National Weather ServiceKansasTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in Kansas
The National Weather Service issued 15 tornado watches for Kansas in 2025 and 22 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 13th most of any state. 2026 through September: 32, 57% above the average of 20 for those months in 2008-2025. Cowley was covered most often (106 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does Kansas get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of Kansas. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 32 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2015 | 25 |
| 2014 | 21 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2011 | 30 |
| 2010 | 28 |
| 2009 | 41 |
| 2008 | 51 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Kansas get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Kansas?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowley | 106 | 21 | June 25, 2026 |
| Chautauqua | 103 | 24 | May 18, 2026 |
| Elk | 98 | 22 | May 18, 2026 |
| Montgomery | 96 | 22 | May 18, 2026 |
| Sumner | 95 | 18 | June 25, 2026 |
| Harper | 92 | 18 | June 25, 2026 |
| Labette | 92 | 20 | April 27, 2026 |
| Cherokee | 90 | 24 | April 26, 2026 |
| Wilson | 90 | 22 | May 18, 2026 |
| Greenwood | 88 | 17 | May 18, 2026 |
| Neosho | 87 | 20 | April 27, 2026 |
| Barber | 86 | 14 | June 25, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Kansas.