Kossuth County, Iowa tornadoes

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42confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: June 18, 2020, 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 Kossuth County

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The record

At a glance

Total421950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthJune19 of 42
StrongestF4Aug 29, 1964
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries42whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

190 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 2May: 4Jun: 19Jul: 11Aug: 2Sep: 4Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 19 of 42 tornadoes.

By time of day

120 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 112 PM: 1: 1: 23 PM: 3: 7: 126 PM: 5: 3: 39 PM: 0: 3: 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: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 3: 41980: 4: 0: 1: 0: 4: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 02010: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 02020: 1: 0: 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: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
14
EF1
16
EF2
7
EF3
3
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

Deadliest

F3, June 28, 1979

2 deaths, 34 injuries Strongest

F4, August 29, 1964

15.8 mile path Longest path

49.2 miles, F2

June 7, 1953, whole path Widest

833 yards, F2

June 7, 1953
Every tornado

All 42 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 18, 2020EFU0.72 mi30 yd00
Sep 4, 2018EF11.23 mi50 yd00
Jul 30, 2016EF00.47 mi30 yd00
Jul 27, 2016EF00.36 mi15 yd00
Jun 20, 2011EF11.18 mi75 yd00
Apr 9, 2011EF10.79 mi100 yd00
Jun 17, 2010EF00.67 mi20 yd00
Jun 17, 2010EF00.69 mi20 yd00
Jul 19, 2008EF00.59 mi30 yd00
Jul 9, 2008EF00.47 mi25 yd00
Apr 24, 2008EF00.1 mi30 yd00
Jul 25, 2005F01 mi40 yd00
Aug 3, 1998F00.2 mi30 yd00
May 15, 1998F231.3 mi180 yd00
Jun 18, 1994F00.5 mi60 yd00
Jun 29, 1993F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jul 11, 1987F15 mi20 yd00
Jun 16, 1984F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 7, 1984F221 mi150 yd01
Jun 7, 1984F222 mi150 yd00
Jun 7, 1984F39 mi150 yd05
May 17, 1982F14 mi30 yd00
Sep 20, 1980F224.5 mi80 yd00
Sep 3, 1980F00.3 mi30 yd00
Sep 3, 1980F01 mi30 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 17, 20262 S WesleyNot 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.