From May 20–22, 1949, a large-scale tornado outbreak affected portions of the continental United States, killing several dozen people and injuring hundreds more. Generating at least 66 tornadoes, the severe weather event produced 51 or more significant—F2 or stronger—tornadoes, half a dozen of which were retroactively rated F4 by tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis. One of the largest on record prior to the start of official data in 1950, the outbreak included many tornado families and unrecorded or weak tornadoes, so its actual total was likely considerably higher than noted here. Newspaper headlines mentioned an "army" of tornadoes in Kansas on May 20. More than 100 tornadoes in all, mainly weak, may have formed over the Great Plains that day; Grazulis was able to find 40 just in Kansas "with little effort".
Outbreak statistics + Daily statistics of tornadoes during the tornado outbreak sequence of May 20–22, 1949 DateTotalF-scale ratingDeathsInjuriesDamage FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 May 20369??17910457May 21244??1145052491May 2262??4000110 Total6615??32136057558
Confirmed tornadoes
Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991. 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments. Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.
May 20 event + Confirmed tornadoes – Friday, May 20, 1949F#LocationCounty / ParishStateTime (UTC)Path lengthWidthDamage F3Beecher Island (CO) to near Haigler (NE)Yuma (CO), Cheyenne (KS), Dundy (NE)Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska19:15–?This and the following tornado family successively paralleled each other. The first event destroyed many barns and a pair of homes. A truck was hit, forcing its drivers to shelter beneath, and a barn in transit blown away "like paper". One person was injured. F3S of Wray (CO) to W of Benkelman (NE)Yuma (CO), Cheyenne (KS), Dundy (NE)Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska21:30–?Forming over Black Wolf Canyon, this event struck four farmsteads in Colorado, wrecking 12 structures and splintering 150 utility poles. Crossing into Kansas and Nebraska, the tornado family destroyed many barns, hitting at least six farms. One injury occurred. F3E of Bird CityCheyenneKansas21:30–?This tornado leveled all but a corner of a farmhouse. A few injuries occurred. F2N of McDonaldRawlinsKansas21:30–?Barns were wrecked. FURawlinsKansas21:30–22:30This was one of four narrow, weak tornadoes to hit the county. FURawlinsKansas21:30–22:30This was one of four narrow, weak tornadoes to hit the county. FURawlinsKansas21:30–22:30This was one of four narrow, weak tornadoes to hit the county. FURawlinsKansas21:30–22:30This was one of four narrow, weak tornadoes to hit the county. F2W of OberlinDecaturKansas22:15–?This tornado struck six farmsteads, wrecking structures. F3S of Scott City to HealyScott, LaneKansas22:15–?This tornado unroofed three or more farmhouses and destroyed outbuildings or barns on nine farmsteads. 12 homes were badly damaged at Healy, one of which was destroyed. F2SW to SE of LipscombLipscombTexas22:54–?This tornado unroofed a combined store and post office. A barn and home were wrecked as well. F3SSE of Healy to NW of ShieldsLaneKansas23:00–?This tornado hit five farmsteads, destroying and scattering a farmhouse. F2Near GoinClaiborneTennessee23:00–?This tornado destroyed three barns and five homes along Barren Creek. Three people were injured. F2N of Copeland to western RozelGray, Ford, Hodgeman, PawneeKansas23:30–?A family of at least eight tornadoes, this event produced sporadic damage. 70 homes received damage at Rozel, and rural farmhouses lost their roofs. "Hundreds" of animals died in the path, and four people were injured. The tornado also tracked near Hanston and Howell. Many funnel clouds were observed, four near Dodge City. F2Balko to southern BeaverBeaverOklahoma23:30–?1 death – This was a family of at least three tornadoes. A farmhouse was wrecked, and other homes were unroofed. F2Lipscomb (TX) to N of Woodward (OK)Lipscomb (TX), Ellis (OK), Woodward (OK)Texas, Oklahoma00:15–?This tornado family first unroofed a store and other structures in Texas. Entering Oklahoma, it damaged a hangar and aircraft at Gage Airport. Farms were extensively damaged in the Tangier–Shattuck area, and barns were wrecked near Fargo. Most of the damage was to Woodward Army Air Field, now West Woodward Airport, where a few large warehouses and 11 aircraft were torn apart, resulting in three injuries. F2SW of Coldwater to WilmoreComancheKansas01:30–?A large tornado damaged "the entire town" of Wilmore. F3Near CatesbyEllisOklahoma01:30–?1 death – This tornado leveled a farmstead. The dead, a woman, was carried and her husband injured. F2SE of LincolnLincolnKansas01:45–?This tornado wrecked windmills, small outbuildings, and a home. Trees were downed and snapped as well. F2Yewed to ENE of NashAlfalfa, GrantOklahoma01:45–?1 death – This was either a family of tornadoes or two unrelated events. Businesses and homes were destroyed at Nash. The tornado felled a grain elevator, fatally crushing a man below. 27 injuries occurred. F2E of WoodwardWoodwardOklahoma02:00–?This tornado tore the roof off a home and wrecked a barn. F4SW of Gypsum to NE of SolomonSaline, DickinsonKansas02:00–02:301 death – This tornado only hit a few farms, obliterating a farmhouse. A railroad bridge was partly wrecked as well. The tornado killed a motorist whose automobile was lofted . Businesses and homes in Solomon received F2 damage. Five injuries occurred. F3Near Hope to N of Junction CityDickinson, GearyKansas02:15–?Barns were shattered and one or two homes destroyed. About six other homes were shorn of their roofs. The tornado killed 5,000 chickens as well, blew away sheds, and downed power lines. F2SW to NE of MoorelandWoodwardOklahoma02:30–?This tornado, part of the Lipscomb–Gage family, unroofed four homes and wrecked a filling station. F2SE of Hammon to N of ThomasCusterOklahoma02:30–?This tornado wrecked many barns and five farmhouses, shifting several of the latter on their foundations. 13 of 14 cattle were carried aloft , audible in midair, but uninjured. Downbursts damaged 25 homes in Thomas. Three people were injured. F2W of ViciEllisOklahoma02:30–?This tornado unroofed and destroyed four homes. F2Belva to E of WaynokaWoodward, WoodsOklahoma02:45–?This event, related to the Mooreland F2, may have been two or three tornadoes. Barns were destroyed on two or more farmsteads. F2ChaseRiceKansas02:45–?This tornado damaged eight homes, unroofed one, and destroyed another. Four injuries occurred. F3W of Waynoka to near HopetonWoodward, WoodsOklahoma03:00–?This tornado struck nine farms, obliterating three of them. One farm lost 40 head of cattle. Two vehicles—a pickup truck and a car—were carried . F2SE of Watonga to S of Loyal to near DoverBlaine, KingfisherOklahoma03:00–?This tornado, part of a family, destroyed or damaged structures on 20 farmsteads, leveling an incomplete home. FUSW of WellingtonSumnerKansas03:00–?Rural barns and farmhouses were damaged. F3NW of Emporia to Allen to E of EskridgeLyon, WabaunseeKansas03:45–?This intense, nocturnal tornado struck 29 farms and caused F3 damage to homes at two locations. Sheds, barns, and utility poles were wrecked. Three people were injured. FUE of Hopeton (1st tornado)WoodsOklahomaThis and the following tornado were related to the Waynoka F3. FUE of Hopeton (2nd tornado)WoodsOklahomaThis and the preceding tornado were related to the Waynoka F3. FUS to E of StillwaterPayneOklahomaFarmhouses were badly damaged. FUE of SalamoniaJayIndianaDetails are unavailable.
May 21 event