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La Crosse, WI Tornado History — 58 Tornadoes Since 1950

Wisconsin · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has La Crosse, WI had?

La Crosse has had 58 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near La Crosse?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of La Crosse was an EF1 on June 25, 2025.

When is tornado season in La Crosse?

June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near La Crosse, with 20 on record. April through June account for 34 of the 58 tornadoes on record near La Crosse.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
58
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
3
5.2% of total
Peak Month
June
20 on record
Per Year Avg
0.8
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near La Crosse

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 24 total, averaging 1.2 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 7
2024 0
2023 0
2022 2
2021 3
2020 0
2019 5
2018 0
2017 2
2016 0
2015 0
2014 0
2013 1
2012 0
2011 2
2010 0
2009 0
2008 2
2007 0

What storm spotters reported near La Crosse

4 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of La Crosse and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on June 25, 2025 and the most recent on June 25, 2025. They are already counted in the La Crosse totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.

June 26, 2025
5 E Eitzen, Houston County, MN
TDS on radar and report of tornado on the ground from dispatch. (ARX)
June 25, 2025
2 S Barre Mills, La Crosse County, WI
TDS noted on radar. (ARX)
June 25, 2025
3 S Hokah, Houston County, MN
911 Center reported tornado on the ground south of Hokah. (ARX)
EF0° June 25, 2025
2 N Nodine, Winona County, MN
EF-0. This brief tornado snapped some limbs off trees near Interstate 90 at Nodine Hill. Max wind 70 mph. (ARX)

Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 3
1960s 9
1970s 5
1980s 6
1990s 6
2000s 7
2010s 10
2020s 12

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 22
EF1 27
EF2 6
EF3 3

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 2
Apr 3
May 11
Jun 20
Jul 13
Aug 5
Sep 1
Oct 0
Nov 0
Dec 3

Have any tornadoes near La Crosse been fatal?

No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of La Crosse from any of the 58 tornadoes since 1950, though 13 injuries have been reported, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.

Notable Tornadoes Near La Crosse

Costliest Tornado
EF2 on May 22, 2011 — $15.4M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
F2 on May 8, 1988 — 800 yards wide.
Longest Path
F2 on June 5, 1980 — 70.2 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on June 25, 2025.

What the record shows near La Crosse

The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near La Crosse, with 12 of the 58 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The La Crosse record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near La Crosse, 49 reached EF0 or EF1 and 9 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near La Crosse is rated EF3, of which 3 are logged.

Across the last 20 years La Crosse has averaged 1.2 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 24 in total. 2025 was the busiest of them with 7, and 12 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has La Crosse, WI had?
Since 1950, 58 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of La Crosse. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
When is tornado season in La Crosse?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near La Crosse, with 20 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 La Crosse?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of La Crosse was an EF1 on June 25, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for La Crosse?
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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