Carter County, Missouri tornadoes

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22confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: March 14, 2025, EF3. 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 Carter County

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The record

At a glance

Total221950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthDecember6 of 22
StrongestF4May 21, 1957
Deaths10whole paths, see note
Injuries139whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 4Apr: 4May: 5Jun: 3Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 6JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

December is the peak month, with 6 of 22 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 1: 2: 23 PM: 4: 3: 26 PM: 2: 1: 29 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 4: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 2: 0: 0: 1: 1: 219501960197019801990200020102020

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
6
EF1
5
EF2
4
EF3
4
EF4
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

F4, May 21, 1957

7 deaths, 75 injuries Strongest

F4, May 21, 1957

9.1 mile path Longest path

63 miles, F4

December 24, 1982, whole path Widest

1,200 yards, EF3

May 25, 2011
Every tornado

All 22 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 14, 2025EF330.6 mi325 yd20
Mar 14, 2025EF357.24 mi800 yd00
May 26, 2024EF00.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 5, 2023EF16.37 mi300 yd00
May 4, 2020EF04.04 mi50 yd00
Mar 12, 2020EF00.42 mi75 yd00
Dec 23, 2015EF16 mi100 yd00
May 25, 2011EF00.49 mi50 yd00
May 25, 2011EF347.41 mi1,200 yd02
Dec 31, 2010EF22.63 mi200 yd00
Jun 13, 2008EF10.62 mi125 yd00
Apr 24, 2004F27.6 mi200 yd05
Apr 24, 2002F440.5 mi650 yd016
Jun 7, 1995F01.5 mi300 yd00
Apr 29, 1984F115 mi10 yd00
Dec 24, 1982F233 mi300 yd12
Dec 24, 1982F463 mi440 yd011
Dec 2, 1982F10.5 mi50 yd02
Dec 2, 1982F213.5 mi200 yd00
Jun 4, 1973F00.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 25, 1964F346 mi300 yd026
May 21, 1957F49.1 mi500 yd775
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.