Cotton County, Oklahoma tornadoes

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45confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: August 28, 2025, EF0. 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 Cotton County

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The record

At a glance

Total451950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay16 of 45
StrongestF4May 24, 1957
Deaths8whole paths, see note
Injuries20whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 3Apr: 11May: 16Jun: 3Jul: 3Aug: 5Sep: 1Oct: 2Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 16 of 45 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 3: 1: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 2: 0: 33 PM: 3: 9: 86 PM: 7: 2: 49 PM: 1: 0: 012 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

60 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 1: 21960: 3: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 21980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 6: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 1: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 219501960197019801990200020102020

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
23
EF1
10
EF2
5
EF3
4
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, May 24, 1957

4 deaths, 5 injuries Strongest

F4, May 24, 1957

21.6 mile path Longest path

74.1 miles, F2

April 10, 1979, whole path Widest

1,056 yards, F2

April 10, 1979
Every tornado

All 45 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 28, 2025EF00.1 mi10 yd00
May 2, 2025EF00.63 mi30 yd00
Apr 27, 2024EF16.5 mi100 yd00
Jun 15, 2023EF01.2 mi50 yd00
May 2, 2018EF13 mi250 yd00
May 10, 2017EFU2 mi100 yd00
May 9, 2015EF01 mi100 yd00
May 8, 2015EF00.2 mi50 yd00
May 8, 2015EF00.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 24, 2006F16.3 mi200 yd00
Oct 6, 2004F01 mi25 yd00
Apr 23, 2003F02 mi70 yd00
Oct 21, 2000F04 mi30 yd00
Aug 11, 1996F10.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 23, 1995F00.2 mi23 yd00
Jul 23, 1995F00.3 mi30 yd00
Jul 23, 1995F00.4 mi30 yd00
Apr 17, 1995F12 mi100 yd00
Apr 17, 1995F00.1 mi20 yd00
Apr 17, 1995F00.1 mi20 yd00
May 8, 1993F00.8 mi50 yd00
Mar 28, 1988F00.1 mi20 yd00
Mar 22, 1985F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 27, 1983F00.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 2, 1979F00.1 mi10 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.