Dawson County, Nebraska tornadoes

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59confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: October 12, 2023, EFU. 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 Dawson County

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The record

At a glance

Total591950 to 2025
Per year0.8average since 1950
Peak monthJune16 of 59
StrongestF3Apr 20, 1974
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries18whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 7May: 14Jun: 16Jul: 12Aug: 4Sep: 1Oct: 4Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 16 of 59 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 33 PM: 6: 7: 76 PM: 9: 8: 29 PM: 6: 2: 412 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 3: 0: 0: 3: 31960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 3: 1: 1: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 4: 1: 1: 11990: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 12000: 2: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 1: 1: 02010: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 32020: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 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
25
EF1
23
EF2
5
EF3
5
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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, April 20, 1974

63.5 mile path Longest path

63.5 miles, F3

April 20, 1974, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F3

June 6, 1993
Every tornado

All 59 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Oct 12, 2023EFU0.01 mi20 yd00
Oct 3, 2023EF01.08 mi50 yd00
May 5, 2023EF14.68 mi80 yd00
May 17, 2019EF01.58 mi150 yd00
May 17, 2019EF19.75 mi600 yd00
May 17, 2019EF14.67 mi400 yd00
Jul 9, 2013EF01.72 mi50 yd00
Jun 1, 2011EF00.1 mi15 yd00
May 30, 2011EF00.36 mi25 yd00
Jun 23, 2008EF05.06 mi75 yd00
Apr 20, 2007EF218.92 mi1,320 yd09
May 17, 2005F01 mi30 yd00
May 29, 2004F00.1 mi50 yd00
Apr 18, 2003F00.1 mi25 yd00
Oct 31, 2000F223 mi220 yd00
Jun 29, 2000F00.8 mi20 yd00
May 30, 1999F15 mi100 yd00
Oct 16, 1998F03.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 6, 1998F00.5 mi30 yd00
Jul 6, 1998F00.5 mi30 yd00
Jul 3, 1993F10.5 mi23 yd00
Jun 6, 1993F310 mi880 yd00
Jun 6, 1993F360 mi1,760 yd02
Jun 12, 1990F00.5 mi30 yd00
Jun 25, 1989F00.1 mi30 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.