Barton County, Missouri tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Barton County...

39confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: April 20, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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

Total391950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay13 of 39
StrongestF4May 4, 2003
Deaths15whole paths, see note
Injuries99whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 0Feb: 3Mar: 4Apr: 4May: 13Jun: 2Jul: 3Aug: 3Sep: 3Oct: 1Nov: 1Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 13 of 39 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 2: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 2: 0: 112 PM: 1: 1: 23 PM: 3: 7: 46 PM: 2: 5: 29 PM: 3: 3: 012 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 11960: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 2: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 2: 2: 2: 1: 02010: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 22020: 0: 1: 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: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
20
EF1
13
EF2
1
EF3
4
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

Deadliest

F3, May 4, 2003

5 deaths, 47 injuries Strongest

F4, May 4, 2003

33 mile path Longest path

86 miles, F3

May 4, 2003, whole path Widest

1,200 yards, EF1

May 20, 2019
Every tornado

All 39 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 20, 2025EF019.75 mi300 yd00
Oct 11, 2021EF02.35 mi50 yd00
May 22, 2019EF311.29 mi880 yd31
May 20, 2019EF110.67 mi1,200 yd00
Aug 19, 2018EF00.25 mi25 yd00
Aug 19, 2018EF00.1 mi25 yd00
Aug 19, 2018EF00.01 mi50 yd00
Apr 2, 2015EF02.57 mi100 yd00
May 20, 2013EF16.81 mi100 yd00
Feb 28, 2012EF116 mi200 yd00
Jul 12, 2010EF00.27 mi25 yd00
May 13, 2008EF00.03 mi20 yd00
Jun 10, 2007EF00.5 mi200 yd00
Apr 24, 2007EF02.83 mi25 yd00
May 3, 2006F016 mi50 yd00
Mar 12, 2006F057 mi50 yd00
Sep 28, 2005F00.4 mi25 yd00
Sep 13, 2005F00.2 mi20 yd00
May 4, 2003F386 mi880 yd547
May 4, 2003F433 mi880 yd430
Dec 18, 2002F19.5 mi100 yd17
May 26, 1996F10.2 mi50 yd00
May 26, 1996F13 mi100 yd00
Jul 25, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 7, 1995F15 mi100 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Mar 6, 20261 NE IanthaNot 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

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Barton County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 12, 2026.