Rolla, MO Tornado History — 78 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Rolla, MO had?
Rolla has had 78 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 5 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Rolla?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Rolla was an EF0 on May 19, 2025.
When is tornado season in Rolla?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Rolla, with 17 on record. April through June account for 44 of the 78 tornadoes on record near Rolla.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Rolla
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 32 total, averaging 1.6 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Rolla 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Drone video from storm chaser shows brief condensation funnel in contact with ground beneath rapidly rotating bowl funnel extending from storm base at this approximate (LSX)
An EF0 tornado with peak winds of 80 to 85 mph began along Homelife Plaza in Rolla and travelled south before lifting near Soest Road. Tree and building debris was layi (SGF)
Within 25 miles of Rolla. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Rolla
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Rolla and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 19, 2025 and the most recent on May 19, 2025. It is already counted in the Rolla totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
NWS storm survey confirmed a tornado damaged or destroyed outbuildings... downed power lines and uprooted trees. Max winds were 85 MPH and width was 75 yards wide. (SGF)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
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 Rolla
4 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Rolla since 1950, across 2 events. 49 injuries have been reported across all events. 2010 was the deadliest year on record near Rolla.
The deadliest single event was an EF3 on December 31, 2010, which caused 2 fatalities along a 11.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Rolla
What the record shows near Rolla
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Rolla, with 15 of the 78 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 11 so far. The Rolla record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Rolla, 56 reached EF0 or EF1 and 22 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Rolla is rated EF3, of which 5 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Rolla has averaged 1.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 32 in total. 2010 was the busiest of them with 5, and 7 of those years passed with none at all.