June Tornadoes
June averages 240 US tornadoes - the third-highest month. Peak activity shifts north from Great Plains into Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
June Tornado Statistics
- Average tornadoes: ~240/month
- Average deaths: ~15/month
- Peak states: Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota
- Notable outbreaks: Rare - June tends toward isolated supercells rather than large-scale outbreaks
Why June Shifts North
By June, the atmospheric setup that produced spring tornadoes in the Great Plains has shifted:
- Southern jet stream retreats poleward
- Northern states heat up rapidly
- Gulf moisture reaches deeper into the northern US
- Southern Plains become too capped (upper-level warm air) for widespread supercells
The result: tornado activity in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas drops, while activity in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and even Manitoba (Canada) surges.
Notable June Tornado Events
- Parkersburg, IA (June 25, 2008) - EF5, 9 killed. Wait, this was May 25 - Iowa's June events include the Charles City-Oelwein double F5 on June 12, 1968.
- Charles City-Oelwein, IA (June 15, 1968) - two F5 tornadoes in one afternoon in Iowa
- Beecher-Flint, MI (June 8, 1953) - F5, 116 killed. Full story →
- New Richmond, WI (June 12, 1899) - F5-caliber, 117 killed at a circus. Full story →
- Topeka, KS (June 8, 1966) - F5, costliest of its era. Full story →
- Grand Island, NE (June 3, 1980) - Night of the Twisters. Full story →
- Fargo, ND (June 20, 1957) - F5, inspired Fujita's research. Full story →
Storm Chasing in June
June is one of the most productive months for storm chasers. Northern Plains supercells often develop over relatively flat terrain with excellent visibility. Photogenic tornadoes are common. Many chasers plan multi-week June trips to the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Iowa.
Notable chase targets in June:
- Central and eastern Nebraska
- Southern South Dakota
- Southwest Minnesota
- Southern Iowa
Preparing for June
- Continue tornado preparedness practices established in April-May
- Northern residents: pay attention to warnings - your peak season is now
- Southeastern residents: peak has passed for spring but watch for July hurricane-spawned events
- Keep NOAA weather radio active
June's Notable Firsts
- First EF-scale tornado above 45°N latitude - occurred in Manitoba in June
- Ted Fujita's first major research event - the June 20, 1957 Fargo F5
- Grand Island multi-tornado outbreak - June 3, 1980, inspired "Night of the Twisters"
Try the interactive simulator
Place an EF0–EF5 tornado anywhere in the world and see modeled fatalities, structural damage, and economic loss based on real census data.
Launch simulator →Try the interactive simulator
Place an EF0–EF5 tornado anywhere in the world and see modeled fatalities, structural damage, and economic loss based on real census data.
Launch simulator →