Polk County, Wisconsin tornadoes

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35confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: June 18, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports 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 Polk County

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The record

At a glance

Total351950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJuly15 of 35
StrongestF3Jun 23, 1952
Deaths7whole paths, see note
Injuries61whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

150 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 7Jun: 5Jul: 15Aug: 6Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 15 of 35 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 1: 0: 212 PM: 0: 2: 23 PM: 2: 6: 36 PM: 5: 4: 29 PM: 3: 1: 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 22000: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 2: 02010: 3: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 32020: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 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
20
EF1
9
EF2
3
EF3
3

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

F2, May 10, 1953

4 deaths, 27 injuries Strongest

F3, June 23, 1952

18.2 mile path Longest path

105.7 miles, F2

May 10, 1953, whole path Widest

1,320 yards, EF3

May 16, 2017
Every tornado

All 35 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 18, 2024EF14.99 mi100 yd00
May 9, 2022EF00.74 mi50 yd00
Jul 21, 2020EF00.19 mi25 yd00
Jul 28, 2019EF04.78 mi100 yd00
Jul 19, 2019EF113.9 mi600 yd00
Jul 19, 2019EF00.89 mi75 yd00
May 16, 2017EF382.53 mi1,320 yd125
Jun 17, 2015EF00.1 mi25 yd00
May 27, 2012EF00.19 mi25 yd00
Jul 19, 2011EF00.87 mi25 yd00
Aug 7, 2010EF02.77 mi100 yd01
Jul 27, 2010EF13.35 mi50 yd00
Jul 27, 2010EF00.75 mi200 yd00
Jul 11, 2008EF00.1 mi25 yd00
May 25, 2008EF01.25 mi50 yd00
May 26, 2007EF01 mi20 yd00
Jun 11, 2005F02.5 mi50 yd00
Aug 14, 2000F00.2 mi20 yd00
Jul 8, 2000F00.6 mi20 yd00
Jul 9, 1999F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 9, 1999F00.1 min/a00
Aug 27, 1994F10.3 mi200 yd00
Apr 26, 1984F10.5 mi27 yd00
Aug 3, 1981F00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 3, 1981F00.1 mi10 yd00
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.