Lee County, Iowa tornadoes

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39 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: August 10, 2025, EFU. 2026 so far: 4 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total391950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay11 of 39
StrongestF3Jan 24, 1967
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries12whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

110 Jan: 2Feb: 0Mar: 4Apr: 9May: 11Jun: 8Jul: 1Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 11 of 39 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 1: 112 PM: 1: 4: 23 PM: 7: 7: 36 PM: 7: 3: 09 PM: 0: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 1: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 2: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 11980: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 02000: 0: 0: 1: 1: 4: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 1: 0: 12020: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 319501960197019801990200020102020

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: 4 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
19
EF1
9
EF2
8
EF3
1
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.

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F3, January 24, 1967

1 deaths, 6 injuries Strongest

F3, January 24, 1967

4.3 mile path Longest path

85.2 miles, F2

April 30, 1954, whole path Widest

600 yards, EF2

April 16, 2024

All 39 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 10, 2025EFU0.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 10, 2025EFU0.03 mi10 yd00
Jun 3, 2025EF00.46 mi100 yd00
Apr 16, 2024EF241.66 mi600 yd00
Mar 23, 2021EF00.1 mi30 yd00
May 27, 2019EF10.53 mi20 yd00
Dec 4, 2017EF27.97 mi50 yd01
Jun 20, 2015EF14.41 mi50 yd00
May 24, 2015EF10.1 mi25 yd00
May 11, 2014EF00.1 mi30 yd00
Jun 21, 2010EF00.08 mi25 yd00
Jun 22, 2007EF00.3 mi75 yd00
May 30, 2004F10.5 mi70 yd00
May 30, 2004F00.3 mi40 yd00
May 30, 2004F10.3 mi70 yd00
May 30, 2004F00.3 mi40 yd00
May 10, 2003F211.5 mi200 yd00
Jun 26, 2002F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 7, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 7, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 7, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Mar 12, 1990F00.2 mi20 yd00
May 21, 1982F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 21, 1982F00.1 mi10 yd00
Oct 22, 1979F10.5 mi60 yd00

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 17, 20263 SW KeokukNot yet rated
Mar 10, 20262 W WeverNot yet rated
Mar 10, 20262 SSE FranklinNot yet rated
Mar 10, 20264 WSW DonnellsonNot 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 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 12, 2026.