Pottawatomie County, Kansas tornadoes

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41confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: April 28, 2025, EF0. 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 Pottawatomie County

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The record

At a glance

Total411950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay11 of 41
StrongestF3May 31, 1978
Deaths6whole paths, see note
Injuries21whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

110 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 4Apr: 7May: 11Jun: 10Jul: 1Aug: 2Sep: 2Oct: 4Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 11 of 41 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 1: 3: 13 PM: 4: 7: 56 PM: 7: 2: 29 PM: 1: 5: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

60 1950: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 21980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 6: 0: 1: 1: 1: 1: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 2: 0: 4: 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.

By rating

EF0
19
EF1
13
EF2
4
EF3
2
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

F3, May 31, 1978

3 deaths, 1 injuries Strongest

F3, May 31, 1978

37 mile path Longest path

71.4 miles, F2

October 18, 1979, whole path Widest

1,300 yards, F3

May 31, 1978
Every tornado

All 41 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 28, 2025EF03.57 mi50 yd00
Aug 14, 2024EFU0.01 mi15 yd00
Aug 14, 2024EFU0.48 mi20 yd00
Apr 30, 2024EFU0.25 mi20 yd00
Apr 30, 2024EF32.24 mi100 yd14
Jun 11, 2022EF111.25 mi50 yd00
Apr 29, 2022EF111.05 mi100 yd00
Oct 6, 2017EF11.1 mi40 yd00
Mar 6, 2017EF00.01 mi25 yd00
May 26, 2016EF15.49 mi100 yd00
Jun 11, 2008EF217.28 mi300 yd20
Jun 11, 2008EF04.58 mi75 yd00
Apr 15, 2006F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 4, 2005F10.5 mi100 yd00
May 8, 2003F00.1 mi60 yd00
May 4, 1999F00.2 min/a00
Jun 29, 1998F01 mi50 yd00
Oct 8, 1997F00.2 mi73 yd00
Mar 24, 1996F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 8, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 21, 1993F00.3 mi30 yd00
Sep 21, 1993F00.3 mi30 yd00
Jul 4, 1993F00.8 mi20 yd00
Jun 13, 1993F00.1 mi20 yd00
May 6, 1993F13.5 mi100 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.