Pettis County, Missouri tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Pettis County...

43confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: May 6, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 Pettis County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total431950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay11 of 43
StrongestF3Apr 20, 1973
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries111whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

110 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 10Apr: 8May: 11Jun: 3Jul: 1Aug: 1Sep: 2Oct: 3Nov: 3Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 11 of 43 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 2: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 0: 3: 23 PM: 6: 4: 66 PM: 8: 2: 49 PM: 2: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

90 1950: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 1: 4: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 1: 2: 3: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 2: 0: 2: 1: 0: 9: 0: 1: 02010: 1: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 0: 2: 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.

By rating

EF0
16
EF1
16
EF2
6
EF3
5

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

F2, August 21, 1952

1 deaths, 13 injuries Strongest

F3, April 20, 1973

5 mile path Longest path

28 miles, F0

March 12, 2006, whole path Widest

700 yards, F3

May 4, 1977
Every tornado

All 43 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 6, 2024EF19.74 mi75 yd00
Oct 24, 2021EF01.22 mi10 yd00
Oct 24, 2021EF00.47 mi10 yd00
Mar 6, 2017EF03.88 mi25 yd00
May 20, 2013EF114.5 mi200 yd00
May 25, 2011EF00.05 mi40 yd00
May 25, 2011EF22.11 mi500 yd020
May 20, 2010EF00.45 mi25 yd00
Sep 12, 2008EF00.11 mi25 yd00
Mar 30, 2006F113.6 mi75 yd10
Mar 30, 2006F09 mi50 yd00
Mar 12, 2006F212.8 mi200 yd04
Mar 12, 2006F220 mi150 yd06
Mar 12, 2006F08.8 mi100 yd00
Mar 12, 2006F211.2 mi500 yd16
Mar 12, 2006F113 mi150 yd00
Mar 12, 2006F028 mi150 yd00
Mar 9, 2006F01.3 mi50 yd00
Oct 29, 2004F110.5 mi50 yd00
May 6, 2003F022 mi50 yd02
May 4, 2003F00.5 mi50 yd00
May 30, 2001F10.5 mi30 yd00
Apr 10, 2001F110 mi75 yd00
Sep 20, 1992F10.6 mi33 yd00
Nov 15, 1988F00.5 mi30 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Pettis County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.