Watertown, WI Tornado History — 132 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Watertown, WI had?
Watertown has had 132 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 8 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Watertown?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Watertown was an EF0 on July 16, 2025.
When is tornado season in Watertown?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Watertown, with 36 on record. April through June account for 63 of the 132 tornadoes on record near Watertown.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Watertown
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 42 total, averaging 2.1 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Watertown 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Radar confirmed tornadic debris signature at this location. Multiple roofs ripped off a commercial facility reported by law enforcement. Siding damage to nearby church. (MKX)
NWS Storm Survey found EF0 tornado damage south of Beaver Dam. A brief tornado with maximum winds of 85 MPH. Attached garage and part of house roof lofted approximately (MKX)
Within 25 miles of Watertown. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Watertown
4 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Watertown and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 15, 2025 and the most recent on July 16, 2025. They are already counted in the Watertown totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
(MKX)
NWS survey crew confirms a brief EF-0 tornado with estimated winds around 65 mph in corn fields and tree lines near Buckhorn Rd and Breezy Point Rd. This tornado starte (MKX)
A NWS storm survey found EF-2 rated damage from a tornado that began southwest of Mayville. This tornado continued to the northeast for approximately 5 miles. Peak wind (MKX)
A NWS storm survey found EF-1 rated damage from a tornado that began west of Lowell. This tornado was on the ground for approximately 6.7 miles... ending just south of (MKX)
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 Watertown
8 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Watertown since 1950, across 5 events. 134 injuries have been reported across all events. 1965 was the deadliest year on record near Watertown.
The deadliest single event was an F2 on April 11, 1965, which caused 3 fatalities along a 14.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Watertown
What the record shows near Watertown
The 1980s were the busiest decade near Watertown, with 30 of the 132 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 25 so far. The Watertown record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Watertown, 101 reached EF0 or EF1 and 31 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Watertown is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Watertown has averaged 2.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 42 in total. 2021 was the busiest of them with 7, and 9 of those years passed with none at all.