A long-lived, destructive tornado outbreak sequence caused widespread impacts across the entire United States between May 14-31, 1962. 188 tornadoes were recorded during this timeframe and even more tornadoes occurred in the days following the outbreak sequence. It was part of a period between May 14 and June 25 where at least one tornado touched down every day.
Confirmed tornadoes
May 14 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, May 14, 1962F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStartTime (UTC)Path length widthSummary F1GardenaLos AngelesCA20:00–?A small tornado touched down twice, demolishing two commercial buildings, partially unroofing an industrial plant, and causing minor damage to a nursery. There was $25,000 in damage. F1S of Dix (1st tornado)KimballNE22:00–?Tornadoes were spotted in an open area before they rapidly dissipated, causing no damage. F1S of Dix (2nd tornado)KimballNE22:00–?Tornadoes were spotted in an open area before they rapidly dissipated, causing no damage. F1HaiglerDundyNE22:00–?Several farmsites were destroyed, although no monetary damage value was given. The track was probably longer than what is officially documented. F3NW of Springview, NE to Burton, NE to Mills, NE to Bonesteel, SDKeya Paha (NE), Boyd (NE), Gregory (SD)NE, SD23:00–?See section on this tornado – Eight (possibly nine) people were injured and damage was estimated at $250,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F4. F2Hemingford to Chadron State ParkBox Butte, DawesNE23:30–?Large tornado skipped north-northeast at , destroying farm sites and power lines. Barns and other farm buildings were destroyed and a truck was thrown a considerable distance. Losses totaled $25,000. F1ENE of GeddesCharles MixSD00:00–?One person was injured by this brief tornado, although no monetary damage value was given. This tornado may have been a continuation of the long-tracked Bonesteel F3 tornado. F3S of Corsica to Mitchell to Huron to E of BroadlandDouglas, Davison, Sanborn, BeadleSD00:30–?See section on this tornado – Two people were injured. F1S of Hershey (1st tornado)LincolnNE00:30–?First of four tornadoes that were on the ground moving eastward at around the same time along a southwest to northeast line. Some power lines, silos, irrigation systems, and barns were damaged or destroyed and some livestock was lost. No damage value was given. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2. F1S of Hershey (2nd tornado)LincolnNE00:30–?Second of four tornadoes that were on the ground moving eastward at around the same time along a southwest to northeast line. Some power lines and farm sites were damaged and some livestock was lost. No damage value was given. F1ENE of Gandy (1st tornado)LoganNE00:30–?Third of four tornadoes that were on the ground moving eastward at around the same time along a southwest to northeast line. Some power lines and farm sites were damaged and some livestock was lost. No damage value was given. F1ENE of Gandy (2nd tornado)LoganNE00:30–?Fourth of four tornadoes that were on the ground moving eastward at around the same time along a southwest to northeast line. Some power lines and farm sites were damaged and some livestock was lost. No damage value was given.
May 15 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, May 15, 1962F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStartTime (UTC)Path length widthSummary F3SSE of GregoryGregorySD21:00–?No monetary damage value was given. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. F2BrownleeCherryNE23:00–?A tornado was observed destroying all but the home of a ranch. There was $25,000 in damage. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. F1WallaceMarlboroSC23:10–23:15A "small yellowish funnel" struck a clothing factory, knocking down a brick wall. Two people were injured and losses totaled $25,000. F2RoswellMinerSD00:30–?Strong tornado moved north-northwestward through Roswell. The tornado destroyed a service station, several barns, a trailer, and a home. Two people were injured, but no damage value was given. Grazulis classified the tornado as a near-F4.
May 16 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, May 16, 1962F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStartTime (UTC)Path length widthSummary F0WSW of RamonLincolnNM17:00–?A passing motorists observed this tornado moving east-northeast over open country. There was no damage. F0S of WheelerCheyenneKS21:00–?A tornado touched down for a few minutes along the Sherman-Cheyenne County line near K-27. There was no damage. F2E of CarthageMinerSD21:00–?No monetary damage was given. The tornado may have been closer to Madison than Carthage. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. F0W of MelroseCurryNM22:00–?An unconfirmed tornado embedded within heavy rain and hail was later verified and put into the database. A transmitter tower was twisted counter-clockwise of its base, causing $2,500 in damage. Fruit trees and crops were also damaged by the accompanying hail and heavy rain. F3BonesteelGregorySD22:00–?Two people were injured, but no monetary damage value was given. Storm Data puts this tornado near Howard without listing any casualties. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. F1E of HugotonStevensKS00:45–01:00A tornado moving due north halfway between Hugoton and Woods tore down 10-15 utility poles. There was $250 in damage. F1S of De SmetKingsburySD00:45–?No monetary damage value was given. F1SW of South ShoreGrantSD00:45–?No monetary damage value was given for this tornado.
