Cooper County, Missouri tornadoes

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19 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1968). Most recent: April 2, 2025, EF2. 2026 so far: 0 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

Total191950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril7 of 19
StrongestF2Apr 20, 1973
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries0whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 3Apr: 7May: 4Jun: 1Jul: 2Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 7 of 19 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 1: 13 PM: 1: 5: 26 PM: 2: 1: 39 PM: 1: 0: 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: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 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.

By rating

EF0
10
EF1
5
EF2
4

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

F2, April 20, 1973

2.3 mile path Longest path

28 miles, F0

March 12, 2006, whole path Widest

400 yards, EF0

March 6, 2017

All 19 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 2, 2025EF26.13 mi200 yd00
Mar 6, 2017EF017.45 mi400 yd00
May 25, 2011EF00.05 mi40 yd00
Mar 12, 2006F01 mi75 yd00
Mar 12, 2006F028 mi150 yd00
Aug 13, 2005F08 mi100 yd00
Apr 10, 2001F15 mi50 yd00
Apr 8, 1999F14 min/a00
Sep 7, 1992F210.2 mi60 yd00
Jul 11, 1992F00.2 mi30 yd00
Apr 29, 1984F01 mi50 yd00
May 14, 1982F12 mi100 yd00
May 14, 1982F21 mi77 yd00
Apr 20, 1976F00.3 mi17 yd00
Jul 19, 1975F00.3 mi30 yd00
May 21, 1973F10.5 mi50 yd00
Apr 20, 1973F22.3 mi50 yd00
Apr 20, 1973F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 11, 1968F00.5 mi27 yd00

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.