Cole County, Missouri tornadoes

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11confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1966). Most recent: May 22, 2019, EF3. 2026 so far: 2 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.

The record

At a glance

Total111950 to 2025
Per year0.1average since 1950
Peak monthMay5 of 11
StrongestEF3May 22, 2019
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries33whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 3May: 5Jun: 0Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 5 of 11 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 23 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 2: 03 PM: 0: 1: 46 PM: 1: 0: 09 PM: 1: 0: 012 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

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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: 2 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
3
EF1
5
EF2
2
EF3
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

EF3, May 22, 2019

32.68 mile path Longest path

42.7 miles, F2

May 12, 1980, whole path Widest

1,500 yards, EF3

May 22, 2019
Every tornado

All 11 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 22, 2019EF332.68 mi1,500 yd033
May 19, 2017EF10.95 mi75 yd00
Apr 8, 1999F112 mi200 yd00
Apr 15, 1994F125 mi70 yd00
Oct 3, 1986F210 mi100 yd00
Mar 15, 1984F00.1 mi50 yd00
May 1, 1983F00.5 mi50 yd00
May 1, 1983F19 mi77 yd00
Apr 2, 1982F00.5 mi50 yd00
May 12, 1980F242.7 mi50 yd00
Oct 14, 1966F13.3 mi50 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 17, 20262 SSE MarionNot yet rated
Apr 17, 20262 SSE MarionNot 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 12, 2026.