Quay County, New Mexico tornadoes

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41confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: June 5, 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 Quay County

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The record

At a glance

Total411950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJune16 of 41
StrongestF2Jun 3, 1961
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 Quay County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 2May: 11Jun: 16Jul: 7Aug: 3Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 16 of 41 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 1: 1: 23 PM: 3: 6: 76 PM: 8: 5: 29 PM: 3: 2: 012 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

20 1950: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 11960: 0: 2: 0: 1: 2: 2: 1: 0: 1: 01970: 2: 1: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 21990: 0: 0: 2: 0: 2: 2: 1: 0: 1: 12000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 2: 0: 1: 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
21
EF1
14
EF2
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

F2, June 3, 1961

4.3 mile path Longest path

39.8 miles, F2

April 17, 1970, whole path Widest

500 yards, F1

July 11, 1950
Every tornado

All 41 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 5, 2023EFU0.22 mi30 yd00
May 30, 2021EF00.47 mi50 yd00
May 17, 2021EF02.67 mi60 yd00
Jul 9, 2008EF00.31 mi30 yd00
Mar 23, 2007EF12.67 mi200 yd012
Aug 14, 2004F00.1 mi50 yd00
May 30, 2001F00.1 mi40 yd00
May 25, 1999F00.1 mi50 yd00
Aug 4, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
May 30, 1996F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 2, 1995F111 mi150 yd00
Jun 2, 1995F00.1 mi23 yd00
Jul 13, 1994F00.2 mi23 yd00
Jun 28, 1994F02 mi50 yd00
Jun 27, 1992F15 mi50 yd01
Jun 20, 1992F00.5 mi13 yd00
May 16, 1989F010 mi50 yd00
May 15, 1989F110 mi50 yd00
Jun 13, 1988F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 24, 1987F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 30, 1981F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 6, 1981F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 15, 1979F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 24, 1974F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 17, 1972F13.8 mi10 yd01
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.