Rawlins County, Kansas tornadoes

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54 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: July 6, 2024, EFU. 2026 so far: 6 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total541950 to 2025
Per year0.7average since 1950
Peak monthMay16 of 54
StrongestF3May 14, 1951
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries4whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 5May: 16Jun: 14Jul: 11Aug: 6Sep: 0Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 16 of 54 tornadoes.

By time of day

130 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 2: 2: 13 PM: 5: 6: 136 PM: 2: 9: 49 PM: 2: 5: 212 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

50 1950: 1: 3: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 1: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 1: 2: 2: 4: 0: 5: 0: 1: 12000: 1: 2: 4: 1: 0: 1: 0: 3: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 3: 0: 2: 1: 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: 6 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
23
EF1
18
EF2
4
EF3
3
Unknown
6

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.

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, May 14, 1951

0.1 mile path Longest path

70.1 miles, F0

May 20, 1957, whole path Widest

450 yards, EF1

May 26, 2021

All 54 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 6, 2024EFU3.31 mi75 yd00
May 11, 2023EFU1.78 mi75 yd00
May 11, 2023EFU1.16 mi100 yd00
May 26, 2021EFU2.39 mi100 yd00
May 26, 2021EF13.51 mi450 yd00
May 26, 2021EFU1.85 mi200 yd00
Aug 11, 2019EFU0.95 mi50 yd00
Apr 20, 2014EF00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 23, 2007EF16 mi75 yd00
Apr 23, 2007EF112.5 mi100 yd00
Apr 23, 2007EF12.5 mi50 yd00
May 28, 2005F00.3 mi25 yd00
Jun 28, 2003F10.3 mi25 yd00
Jun 19, 2002F00.2 mi25 yd00
Jun 19, 2002F10.2 mi25 yd00
Jun 19, 2002F05 mi100 yd00
Jun 19, 2002F00.2 mi25 yd00
Jul 27, 2001F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 27, 2001F00.2 mi50 yd00
Oct 31, 2000F00.7 mi70 yd00
Jul 2, 1999F10.7 mi250 yd00
May 22, 1998F00.2 mi30 yd00
Aug 6, 1996F13 mi100 yd00
Jul 23, 1996F00.2 mi20 yd00
May 22, 1996F01 mi30 yd00

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 20, 202613 SE LudellNot yet rated
Jun 20, 20266 S AtwoodNot yet rated
Jun 20, 20266 SSE LudellNot yet rated
Jun 20, 20265 ESE LudellNot yet rated
Jun 20, 20264 SE LudellNot yet rated
Jun 20, 20261 WNW AtwoodNot 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 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.