Linn County, Iowa tornadoes

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66confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: July 11, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 2 preliminary reports 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 Linn County

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The record

At a glance

Total661950 to 2025
Per year0.9average since 1950
Peak monthMay14 of 66
StrongestF4Apr 30, 1954
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries44whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

140 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 10May: 14Jun: 10Jul: 13Aug: 6Sep: 6Oct: 3Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 14 of 66 tornadoes.

By time of day

120 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 2: 16 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 2: 212 PM: 4: 3: 33 PM: 12: 7: 66 PM: 6: 5: 29 PM: 4: 6: 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

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 3: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 21980: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 11990: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 5: 22000: 1: 1: 0: 3: 3: 1: 1: 1: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 2: 1: 4: 12020: 1: 3: 0: 2: 2: 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: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
23
EF1
19
EF2
13
EF3
3
EF4
2
Unknown
6

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, April 23, 1961

1 deaths, 12 injuries Strongest

F4, April 30, 1954

80.4 mile path Longest path

87.7 miles, F3

April 23, 1961, whole path Widest

2,200 yards, F2

September 28, 1972
Every tornado

All 66 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 11, 2025EF112.45 mi150 yd00
Jul 11, 2025EF26.74 mi300 yd00
Jul 11, 2025EF14.13 mi250 yd00
Jun 25, 2024EF00.54 mi50 yd00
May 24, 2024EFU10.99 mi10 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF28.97 mi75 yd00
Jan 16, 2023EFU0.85 mi10 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EFU0.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 14, 2021EFU0.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 7, 2021EF00.65 mi40 yd01
Aug 10, 2020EFU0.92 mi40 yd00
Jun 9, 2019EFU6.43 mi10 yd00
Sep 25, 2018EF10.12 mi20 yd00
Sep 3, 2018EF12.18 mi30 yd00
Sep 3, 2018EF00.01 mi15 yd00
Sep 3, 2018EF14.98 mi100 yd00
Jun 28, 2017EF211.69 mi200 yd01
Aug 28, 2016EF00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 17, 2016EF23.99 mi75 yd04
Dec 23, 2015EF12.25 mi50 yd00
Apr 27, 2014EF00.5 mi50 yd00
Apr 26, 2009EF121.04 mi100 yd00
Jul 18, 2007EF11.2 mi100 yd00
Apr 13, 2006F01 mi200 yd00
Jun 29, 2005F00.7 mi20 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Aug 7, 20263 WNW PrairieburgNot yet rated
Jul 31, 20262 SW Cedar Rapids MunicNot 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.

Cities

Cities in Linn County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

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.