Chautauqua County, Kansas tornadoes

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24confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: May 6, 2024, 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 Chautauqua County

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The record

At a glance

Total241950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril11 of 24
StrongestF4Apr 2, 1956
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries29whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

110 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 0Apr: 11May: 7Jun: 2Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 3Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 11 of 24 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 0: 03 PM: 2: 2: 46 PM: 1: 4: 29 PM: 6: 0: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 9:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 2: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 4: 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
17
EF1
3
EF2
1
EF4
1
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

Deadliest

F4, April 2, 1956

2 deaths, 29 injuries Strongest

F4, April 2, 1956

108.3 mile path Longest path

108.3 miles, F4

April 2, 1956, whole path Widest

880 yards, F4

April 2, 1956
Every tornado

All 24 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 6, 2024EFU0.01 mi10 yd00
Apr 30, 2024EF00.07 mi15 yd00
Apr 27, 2024EF00.03 mi20 yd00
Apr 27, 2024EF00.01 mi10 yd00
Sep 21, 2019EFU0.5 mi25 yd00
May 14, 2018EF00.45 mi50 yd00
Sep 1, 2014EF17.4 mi100 yd00
Apr 2, 2014EF00.02 mi10 yd00
Apr 14, 2011EF00.5 mi60 yd00
Feb 27, 2011EF00.95 mi75 yd00
Jun 4, 2005F00.5 mi110 yd00
Apr 30, 2003F00.5 mi55 yd00
Apr 30, 2003F01 mi110 yd00
Apr 14, 2001F00.5 mi110 yd00
May 14, 1990F05 mi27 yd00
May 14, 1990F01 mi27 yd00
May 14, 1990F00.5 mi27 yd00
Jun 10, 1986F00.1 mi50 yd00
Apr 29, 1984F00.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 24, 1973F15 mi150 yd00
May 26, 1973F11 mi200 yd00
May 16, 1957F239.3 mi200 yd00
Apr 2, 1956F4108.3 mi880 yd229
Apr 30, 1951F00.1 mi10 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.