Lawrence County, Missouri tornadoes

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30confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1960). Most recent: April 29, 2025, EF0. 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 Lawrence County

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The record

At a glance

Total301950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthMay9 of 30
StrongestF3May 4, 2003
Deaths12whole paths, see note
Injuries86whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 2Feb: 0Mar: 3Apr: 6May: 9Jun: 1Jul: 0Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 3Nov: 2Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 9 of 30 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 3: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 0: 1: 29 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 33 PM: 1: 2: 36 PM: 2: 5: 29 PM: 1: 1: 212 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: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 2: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 2: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 2: 3: 22020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 319501960197019801990200020102020

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
7
EF1
17
EF2
3
EF3
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

F3, May 4, 2003

7 deaths, 48 injuries Strongest

F3, May 4, 2003

49 mile path Longest path

49 miles, F3

May 4, 2003, whole path Widest

880 yards, F3

May 4, 2003
Every tornado

All 30 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 29, 2025EF05.25 mi50 yd00
Apr 29, 2025EF15.16 mi100 yd00
Apr 29, 2025EF14.38 mi100 yd00
May 8, 2024EF110.77 mi150 yd00
Apr 30, 2019EF10.6 mi50 yd00
Apr 30, 2019EF13.75 mi100 yd00
Dec 1, 2018EF10.49 mi50 yd10
Aug 19, 2018EF19.44 mi100 yd00
Jan 21, 2018EF11.25 mi75 yd00
May 19, 2017EF01 mi100 yd00
May 19, 2017EF14.23 mi300 yd00
May 17, 2015EF14.53 mi100 yd00
Oct 13, 2014EF00.07 mi50 yd00
May 22, 2011EF214.13 mi800 yd00
Mar 31, 2008EF00.45 mi40 yd00
Jan 7, 2008EF06.43 mi50 yd00
Oct 17, 2007EF010.11 mi150 yd00
Mar 12, 2006F342 mi250 yd18
Nov 12, 2005F15 mi75 yd01
May 4, 2003F349 mi880 yd748
Dec 17, 2002F24 mi100 yd217
Nov 23, 2001F12 mi200 yd00
Oct 30, 1979F224.2 mi50 yd09
Mar 26, 1976F329.1 mi40 yd13
May 23, 1974F10.1 mi10 yd00
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.