May 17 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, May 17, 1962F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStartTime (UTC)Path length widthSummary F0N of Boise CityCimarronOK20:22–?A cooperative weather observer reported a funnel north of Boise City that moved north-northeast. This tornado may have been the same one that hit Stonington, Colorado. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2. F2PecosReevesTX20:30–?The first of two tornadoes to strike the Pecos area, this strong and destructive tornado touched down southeast of town before moving north-northeastward and striking areas on the east side. It first hit the brand new, 3-month-old Calvary Baptist Church, which had its steeple ripped off, parts of its roof blown off and caved in, and a wall crumble, causing an estimated $20,000 in damage. A radio tower was blown over, a smoke stack at a Pecos Laundry was bent over, and an abandoned bottling plant partially collapsed. Several roofs were blown off, hundreds of windows were blown out, sheds were destroyed, signs were blown off, numerous power poles and lines were blown down, and numerous trees were down on the streets and on homes. Northeast of town, four to five buildings on a farm along the Balmorhea Highway were damaged, mostly due to the tornado tossing cinder blocks through a cinder block wall while an additional block was blown through a car window. Three people were injured at this location. Losses totaled $250,000. The tornado, which came from one of four funnel clouds spotted near town with another tornado touching down south of town, was not immediately confirmed to have gone through the city and tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis did not list the event as an F2 or stronger. In addition to the tornado, "snowball" hail smashed 256 windows at an elementary school while of heavy rain fell in 15 minutes, flooding the streets. F0S of PecosReevesTX20:30–?Second of two tornadoes to strike the Pecos area. News reports indicated that a tornado was sighted from Pecos. There was no damage. F1NW of Sturgis, OK to StoningtonBacaCO21:30–?Several farms were damaged in scattered areas of Baca County, including in the vicinity of Walsh. The tornado destroyed barns on three or more farms. Damages were estimated at $250. This tornado may have been a continuation to the earlier Boise City, Oklahoma tornado. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2. F0W of OberlinDecaturKS22:30–?Brief tornado moving northeast caused no damage, although attendant winds did do some damage. F1S of Mt. Dora to NW of ClaytonUnionNM22:30–?This destructive tornado seriously damaged or obliterated numerous small buildings and corral fences. Many power and telephone lines were downed. On one farm, a house lost its roof, which was thrown , and one of the rooms, which was lifted off its foundation. A piece of window glass was blown across the living room and through a closed door before embedding itself into the baseboard of an adjoining room. The home owner only received minor cuts from broken glass and was not listed as an injury. A chicken house and garage on the property was also destroyed while a well house was picked up and thrown on top of the car that was in the garage. Large trees were twisted off about above the ground. There was significant damage on other farms and ranches as well, including one that saw extensive damage along with its garage being picked up and destroyed. In Mt. Dora itself, the Colorado and Southern Railroad water tower and the frame building at the Depot were destroyed. Damage from this tornado totaled $25,000. F0Mt. DoraUnionNM22:30–?This was probably a satellite tornado to the stronger F1 tornado listed above. Damage from this tornado totaled $250. F0E of Deer LodgePowellMT00:00–?A Northwest Airlines pilot reported a tornado over open country east of Deer Lodge. No damage occurred. F1SE of HoldregePhelpsNE00:30–?Brief tornado moved northeast, causing no damage.<ref name="StormData" / F2NNW of Roy to E of MillsHardingNM01:00–?At least three different funnel clouds were observed in the area where this strong tornado, which was accompanied by hail and heavy rain, occurred. Numerous small farm buildings and barns were destroyed. One person was injured and losses totaled $25,000. The tornado occurred at an elevation of . F0NE of Goodland (1st tornado)ShermanKS01:35–?Two tornadoes, one much larger than the other, touched down over open country, causing no damage. F0NE of Goodland (2nd tornado)ShermanKS01:35–?Two tornadoes, one much larger than the other, touched down over open country, causing no damage. F0E of McLeanPierceNE03:20–?Brief tornado moved north, causing no damage. F2SyracuseHamiltonKS04:05–?Intermittent but strong tornado touched down along the Arkansas River about west of Syracuse and moved northeast before dissipating north of town. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger. F1E of UticaYanktonSD05:30–?Buildings on several farms were damaged, with losses totaling $25,000.
May 18 event