Plymouth County, Iowa tornadoes

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52confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: April 16, 2024, 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 Plymouth County

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The record

At a glance

Total521950 to 2025
Per year0.7average since 1950
Peak monthJune16 of 52
StrongestF3May 5, 1964
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries13whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 5May: 7Jun: 16Jul: 9Aug: 5Sep: 3Oct: 5Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 16 of 52 tornadoes.

By time of day

130 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 2: 212 PM: 4: 1: 13 PM: 1: 13: 86 PM: 5: 3: 39 PM: 3: 2: 412 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

50 1950: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 2: 5: 2: 0: 2: 1: 01970: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 2: 1: 11980: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 2: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 3: 1: 12000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 3: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 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
18
EF1
16
EF2
12
EF3
4
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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, May 5, 1964

67 mile path Longest path

67 miles, F3

May 5, 1964, whole path Widest

800 yards, EF1

October 4, 2013
Every tornado

All 52 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 16, 2024EF11.32 mi25 yd00
Apr 16, 2024EFU0.01 mi10 yd00
Apr 16, 2024EFU0.01 mi10 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF13.72 mi75 yd00
May 28, 2016EF00.09 mi25 yd00
Oct 23, 2015EF00.15 mi50 yd00
Oct 4, 2013EF01.28 mi50 yd00
Oct 4, 2013EF11.11 mi100 yd00
Oct 4, 2013EF16.47 mi800 yd00
Jun 20, 2011EF00.91 mi100 yd00
Jun 4, 2005F01 mi50 yd00
Aug 17, 2001F00.1 mi5 yd00
Jun 5, 1999F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 23, 1998F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 27, 1997F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 7, 1997F01 mi50 yd00
Jul 7, 1997F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 1, 1996F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 20, 1994F00.1 mi23 yd00
Jun 12, 1994F217.5 mi370 yd00
Aug 7, 1991F28 mi80 yd00
Aug 7, 1991F21.5 mi63 yd00
Apr 27, 1989F00.4 mi30 yd00
May 8, 1986F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 4, 1985F12 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 17, 20265 NW KingsleyNot 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.