Washington County, Kansas tornadoes

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41confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: May 26, 2019, EF0. 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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Washington County

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The record

At a glance

Total411950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay18 of 41
StrongestF4May 20, 1957
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries8whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

180 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 7May: 18Jun: 8Jul: 3Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 1Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 18 of 41 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 2: 43 PM: 2: 6: 06 PM: 3: 8: 49 PM: 5: 3: 112 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 21960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 2: 0: 2: 0: 0: 2: 1: 3: 02000: 0: 2: 1: 0: 2: 0: 2: 1: 1: 12010: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 3: 1: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 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
21
EF1
12
EF2
4
EF3
3
EF4
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 20, 1957

44.6 mile path Longest path

69.9 miles, F3

September 25, 1973, whole path Widest

440 yards, F2

April 6, 2006
Every tornado

All 41 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 26, 2019EF00.12 mi50 yd00
Oct 6, 2016EF19.97 mi200 yd00
May 6, 2015EF00.25 mi75 yd00
May 6, 2015EF14.05 mi75 yd00
May 6, 2015EF06.04 mi50 yd00
May 18, 2013EF00.34 mi50 yd00
May 18, 2013EF16.99 mi75 yd00
Apr 29, 2010EF00.96 mi25 yd00
Jun 17, 2009EF18.83 mi200 yd00
Jun 5, 2008EF00.1 mi25 yd00
May 5, 2007EF11.38 mi200 yd00
Apr 6, 2006F217.3 mi440 yd00
Jan 28, 2006F00.3 mi50 yd00
May 29, 2004F01 mi50 yd00
May 24, 2004F00.1 mi50 yd00
May 5, 2002F00.1 mi100 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F14 mi100 yd00
Apr 11, 2001F06 mi75 yd00
Jun 27, 1998F00.2 mi30 yd00
Jun 27, 1998F03 mi50 yd00
Jun 27, 1998F14.5 mi100 yd00
Aug 16, 1997F00.8 mi150 yd00
May 9, 1996F21.5 mi100 yd00
May 9, 1996F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jul 24, 1993F10.3 mi20 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 18, 20263 SE PalmerNot 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.