Butler County, Nebraska tornadoes

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

37 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: May 21, 2024, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list

Every tornado path in the county

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.

At a glance

Total371950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJune14 of 37
StrongestF4Apr 7, 1978
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries7whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

140 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 5May: 10Jun: 14Jul: 2Aug: 2Sep: 2Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 14 of 37 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 2: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 0: 1: 23 PM: 1: 5: 76 PM: 5: 3: 29 PM: 1: 3: 212 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 2: 3: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 3: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 4: 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
17
EF1
13
EF2
4
EF3
1
EF4
1
Unknown
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.

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F4, April 7, 1978

8 mile path Longest path

47.4 miles, F1

June 4, 1971, whole path Widest

1,300 yards, F3

August 13, 1952

All 37 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 21, 2024EF02.64 mi50 yd00
May 21, 2024EF00.62 mi50 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EFU0.72 mi30 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF18.09 mi200 yd00
Sep 23, 2015EF01.53 mi50 yd00
May 29, 2013EF00.64 mi25 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF15.5 mi220 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF13.79 mi440 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF15.59 mi440 yd00
Sep 15, 2006F21 mi100 yd00
Mar 30, 2006F00.5 mi440 yd00
Oct 29, 2000F03 mi50 yd00
Jun 20, 1996F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 20, 1996F10.3 mi30 yd00
May 15, 1992F00.2 mi50 yd00
May 15, 1992F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jul 8, 1988F00.2 mi40 yd00
Apr 19, 1985F11 mi300 yd00
May 29, 1980F119.6 mi80 yd02
Apr 7, 1978F12 mi20 yd00
Apr 7, 1978F48 mi50 yd00
May 23, 1972F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 23, 1972F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 13, 1971F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 6, 1971F00.1 mi10 yd00

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Butler 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 12, 2026.