McPherson County, South Dakota tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for McPherson County...

27confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1961). Most recent: August 5, 2025, EFU. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 McPherson County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total271950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJuly10 of 27
StrongestF3Jul 31, 1966
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries5whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 1Jun: 6Jul: 10Aug: 7Sep: 3Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 10 of 27 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 13 PM: 5: 2: 36 PM: 8: 4: 39 PM: 1: 0: 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: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 2: 1: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 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.

By rating

EF0
13
EF1
6
EF2
5
EF3
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

F3, July 31, 1966

2 deaths, 4 injuries Strongest

F3, July 31, 1966

26.4 mile path Longest path

49.7 miles, F2

June 28, 1961, whole path Widest

550 yards, F2

July 6, 1962
Every tornado

All 27 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 5, 2025EFU0.01 mi5 yd00
Jul 4, 2020EF22.66 mi150 yd00
Jul 25, 2015EF00.18 mi20 yd00
Jul 25, 2015EF00.09 mi10 yd00
Sep 30, 2014EF00.3 mi10 yd00
May 22, 2010EF218.64 mi200 yd00
Aug 8, 2007EF00.2 mi10 yd00
Aug 24, 2006F314 mi300 yd01
Aug 9, 2006F00.3 mi10 yd00
Jun 26, 2005F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 23, 2002F15 mi500 yd00
Jun 23, 2002F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jul 18, 2001F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 22, 1999F01 mi20 yd00
Aug 3, 1996F00.3 mi10 yd00
Jul 20, 1996F00.3 mi10 yd00
Sep 8, 1991F10.5 mi33 yd00
Jun 6, 1986F00.1 mi13 yd00
Aug 22, 1985F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 1979F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 10, 1977F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 31, 1966F326.4 mi280 yd24
Jul 1, 1966F10.1 mi27 yd00
Aug 10, 1963F12.3 mi160 yd00
Jul 6, 1962F23 mi550 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for McPherson County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.