Mercer County, Missouri tornadoes

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16confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: April 27, 2024, EF0. 2026 so far: 3 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 Mercer County

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The record

At a glance

Total161950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthApril5 of 16
StrongestF4Apr 21, 1973
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries1whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

April is the peak month, with 5 of 16 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 33 PM: 3: 2: 06 PM: 0: 2: 29 PM: 0: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 21960: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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: 3 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
6
EF1
6
EF2
3
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

Strongest

F4, April 21, 1973

14.6 mile path Longest path

29.6 miles, F2

April 16, 1960, whole path Widest

800 yards, F2

April 29, 1970
Every tornado

All 16 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 27, 2024EF03.96 mi75 yd00
Mar 6, 2017EF110.34 mi100 yd00
Nov 11, 2015EF00.25 mi40 yd00
Jun 29, 2014EF16.31 mi300 yd00
Jul 19, 2010EF00.1 mi25 yd00
May 29, 2004F04 mi100 yd00
May 10, 2003F00.1 mi25 yd00
Apr 21, 1973F414.6 mi440 yd01
Apr 29, 1970F229.3 mi800 yd00
Jun 4, 1960F10.2 mi17 yd00
Apr 16, 1960F229.6 mi100 yd00
Sep 26, 1959F25.4 mi50 yd00
May 20, 1959F15.9 mi10 yd00
Jun 15, 1958F10.5 mi10 yd00
Jul 21, 1957F00.8 mi10 yd00
Apr 26, 1955F11 mi100 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 10, 20263 NNE PrincetonNot yet rated
Jun 10, 20263 ENE PrincetonNot yet rated
Jun 10, 20264 E MercerNot 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 13, 2026.