Dickinson County, Iowa tornadoes

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29confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1960). Most recent: August 29, 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 Dickinson County

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The record

At a glance

Total291950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJune10 of 29
StrongestF3May 31, 1971
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries18whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 7Jun: 10Jul: 4Aug: 4Sep: 2Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 10 of 29 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 2: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 0: 2: 23 PM: 0: 8: 36 PM: 4: 4: 39 PM: 0: 0: 012 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 01970: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 2: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 12020: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 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
10
EF1
9
EF2
6
EF3
2
Unknown
2

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

F3, May 31, 1971

46.5 mile path Longest path

46.5 miles, F3

May 31, 1971, whole path Widest

1,533 yards, F2

June 14, 1981
Every tornado

All 29 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 29, 2024EFU0.84 mi25 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF13.96 mi50 yd00
Jun 17, 2019EFU0.75 mi10 yd00
Sep 20, 2018EF15.07 mi35 yd00
Jun 14, 2016EF00.36 mi25 yd00
May 3, 2015EF00.25 mi50 yd00
Aug 13, 2008EF00.33 mi50 yd00
Sep 5, 2004F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 12, 2001F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jun 12, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 19, 1995F04 mi10 yd00
Jun 12, 1994F00.5 mi23 yd00
Apr 26, 1991F218 mi60 yd00
Aug 18, 1990F28.5 mi63 yd00
Jul 16, 1984F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 13, 1983F11 mi30 yd01
Jun 14, 1981F221.6 mi1,533 yd00
Jun 14, 1981F221.9 mi1,533 yd00
May 22, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd00
May 22, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd00
May 22, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd00
May 31, 1971F38 mi200 yd00
May 31, 1971F346.5 mi100 yd00
Jun 13, 1968F24.9 mi200 yd017
Jun 27, 1967F11 mi250 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 17, 20262 NW TerrilNot 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.