Howard County, Nebraska tornadoes

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50confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: May 18, 2025, EFU. 2026 so far: 3 preliminary reports preliminary

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Recent warnings in Howard County

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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.

The record

At a glance

Total501950 to 2025
Per year0.7average since 1950
Peak monthMay19 of 50
StrongestF4May 8, 1965
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries40whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

190 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 6May: 19Jun: 17Jul: 5Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 19 of 50 tornadoes.

By time of day

100 12 AM: 0: 2: 13 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 2: 312 PM: 1: 0: 33 PM: 2: 10: 86 PM: 3: 2: 79 PM: 1: 1: 312 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 31960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 4: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 2: 0: 2: 5: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 32000: 0: 0: 1: 1: 5: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 5: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
21
EF1
13
EF2
7
EF3
6
EF4
1
Unknown
2

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, July 8, 1955

1 deaths, 13 injuries Strongest

F4, May 8, 1965

78.9 mile path Longest path

78.9 miles, F4

May 8, 1965, whole path Widest

880 yards, F3

June 6, 1993
Every tornado

All 50 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 18, 2025EFU0.01 mi30 yd00
May 23, 2024EF16.99 mi95 yd00
May 12, 2024EFU2.32 mi35 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF29.2 mi880 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF39.31 mi600 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF02.29 mi50 yd00
May 29, 2013EF00.01 mi15 yd00
Jun 20, 2011EF00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 4, 2008EF03.61 mi25 yd00
Jul 12, 2004F00.1 mi25 yd00
Jun 10, 2004F01 mi100 yd00
May 16, 2004F02.5 mi75 yd00
May 16, 2004F03 mi50 yd00
May 16, 2004F01 mi25 yd00
May 4, 2003F01 mi35 yd00
May 26, 2002F00.5 mi25 yd00
May 2, 1999F211 min/a00
Apr 21, 1999F00.3 mi20 yd00
Apr 21, 1999F22 mi30 yd00
Oct 17, 1994F13 mi50 yd00
Jun 26, 1993F11 mi73 yd00
Jun 12, 1993F10.5 mi50 yd00
Jun 12, 1993F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jun 6, 1993F350 mi880 yd00
May 7, 1993F17 mi200 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 17, 20267 N Saint LiboryNot yet rated
May 17, 20264N Saint LiboryNot yet rated
May 17, 20262 W Saint LiboryNot 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 12, 2026.