Lancaster County, Nebraska tornadoes

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58confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: July 1, 2024, EF1. 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 Lancaster County

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The record

At a glance

Total581950 to 2025
Per year0.8average since 1950
Peak monthMay19 of 58
StrongestF4Apr 25, 1957
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries59whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

190 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 3Apr: 9May: 19Jun: 15Jul: 7Aug: 2Sep: 1Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 19 of 58 tornadoes.

By time of day

100 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 2: 43 PM: 10: 6: 76 PM: 4: 9: 49 PM: 7: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 4: 1: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 4: 0: 0: 1: 4: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 2: 32010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 2: 2: 1: 0: 22020: 0: 1: 0: 1: 5: 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
18
EF1
24
EF2
11
EF3
2
EF4
2
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

Deadliest

F4, April 25, 1957

1 deaths, 8 injuries Strongest

F4, April 25, 1957

89.8 mile path Longest path

89.8 miles, F4

April 25, 1957, whole path Widest

4,400 yards, F4

May 22, 2004
Every tornado

All 58 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 1, 2024EF12.28 mi300 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF13.83 mi50 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF01.9 mi50 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF12.96 mi150 yd00
Apr 26, 2024EF35.25 mi700 yd03
Jul 29, 2023EF10.28 mi100 yd00
Dec 15, 2021EF223.74 mi70 yd00
May 5, 2019EF20.55 mi200 yd00
May 5, 2019EFU0.02 mi50 yd00
Jun 16, 2017EF00.5 mi20 yd00
May 9, 2016EF10.19 mi50 yd00
May 9, 2016EF10.53 mi50 yd00
May 6, 2015EF17.67 mi500 yd00
May 3, 2015EF00.3 mi100 yd00
May 11, 2014EF15.27 mi280 yd00
May 11, 2014EF22.5 mi300 yd00
May 11, 2014EF13 mi400 yd00
Oct 3, 2013EF211.19 mi300 yd00
Mar 23, 2009EF110.82 mi50 yd05
Mar 23, 2009EF21.6 mi50 yd00
Mar 23, 2009EF12.42 mi50 yd00
Jul 8, 2008EF00.05 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 2008EF00.1 mi40 yd00
Jun 13, 2004F00.2 mi100 yd00
Jun 13, 2004F02 mi240 yd00
Cities

Cities in Lancaster County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

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.