 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
15
EF1
7
EF2
4
EF3
1
EF4
2
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, June 23, 1952

24.1 mile path Longest path

67 miles, F3

May 5, 1964, whole path Widest

2,600 yards, EF4

October 4, 2013
Every tornado

All 30 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Dec 15, 2021EF13.84 mi75 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EFU1.81 mi50 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF111.16 mi250 yd00
Aug 18, 2017EF00.81 mi50 yd00
Oct 23, 2015EF00.26 mi50 yd00
Oct 4, 2013EF00.34 mi50 yd00
Oct 4, 2013EF00.4 mi50 yd00
Oct 4, 2013EF00.55 mi50 yd00
Oct 4, 2013EF424.7 mi2,600 yd00
Apr 9, 2011EF15.17 mi300 yd00
Jun 22, 2010EF01.23 mi50 yd00
Aug 17, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 13, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 27, 1997F00.1 mi50 yd00
Aug 7, 1991F28 mi80 yd00
Jul 8, 1987F00.1 mi13 yd00
Aug 4, 1985F10.5 mi10 yd00
Jun 17, 1984F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 7, 1984F210 mi77 yd00
Sep 5, 1983F10.1 mi30 yd00
Aug 18, 1980F10.1 mi20 yd00
Sep 23, 1977F00.5 mi10 yd00
Apr 3, 1968F10.5 mi200 yd00
Jul 28, 1966F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 5, 1964F367 mi300 yd07
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 17, 20263 NE MeridenNot yet rated
May 17, 20263 W CherokeeNot yet rated
May 17, 20267 S MarcusNot 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.