Cowley County, Kansas tornadoes

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87confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: April 27, 2024, EF1. 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 Cowley County

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The record

At a glance

Total871950 to 2025
Per year1.1average since 1950
Peak monthMay29 of 87
StrongestF5May 25, 1955
Deaths83whole paths, see note
Injuries321whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

290 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 8Apr: 12May: 29Jun: 21Jul: 3Aug: 4Sep: 4Oct: 4Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 29 of 87 tornadoes.

By time of day

150 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 212 PM: 3: 3: 43 PM: 7: 11: 136 PM: 8: 15: 99 PM: 6: 3: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 7:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

90 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 3: 2: 1: 1: 11960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 01980: 1: 3: 0: 0: 6: 0: 1: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 3: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 5: 02000: 0: 0: 2: 1: 4: 4: 0: 0: 1: 62010: 5: 3: 0: 3: 1: 0: 4: 0: 9: 02020: 0: 0: 3: 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.

By rating

EF0
55
EF1
18
EF2
4
EF3
3
EF4
3
EF5
1
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

F5, May 25, 1955

80 deaths, 273 injuries Strongest

F5, May 25, 1955

56.4 mile path Longest path

108.3 miles, F4

April 2, 1956, whole path Widest

1,320 yards, F5

May 25, 1955
Every tornado

All 87 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 27, 2024EF10.64 mi20 yd00
Apr 27, 2024EF21.29 mi100 yd00
May 31, 2022EFU0.01 mi20 yd00
May 31, 2022EFU0.03 mi20 yd00
May 31, 2022EFU0.02 mi20 yd00
Jul 30, 2018EF03.73 mi100 yd00
May 14, 2018EF01.64 mi50 yd00
May 14, 2018EF12.31 mi50 yd00
May 14, 2018EF00.26 mi50 yd00
May 14, 2018EF14.23 mi75 yd00
May 14, 2018EF20.8 mi75 yd00
May 14, 2018EF02.11 mi50 yd00
May 14, 2018EF00.08 mi50 yd00
May 14, 2018EF00.27 mi50 yd00
Oct 6, 2016EF10.51 mi75 yd00
Oct 6, 2016EF10.14 mi50 yd00
Oct 6, 2016EF00.03 mi50 yd00
Mar 30, 2016EF00.5 mi50 yd00
Sep 1, 2014EF03.69 mi100 yd00
May 19, 2013EF00.19 mi50 yd00
May 19, 2013EF11.84 mi60 yd00
May 19, 2013EF00.71 mi50 yd00
Apr 14, 2011EF00.24 mi50 yd00
Apr 14, 2011EF02.17 mi125 yd00
Feb 27, 2011EF03.47 mi75 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.