Pawnee County, Kansas tornadoes

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54confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: May 18, 2025, EF2. 2026 so far: 3 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 Pawnee County

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The record

At a glance

Total541950 to 2025
Per year0.7average since 1950
Peak monthMay21 of 54
StrongestF4May 4, 1950
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries3whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

210 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 4Apr: 6May: 21Jun: 17Jul: 1Aug: 1Sep: 3Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 21 of 54 tornadoes.

By time of day

150 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 0: 3: 43 PM: 0: 6: 156 PM: 11: 3: 69 PM: 1: 2: 112 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

60 1950: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 6: 2: 0: 0: 21960: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 3: 2: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 3: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 1: 2: 3: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 22020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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: 3 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
18
EF1
21
EF2
5
EF3
6
EF4
3
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

Strongest

F4, May 4, 1950

34.3 mile path Longest path

72.2 miles, F4

June 4, 1955, whole path Widest

1,300 yards, F3

March 27, 2004
Every tornado

All 54 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 18, 2025EF27.75 mi50 yd00
May 17, 2019EFU0.8 mi50 yd00
May 17, 2019EF210.92 mi565 yd00
May 16, 2017EF326.64 mi300 yd02
Apr 15, 2017EF00.21 mi50 yd00
May 11, 2014EF13.3 mi150 yd00
May 18, 2013EF02.06 mi100 yd00
May 18, 2013EF14 mi100 yd00
May 18, 2013EF47 mi1,100 yd00
Apr 14, 2012EF14.68 mi100 yd00
Apr 14, 2012EF14.1 mi100 yd00
May 24, 2011EF14.67 mi200 yd00
Jun 20, 2009EF15.05 mi100 yd00
Apr 1, 2006F00.3 mi20 yd00
Mar 27, 2004F00.5 mi20 yd00
Mar 27, 2004F11.5 mi80 yd00
Mar 27, 2004F310 mi1,300 yd00
Jun 13, 2001F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jun 13, 2001F07 mi250 yd00
Apr 21, 2001F00.4 mi30 yd00
Mar 23, 2000F13.3 mi100 yd00
Jun 11, 1996F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jun 11, 1996F00.2 mi50 yd00
May 22, 1995F00.2 mi50 yd00
May 16, 1995F00.1 mi100 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Sep 30, 20262 E Ash ValleyNot yet rated
Sep 30, 20263 SSW Ash ValleyNot yet rated
Sep 30, 20263 SW SanfordNot 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.