Taylor County, Iowa tornadoes

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40confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: May 21, 2024, EF4. 2026 so far: 3 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 Taylor County

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The record

At a glance

Total401950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay12 of 40
StrongestEF4May 21, 2024
Deaths5whole paths, see note
Injuries59whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

120 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 11May: 12Jun: 9Jul: 2Aug: 0Sep: 1Oct: 2Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 12 of 40 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 26 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 1: 3: 43 PM: 9: 3: 56 PM: 5: 2: 49 PM: 0: 0: 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: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 3: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 1: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 52000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 2: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 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: 3 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
12
EF1
14
EF2
7
EF3
5
EF4
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

Deadliest

EF4, May 21, 2024

5 deaths, 35 injuries Strongest

EF4, May 21, 2024

40.65 mile path Longest path

49 miles, F4

April 8, 1999, whole path Widest

1,600 yards, EF4

May 21, 2024
Every tornado

All 40 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 21, 2024EF440.65 mi1,600 yd535
Apr 16, 2024EF02.62 mi50 yd00
Jun 28, 2017EF26.99 mi1,000 yd00
Jun 16, 2017EF11.32 mi40 yd00
Apr 27, 2016EF00.62 mi50 yd00
Apr 27, 2016EF00.91 mi40 yd00
Apr 27, 2016EF02.23 mi200 yd00
Nov 11, 2015EF121.8 mi450 yd00
May 11, 2011EF11 mi400 yd00
May 11, 2011EF10.74 mi440 yd00
May 11, 2011EF00.18 mi30 yd00
Jun 8, 2008EF01.25 mi70 yd00
Jun 13, 2005F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jul 26, 2002F17 mi60 yd00
Sep 7, 1999F00.7 mi30 yd00
May 16, 1999F11.2 mi40 yd00
Apr 8, 1999F449 mi1,000 yd03
Apr 5, 1999F00.2 mi20 yd00
Apr 5, 1999F13 min/a00
May 27, 1996F10.3 mi45 yd00
Jun 5, 1994F10.1 mi20 yd00
May 6, 1993F29 mi70 yd00
May 19, 1987F06 mi13 yd00
Jun 7, 1984F325 mi100 yd03
May 1, 1983F12 mi20 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 18, 20265 WNW AthelstanNot yet rated
May 18, 20265 WNW AthelstanNot yet rated
May 16, 20261 SW GravityNot 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.