Clay County, Kansas tornadoes

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45confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: May 9, 2023, EFU. 2026 so far: 2 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 Clay County

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The record

At a glance

Total451950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay20 of 45
StrongestF3May 25, 1951
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries13whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

200 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 7May: 20Jun: 6Jul: 4Aug: 0Sep: 3Oct: 4Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 20 of 45 tornadoes.

By time of day

110 12 AM: 1: 1: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 1: 03 PM: 11: 4: 66 PM: 6: 6: 19 PM: 1: 3: 212 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

40 1950: 0: 4: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 21960: 3: 1: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 4: 0: 3: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 4: 1: 2: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 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. This year so far: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
16
EF1
19
EF2
7
EF3
2
Unknown
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

Deadliest

F3, May 25, 1951

1 deaths, 0 injuries Strongest

F3, May 25, 1951

4.1 mile path Longest path

71.4 miles, F2

October 18, 1979, whole path Widest

880 yards, F1

April 6, 2006
Every tornado

All 45 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 9, 2023EFU1.92 mi30 yd00
May 1, 2018EF111.89 mi50 yd00
May 1, 2018EF18.13 mi200 yd00
May 19, 2017EF00.02 mi20 yd00
Oct 6, 2016EF16.41 mi300 yd00
Oct 6, 2016EF19.97 mi200 yd00
Oct 4, 2016EF14.92 mi75 yd00
May 9, 2016EF00.02 mi25 yd00
May 18, 2013EF16.99 mi75 yd00
Apr 14, 2011EF00.1 mi25 yd00
Jun 5, 2008EF110.07 mi25 yd00
Jun 5, 2008EF04.62 mi50 yd00
Jun 5, 2008EF114.35 mi100 yd00
Apr 6, 2006F19 mi880 yd00
Apr 6, 2006F04 mi100 yd00
Apr 6, 2006F01 mi100 yd00
Jan 28, 2006F00.8 mi75 yd00
Jul 24, 1993F00.2 mi13 yd00
May 18, 1989F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jul 15, 1988F00.5 mi20 yd00
Jul 15, 1988F00.5 mi20 yd00
May 16, 1986F19 mi100 yd00
Jun 10, 1983F00.1 mi10 yd00
Oct 18, 1979F271.4 mi400 yd011
Sep 26, 1973F22.5 mi33 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 18, 20261 N WakefieldNot yet rated
May 18, 20265 WSW IdanaNot 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.