University City, MO Tornado History — 183 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has University City, MO had?
University City has had 183 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 18 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near University City?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of University City was an EF1 on June 4, 2025.
When is tornado season in University City?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near University City, with 48 on record. April through June account for 115 of the 183 tornadoes on record near University City.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near University City
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 72 total, averaging 3.6 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near University City since December 29, 2025
These are 5 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Video footage reveals that a waterspout... possibly landspout... tornado briefly touched down at Moredock Lake... but caused no damage. (LSX)
Damage photos provided by broadcast media revealed EF-0 tree damage along Warson Woods drive. This aligns well with radar indicated rotation and a video of a very low.. (LSX)
A video from Alton showed the vortex of a waterspout tornado dissipating as it approached the Lincoln Shields Recreation Area. A NWS damage survey was unable to find an (LSX)
*** 1 INJ *** Survey crews confirmed a brief EF-1 tornado that did damage within the communities of Moro and Midway... IL... early this morning along a 1.6 mile path. (LSX)
Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1 W Grafton. Significant roof damage to a local restaurant. Time estimated from radar. (LSX)
Within 25 miles of University City. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near University City
3 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of University City and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on April 20, 2025 and the most recent on June 4, 2025. They are already counted in the University City totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
NWS Storm Survey found that an EF-1 tornado formed just east of Hwy 109 in Wildwood at 2:50pm and tracked northeastward. It dissipated in the Chesterfield Valley just s (LSX)
*** 5 FATAL... 38 INJ *** Storm survey determined an EF3 tornado began near Clayton and tracked northeast through the city of St Louis and continued into Illinois. It d (LSX)
An NWS survey team found EF0 tornado damage near Schwab Road southeast of Millstadt... IL. This tornado briefly touched down and lifted at 8:14pm with a path length of (LSX)
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 University City
45 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of University City since 1950, across 10 events. 834 injuries have been reported across all events. 1959 was the deadliest year on record near University City.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on February 10, 1959, which caused 21 fatalities along a 23.9-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near University City
What the record shows near University City
The 2010s were the busiest decade near University City, with 40 of the 183 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 29 so far. The University City record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near University City, 129 reached EF0 or EF1 and 52 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near University City is rated EF4, of which 5 are logged. A further 2 near University City are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years University City has averaged 3.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 72 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 12, and 3 of those years passed with none at all.