West Des Moines, IA Tornado History — 194 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has West Des Moines, IA had?
West Des Moines has had 194 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 10 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near West Des Moines?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of West Des Moines was an EF1 on July 15, 2024.
When is tornado season in West Des Moines?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near West Des Moines, with 70 on record. April through June account for 143 of the 194 tornadoes on record near West Des Moines.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near West Des Moines
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 73 total, averaging 3.6 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near West Des Moines since December 29, 2025
These are 2 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
Trained spotter reports tornado on the ground. (DMX)
Several reports from local fire department and spotters of tornado on the ground. (DMX)
Within 25 miles of West Des Moines. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near West Des Moines
8 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of West Des Moines since 1950, across 2 events. 177 injuries have been reported across all events. 2022 was the deadliest year on record near West Des Moines.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which caused 6 fatalities along a 70.6-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near West Des Moines
What the record shows near West Des Moines
The 2000s were the busiest decade near West Des Moines, with 43 of the 194 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 28 so far. The West Des Moines record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near West Des Moines, 151 reached EF0 or EF1 and 33 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near West Des Moines is rated EF4, of which 4 are logged. A further 10 near West Des Moines are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years West Des Moines has averaged 3.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 73 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 18, and 4 of those years passed with none at all.