Buffalo County, Wisconsin tornadoes

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20confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: April 28, 2025, EF1. 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 Buffalo County

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The record

At a glance

Total201950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay8 of 20
StrongestF4May 10, 1953
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries37whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 1May: 8Jun: 5Jul: 3Aug: 0Sep: 1Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 8 of 20 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 03 PM: 1: 4: 76 PM: 2: 2: 49 PM: 0: 0: 012 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 12000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
5
EF1
11
EF2
2
EF3
1
EF4
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 10, 1953

2 deaths, 24 injuries Strongest

F4, May 10, 1953

162 mile path Longest path

162 miles, F4

May 10, 1953, whole path Widest

800 yards, F2

May 17, 1982
Every tornado

All 20 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 28, 2025EF15.56 mi50 yd00
May 21, 2024EF12.69 mi45 yd00
May 21, 2024EF13.9 mi100 yd00
May 21, 2024EF119.74 mi110 yd00
Jul 5, 2016EF10.45 mi100 yd00
Jul 5, 2016EF10.74 mi100 yd00
Jun 17, 2010EF12.28 mi25 yd00
Jun 11, 2001F01.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 8, 1999F110 mi120 yd03
May 15, 1998F38 mi60 yd06
Mar 29, 1998F04 mi50 yd00
Oct 8, 1992F00.5 mi50 yd00
Sep 9, 1990F130 mi30 yd01
Jun 17, 1984F01 mi27 yd00
May 17, 1982F226 mi800 yd03
Jun 20, 1964F11 mi10 yd00
May 23, 1964F10.5 mi100 yd00
Jun 28, 1960F212.2 mi67 yd00
May 5, 1959F00.3 mi150 yd00
May 10, 1953F4162 mi100 yd224
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 17, 2026CreamNot 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 13, 2026.