Jackson County, Kansas tornadoes

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37confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: May 12, 2023, EFU. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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.

The record

At a glance

Total371950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay13 of 37
StrongestF4Aug 6, 1962
Deaths5whole paths, see note
Injuries23whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 6May: 13Jun: 7Jul: 2Aug: 2Sep: 4Oct: 3Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 13 of 37 tornadoes.

By time of day

100 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 1: 03 PM: 5: 3: 106 PM: 8: 4: 19 PM: 1: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 1: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11960: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 1: 1: 3: 0: 1: 0: 1: 2: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 22020: 0: 0: 1: 3: 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: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
14
EF1
8
EF2
9
EF3
3
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

F3, May 31, 1978

3 deaths, 1 injuries Strongest

F4, August 6, 1962

11 mile path Longest path

54.1 miles, F2

October 18, 1979, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F2

May 4, 1959
Every tornado

All 37 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 12, 2023EFU0.01 mi10 yd00
May 12, 2023EFU0.01 mi10 yd00
May 12, 2023EF13.62 mi50 yd00
Apr 29, 2022EF13.28 mi40 yd00
May 21, 2019EF217.13 mi75 yd00
May 21, 2019EF012.56 mi50 yd00
May 15, 2015EF00.05 mi20 yd00
Jul 4, 2010EF02.07 mi75 yd00
Jun 11, 2008EF217.28 mi300 yd20
Apr 15, 2006F011 mi100 yd00
May 4, 1999F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 29, 1998F11 mi30 yd00
Jun 20, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Oct 8, 1997F112 mi100 yd00
Jul 4, 1995F00.5 mi50 yd00
Sep 21, 1993F00.2 mi23 yd00
Sep 21, 1993F00.5 mi30 yd00
May 6, 1993F15 mi250 yd00
Sep 5, 1992F03 mi13 yd00
Apr 26, 1991F244 mi200 yd00
Sep 8, 1989F01 mi350 yd01
Apr 26, 1984F210 mi400 yd01
Jun 8, 1982F210 mi200 yd00
Oct 18, 1979F254.1 mi200 yd05
May 31, 1978F337 mi1,300 yd31
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 18, 20263 SSE CirclevilleNot 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 12, 2026.