Karnes County, Texas tornadoes

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22 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: March 20, 2012, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total221950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay5 of 22
StrongestF3Apr 25, 1966
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries3whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 1May: 5Jun: 0Jul: 1Aug: 2Sep: 4Oct: 4Nov: 3Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 5 of 22 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 1: 0: 13 AM: 1: 1: 16 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 2: 1: 012 PM: 2: 1: 03 PM: 3: 2: 36 PM: 0: 1: 09 PM: 1: 0: 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 11960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 1: 4: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 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.

By rating

EF0
12
EF1
7
EF2
2
EF3
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.

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, April 25, 1966

0.1 mile path Longest path

8.9 miles, F2

May 8, 1967, whole path Widest

880 yards, F2

October 15, 1960

All 22 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 20, 2012EF00.25 mi30 yd00
Nov 23, 2004F00.1 mi20 yd00
Nov 15, 2001F12.5 mi200 yd00
Nov 15, 2001F00.1 mi20 yd00
Oct 16, 1994F00.1 mi30 yd00
Sep 17, 1988F00.2 mi10 yd00
Aug 30, 1981F00.3 mi37 yd00
Aug 9, 1980F11 mi37 yd00
May 8, 1975F00.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 21, 1967F10.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 20, 1967F10.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 18, 1967F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 8, 1967F28.9 mi440 yd00
Apr 25, 1966F30.1 mi100 yd03
Oct 18, 1965F10.2 mi17 yd00
Oct 18, 1965F10.2 mi17 yd00
May 18, 1965F01.5 mi10 yd00
Oct 15, 1960F22 mi880 yd00
Jul 27, 1959F14 mi83 yd00
May 3, 1958F00.1 mi440 yd00
Mar 11, 1957F01 mi33 yd00
May 18, 1955F00.1 mi10 yd00

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 12, 2026.