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Wisconsin Rapids, WI Tornado History — 52 Tornadoes Since 1950

Wisconsin · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Wisconsin Rapids, WI had?

Wisconsin Rapids has had 52 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Wisconsin Rapids?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Wisconsin Rapids was an EF0 on May 15, 2025.

When is tornado season in Wisconsin Rapids?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Wisconsin Rapids, with 11 on record. April through June account for 29 of the 52 tornadoes on record near Wisconsin Rapids.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
52
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
2
3.8% of total
Peak Month
July
11 on record
Per Year Avg
0.7
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Wisconsin Rapids

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 11 total, averaging 0.6 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 1
2024 0
2023 0
2022 0
2021 0
2020 0
2019 1
2018 0
2017 1
2016 0
2015 0
2014 0
2013 1
2012 0
2011 4
2010 1
2009 0
2008 1
2007 1

What storm spotters reported near Wisconsin Rapids

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Wisconsin Rapids and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 15, 2025 and the most recent on May 15, 2025. It is already counted in the Wisconsin Rapids totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.

May 15, 2025
2 N Keene, Portage County, WI
turning north onto County Hwy J... from Hwy 54... I noticed a large funnel cloud with a small column reaching towards the ground. (GRB)

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 3
1960s 8
1970s 11
1980s 8
1990s 8
2000s 5
2010s 8
2020s 1

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 19
EF1 16
EF2 15
EF3 1
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 1
Apr 9
May 10
Jun 10
Jul 11
Aug 7
Sep 1
Oct 1
Nov 0
Dec 2

Casualties on Record Near Wisconsin Rapids

5 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Wisconsin Rapids since 1950, across 3 events. 70 injuries have been reported across all events. 1994 was the deadliest year on record near Wisconsin Rapids.

The deadliest single event was an F3 on August 27, 1994, which caused 2 fatalities along a 10.5-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Wisconsin Rapids

Deadliest Tornado
F3 on August 27, 1994 — 2 fatalities, 10.5 mi path, 850 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F2 on August 12, 1985 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F2 on August 12, 1985 — 880 yards wide.
Longest Path
EF2 on May 22, 2011 — 64.5 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on May 15, 2025.

What the record shows near Wisconsin Rapids

The 1970s were the busiest decade near Wisconsin Rapids, with 11 of the 52 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 1 so far. The Wisconsin Rapids record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Wisconsin Rapids, 35 reached EF0 or EF1 and 17 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Wisconsin Rapids is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Wisconsin Rapids has averaged 0.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 11 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 4, and 12 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Wisconsin Rapids, WI had?
Since 1950, 52 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Wisconsin Rapids. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Wisconsin Rapids?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Wisconsin Rapids was an F3 on August 27, 1994, which caused 2 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Wisconsin Rapids?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Wisconsin Rapids, with 11 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.
Has Wisconsin Rapids been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Wisconsin Rapids, there has been 0 EF5 and 1 EF4 tornado recorded since 1950. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are the most destructive ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds above 166 mph.
When was the most recent tornado near Wisconsin Rapids?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Wisconsin Rapids was an EF0 on May 15, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Wisconsin Rapids?
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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