Poweshiek County, Iowa tornadoes

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33confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: March 31, 2023, EFU. 2026 so far: 0 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 Poweshiek County

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The record

At a glance

Total331950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthMay7 of 33
StrongestF3Sep 16, 1978
Deaths6whole paths, see note
Injuries60whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 3Apr: 6May: 7Jun: 6Jul: 2Aug: 1Sep: 3Oct: 2Nov: 3Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 7 of 33 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 1: 2: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 2: 0: 13 PM: 3: 5: 56 PM: 8: 3: 09 PM: 0: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 1: 1: 21970: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 2: 32020: 0: 0: 1: 1: 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.

By rating

EF0
9
EF1
11
EF2
6
EF3
4
Unknown
3

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, September 16, 1978

6 deaths, 45 injuries Strongest

F3, September 16, 1978

31.8 mile path Longest path

59 miles, F2

May 8, 1988, whole path Widest

1,250 yards, EF2

September 30, 2007
Every tornado

All 33 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 31, 2023EFU3.58 mi60 yd00
Mar 5, 2022EF217.31 mi500 yd00
May 29, 2019EFU0.95 mi30 yd00
May 29, 2019EFU0.9 mi30 yd00
May 29, 2019EF13.52 mi50 yd01
Oct 9, 2018EF02.28 mi30 yd00
Oct 9, 2018EF01.77 mi40 yd00
Nov 28, 2016EF01.17 mi30 yd00
Nov 28, 2016EF04.54 mi40 yd00
Nov 11, 2015EF26.6 mi150 yd00
Apr 10, 2008EF02.44 mi25 yd00
Apr 10, 2008EF17.64 mi50 yd00
Sep 30, 2007EF14.97 mi150 yd00
Sep 30, 2007EF221.86 mi1,250 yd00
Jun 12, 2001F00.2 mi25 yd00
May 18, 2000F03.6 mi10 yd00
Jul 2, 1993F14.5 mi30 yd00
May 8, 1988F259 mi60 yd00
May 11, 1985F01 mi20 yd00
Sep 16, 1978F331.8 mi200 yd645
Jun 26, 1978F20.7 mi100 yd01
Jun 6, 1971F110.1 mi200 yd00
Jul 3, 1970F12 mi150 yd00
Jun 20, 1970F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 29, 1969F18.2 mi250 yd00
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.