Johnson County, Iowa tornadoes

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45confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1962). Most recent: May 24, 2024, 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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Johnson County

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The record

At a glance

Total451950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthApril14 of 45
StrongestEF4Mar 31, 2023
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries92whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

140 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 7Apr: 14May: 14Jun: 3Jul: 2Aug: 2Sep: 2Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 14 of 45 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 36 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 2: 1: 23 PM: 7: 8: 36 PM: 2: 8: 39 PM: 0: 1: 212 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: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 1: 2: 2: 0: 2: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 3: 01990: 1: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 6: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 22020: 1: 0: 0: 5: 4: 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
12
EF1
20
EF2
11
EF3
1
EF4
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

EF1, April 27, 2014

2 deaths, 0 injuries Strongest

EF4, March 31, 2023

19.9 mile path Longest path

59 miles, F2

May 8, 1988, whole path Widest

1,600 yards, EF1

April 27, 2014
Every tornado

All 45 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 24, 2024EF00.12 mi50 yd00
May 24, 2024EF115.04 mi75 yd00
May 24, 2024EF122.52 mi150 yd00
May 24, 2024EF118.32 mi100 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF28.97 mi75 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF214.69 mi100 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF216.93 mi75 yd02
Mar 31, 2023EF06.1 mi50 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF419.9 mi700 yd03
May 23, 2020EF17.05 mi50 yd00
May 29, 2019EF00.3 mi20 yd00
May 24, 2019EF110.76 mi75 yd00
Jul 21, 2017EF00.12 mi10 yd00
Apr 27, 2014EF145.68 mi1,600 yd20
Apr 13, 2014EF01.3 mi25 yd00
May 25, 2008EF00.11 mi100 yd00
Apr 13, 2006F10.5 mi25 yd00
Apr 13, 2006F14.8 mi176 yd00
Apr 13, 2006F19.4 mi440 yd11
Apr 13, 2006F15.1 mi700 yd00
Apr 13, 2006F24.5 mi587 yd030
Apr 13, 2006F13.6 mi350 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F02 mi50 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 2, 20263 SW DowneyNot 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.