Washington County, Iowa tornadoes

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25confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1965). Most recent: May 24, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 4 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 Washington County

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The record

At a glance

Total251950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay10 of 25
StrongestEF4Mar 31, 2023
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries52whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 6May: 10Jun: 5Jul: 1Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 10 of 25 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 26 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 2: 2: 13 PM: 6: 3: 26 PM: 3: 1: 19 PM: 0: 1: 112 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 2: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 3: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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: 4 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
4
EF1
11
EF2
7
EF3
2
EF4
1

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

EF4, March 31, 2023

19.9 mile path Longest path

103.5 miles, F0

April 3, 1981, whole path Widest

700 yards, EF4

March 31, 2023
Every tornado

All 25 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 24, 2024EF122.52 mi150 yd00
May 24, 2024EF118.32 mi100 yd00
Mar 31, 2023EF419.9 mi700 yd03
May 17, 2017EF15.95 mi40 yd00
May 17, 2017EF13.22 mi25 yd00
Jun 20, 2015EF11.38 mi75 yd00
May 3, 2012EF26.73 mi440 yd00
Jul 16, 2007EF10.5 mi100 yd00
Jun 6, 2006F0n/a30 yd00
Apr 2, 2006F10.1 mi50 yd00
Apr 2, 2006F21 mi75 yd00
Jun 12, 2002F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 15, 1998F347 mi400 yd047
Jun 8, 1993F15 mi40 yd00
May 8, 1988F236 mi60 yd00
May 8, 1988F271 mi60 yd00
May 20, 1987F125 mi27 yd00
Jun 7, 1984F224 mi200 yd01
Apr 3, 1981F0103.5 mi50 yd00
Nov 9, 1975F20.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 20, 1973F12 mi350 yd00
May 9, 1970F22 mi100 yd00
Jan 24, 1967F11 mi200 yd00
Apr 23, 1965F347.4 mi10 yd01
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Aug 7, 2026RubioNot yet rated
Jun 11, 20262 W HaskinsNot yet rated
Apr 17, 20264 E West ChesterNot yet rated
Apr 2, 20262 S RichmondNot 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.