Dubuque County, Iowa tornadoes

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35confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: July 11, 2025, EF1. 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 Dubuque County

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The record

At a glance

Total351950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJune8 of 35
StrongestF4Mar 13, 1990
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries4whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 5Apr: 2May: 6Jun: 8Jul: 6Aug: 4Sep: 3Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 8 of 35 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 2: 2: 33 PM: 5: 3: 46 PM: 6: 4: 09 PM: 3: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 1: 0: 21970: 3: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01990: 2: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 12020: 1: 2: 0: 1: 0: 219501960197019801990200020102020

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
12
EF2
9
EF3
2
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, March 13, 1990

19 mile path Longest path

64.5 miles, F2

September 28, 1972, whole path Widest

2,200 yards, F2

September 28, 1972
Every tornado

All 35 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 11, 2025EF10.86 mi25 yd00
Jul 11, 2025EF03.4 mi50 yd00
Aug 14, 2023EFU1.23 mi20 yd00
Aug 11, 2021EF00.6 mi20 yd00
Jun 20, 2021EF13.38 mi30 yd00
Mar 28, 2020EF13.8 mi50 yd00
Aug 5, 2019EF10.3 mi50 yd00
Mar 6, 2017EF05.7 mi25 yd00
Jul 23, 2016EF00.78 mi25 yd00
Dec 23, 2015EF11.1 mi25 yd00
May 25, 2008EF18.48 mi250 yd00
May 26, 2007EF00.75 mi50 yd00
May 28, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
May 15, 1998F00.3 mi30 yd00
Jun 16, 1996F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 1993F314 mi300 yd00
Mar 27, 1991F21.5 mi100 yd01
Mar 13, 1990F13 mi23 yd00
Mar 13, 1990F419 mi200 yd00
May 8, 1988F00.5 mi20 yd00
May 8, 1988F111 mi43 yd00
Jun 2, 1980F13.6 mi50 yd00
Sep 28, 1972F264.5 mi2,200 yd03
Sep 9, 1970F34.7 mi300 yd00
Sep 9, 1970F21 mi100 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 14, 20262 NW Dubuque Regional ANot 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.