McCook County, South Dakota tornadoes

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44confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: May 30, 2022, EFU. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 McCook County

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The record

At a glance

Total441950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthJune20 of 44
StrongestF4May 30, 1998
Deaths6whole paths, see note
Injuries152whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

200 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 17Jun: 20Jul: 3Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 20 of 44 tornadoes.

By time of day

90 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 1: 73 PM: 3: 1: 96 PM: 3: 5: 59 PM: 5: 1: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

60 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 6: 0: 1: 0: 11970: 1: 2: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 2: 5: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 12000: 2: 4: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 1: 0: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
18
EF1
13
EF2
8
EF3
3
EF4
1
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 30, 1998

6 deaths, 150 injuries Strongest

F4, May 30, 1998

14 mile path Longest path

34.3 miles, F2

August 8, 1969, whole path Widest

1,150 yards, F4

May 30, 1998
Every tornado

All 44 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 30, 2022EFU0.83 mi25 yd00
Jun 24, 2009EF00.33 mi50 yd00
May 5, 2007EF210.5 mi400 yd00
Sep 16, 2006F212 mi100 yd00
Jun 12, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 12, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 9, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 9, 2001F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 11, 2000F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 11, 2000F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jun 7, 1999F00.1 mi50 yd00
May 30, 1998F11 mi100 yd00
May 30, 1998F26 mi700 yd00
May 30, 1998F414 mi1,150 yd6150
Jun 7, 1993F35 mi250 yd00
Jun 7, 1993F12 mi100 yd00
Jun 7, 1993F15 mi100 yd00
May 7, 1993F310 mi100 yd00
May 7, 1993F21 mi73 yd00
Jun 16, 1992F10.5 mi30 yd00
Jun 16, 1992F10.5 mi30 yd00
May 11, 1985F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 11, 1985F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 28, 1984F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 28, 1984F011 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 31, 20261 NW BridgewaterNot 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 14, 2026.