Ward County, Texas tornadoes

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16 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1960). Most recent: March 13, 2020, EF1. 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

Total161950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthApril7 of 16
StrongestF3Apr 19, 1977
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 Ward County.

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 7May: 4Jun: 0Jul: 0Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 7 of 16 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 2: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 3: 1: 03 PM: 0: 5: 16 PM: 2: 1: 09 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

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 5: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 1: 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
11
EF1
2
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 19, 1977

4.3 mile path Longest path

11 miles, F2

May 25, 1987, whole path Widest

250 yards, F0

March 22, 2000

All 16 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 13, 2020EF10.47 mi20 yd00
Apr 22, 2006F00.1 mi30 yd00
Mar 22, 2000F01 mi250 yd00
Apr 15, 1992F00.3 mi20 yd00
Apr 15, 1992F00.2 mi30 yd00
May 25, 1987F211 mi100 yd00
May 25, 1987F01 mi40 yd00
Oct 1, 1986F00.2 mi30 yd00
Aug 24, 1977F00.3 mi20 yd00
Apr 19, 1977F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 19, 1977F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 19, 1977F34.3 mi200 yd018
Apr 14, 1977F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 17, 1974F11.5 mi150 yd00
Sep 19, 1961F20.1 mi10 yd00
May 31, 1960F00.1 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.