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Hays, KS Tornado History — 155 Tornadoes Since 1950

Kansas · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Hays, KS had?

Hays has had 155 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 8 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Hays?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Hays was an EF1 on May 19, 2024.

When is tornado season in Hays?

May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Hays, with 70 on record. April through June account for 115 of the 155 tornadoes on record near Hays.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
155
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
8
5.2% of total
Peak Month
May
70 on record
Per Year Avg
2.0
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Hays

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 51 total, averaging 2.5 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 0
2024 1
2023 0
2022 0
2021 2
2020 0
2019 1
2018 0
2017 0
2016 3
2015 5
2014 1
2013 6
2012 13
2011 1
2010 1
2009 0
2008 15
2007 2

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 14
1960s 10
1970s 20
1980s 11
1990s 14
2000s 52
2010s 31
2020s 3

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.

EF0 73
EF1 48
EF2 24
EF3 8
Unrated 2

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 2
Apr 27
May 70
Jun 18
Jul 11
Aug 14
Sep 4
Oct 8
Nov 1
Dec 0

Have any tornadoes near Hays been fatal?

No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Hays from any of the 155 tornadoes since 1950, though 15 injuries have been reported, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.

Notable Tornadoes Near Hays

Costliest Tornado
F1 on April 25, 1990 — est. ~$2.8M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
EF2 on May 23, 2008 — 1,760 yards wide.
Longest Path
F3 on May 13, 1968 — 140.4 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on May 19, 2024.

What the record shows near Hays

The 2000s were the busiest decade near Hays, with 52 of the 155 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 3 so far. The Hays record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Hays, 121 reached EF0 or EF1 and 32 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Hays is rated EF3, of which 8 are logged. A further 2 near Hays are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.

Across the last 20 years Hays has averaged 2.5 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 51 in total. 2008 was the busiest of them with 15, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Hays, KS had?
Since 1950, 155 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Hays. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
When is tornado season in Hays?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Hays, with 70 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
When was the most recent tornado near Hays?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Hays was an EF1 on May 19, 2024.
How do I get tornado warnings for Hays?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

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