Norton storm history
Storm events recorded in Norton, Kansas between 1950 and 2025.
795
Total events
30
Tornadoes
352
Hail
15
Floods
1
Deaths
$40.9M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
Tornado EF3 Tornado
Storm survey team located a four-mile track of significant damage along and just south of Road S from Road 6 to Road 10. Major damage occurred to a grove of large cottonwood trees. Nearby, a farmstead received damage to outbuildings, utility poles, with the south-facing wall of t…
A strong tornado developed just northeast of Almena and traveled roughly along Highway 383 to the Phillips county line near roads E and 14. (The tornado continued northeast for several miles into Phillips county before dissipating). One residence was completely destroyed, but a m…
Tornado F3 Tornado
A large tornado dropped down just east of the town of Norton and stayed on the ground for approximately 10 miles before finally lifting north-northeast of the town of Almena. This Tornado reached around 3/4 of a mile wide at times and did major (F3) damage to a few farmsteads. To…
The North Fork of the Solomon River was out of its banks causing all of Lenora to be flooded, along with a stretch of Highway 9 coming into town as well as elsewhere in the southern part of the county. Swift water rescues occurred in the southern part of Norton county during the …
Many 2-3 ft. diameter trees were snapped off across town. One pine tree was also uprooted. Three or four houses in town had trees blown on them. One or two vehicles smashed under fallen trees. Part of a roof was torn off one house.
Snowfall totals across the county averaged 2 east and central, 5 in the west. A period of freezing rain occurred before the snow, producing 1 of ice. Damage costs are a preliminary combined estimate for both the Dec 20 and Dec 30 storms.
High Wind High Wind
The Kansas Mesonet site named Norton 4 SW recorded a wind gust of 67 mph. The Norton Airport AWOS (KNRN) recorded a wind gust of 59 and 62 mph. 60 mph wind gusts were also recorded on a Tempest weather station in Norton and WeatherUnderground site located 7 SSE Norton named KKSNO…
Snow, and north winds gusting up to 40 mph in wake of a strong cold front led to icy roads across the county. Snow amounts were generally light with COCORAHS amounts showing around 0.5 inches with the snow ending across Norton county around 6am CT. A single vehicle crash occurred…
A two vehicle crashed occurred on Highway 383 north of Norton during the morning in dense fog. A semi was stopped on the highway, waiting to turn into a road. A driver coming up from behind struck the semi. One driver sustained minor injuries. The crash closed the highway between…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
An Ambient Weather site named Thompson reported the wind gust.
Hail Hail
The public relayed golf ball size hail.
Hail Hail
A trained spotter reports hail up to 3 inches in diameter. Damage was reported to north facing windows.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
WL-Norton 6.5 south-southeast mesonet report.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Public report of 60 MPH winds and blowing dust with visibility near 0.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Report from AWN geil lodge.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A 16 inch diameter tree was uprooted near the middle of town, and another similar sized tree was uprooted near the visitor center.
Blizzard Blizzard
Snow amounts ranged from four to twelve inches, with the highest amounts in the northeast part of the county. Key impacts: whiteout conditions, road closures.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Snow amounts ranged from four to 12 inches, with the highest amounts to the northeast. Key impacts: whiteout conditions, road closures.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
The public reported their chimney cap blew off of their house in the wind. The strongest wind gust reported was 55 mph that was recorded on the Kansas Mesonet site 5 WSW of Norton named Norton 4SW.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A Facebook report of 5 E Clayton reported 0.5 inches of ice from a combination of freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and riming from freezing fog on a small tree branch was occurring. There was also the mention that several small tree branches were breaking from the ice. Law enforc…
Hail Hail
Dime to quarter sized hail reported with ground turning white from hail coverage.
Hail Hail
Spotter estimated quarter sized hail ongoing at time of the report.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Mesonet station NRRK1 reported wind gusts of 60-70 mph during this time.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Estimated 60 mph winds were reported at the Norton county Landfill.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Estimated 60 MPH winds from heavy patio furniture being blown around and tree branches being bent horizontal.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
AWOS station KNRN at the Norton Airport reported the wind gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Social media report with videos of estimated 60 to 65 mph winds at the Norton landfill.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Social media report of winds around 60 mph or greater in the town of Almena.
Hail Hail
A trained spotter reported pea to penny size hail in the town of Norton.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Hail Hail
Ongoing hail was reported to have ranged from dime to half dollar size.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A Weatherlink site named Elk Creek Ranch reported the wind gust.
Hail Hail
Multiple reports of hail ranging from nickel to half dollar in size in the town of Norton.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Spotter estimated 50-60 mph winds along the leading edge of the line of storms.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Reported via Kansas mesonet at 10 meter height above ground.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Reported via Weather Underground mesonet site KKSLENOR7.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Reported via Weather Underground mesonet site KKSLENOR20.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Kansas State Mesonet site near Norton recorded a 61 MPH gust.
Hail Hail
Flood Flood
Public report of street flooding, nearing half way up car tires.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A mesonet southwest of Norton recorded a gust of 59 mph due to a thunderstorm moving over.
High Wind High Wind
The AWOS in Norton reported two gusts over 58 MPH during the day. In between these two gusts, winds were gusting to 50-57 MPH regularly. Another Mesonet reported a 58 MPH gust to the south-southeast of Norton. Impacts were high winds causing hazardous driving conditions.
High Wind High Wind
Two mesonet sites reported wind gusts over 64 MPH over a 15 minute period. One location, south-southeast of Norton reported a 67 MPH gust. Impacts were high winds causing hazardous driving conditions.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Blizzard conditions were recorded for less than 2 hours at the Norton AWOS. Winds gusted over 40 MPH for multiple hours during the ongoing snowfall. 8 inches of snow was measured by the public. Key impacts: Blowing snow, brief blizzard conditions, and heavy snow.
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Reported via Norton Airport AWOS station.
Hail Hail
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
The AWOS at the airport in Norton, KS report reported -25F wind chills starting at 0500 local on the 13th. There were brief times during the day time hours that wind chills warmed above -25F, generally due to the AWOS reporting calm winds. Overnight on the 15th, an additional col…
Blizzard Blizzard
Blizzard conditions of one-quarter mile and below with gusts of 35 to 45 mph observed over a duration of roughly eleven hours. Most observations were reported in Norton, including the report of eight and a half inches of snow. Total snow accumulations in the county ranged from th…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A prolonged snowfall produced three to eight and a half inches of snow across Norton County over a duration of 22.5 hours. The city of Norton received the greatest amount of snow with a report of eight and a half inches. Key impacts: limited visibility, snow packed roads, blowing…
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 0 |
| 2024 | 30 | 0 |
| 2023 | 83 | 2 |
| 2022 | 32 | 0 |
| 2021 | 29 | 0 |
| 2020 | 25 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 0 |
| 2018 | 13 | 0 |
| 2017 | 13 | 0 |
| 2016 | 13 | 0 |
| 2015 | 16 | 3 |
| 2014 | 24 | 0 |
| 2013 | 29 | 0 |
| 2012 | 20 | 0 |
| 2011 | 49 | 8 |
| 2010 | 20 | 0 |
| 2009 | 26 | 0 |
| 2008 | 22 | 0 |
| 2007 | 28 | 1 |
| 2006 | 29 | 0 |
| 2005 | 28 | 0 |
| 2004 | 30 | 0 |
| 2003 | 8 | 0 |
| 2002 | 20 | 0 |
| 2001 | 20 | 0 |
| 2000 | 29 | 2 |
| 1999 | 28 | 1 |
| 1998 | 6 | 0 |
| 1997 | 3 | 0 |
| 1996 | 17 | 1 |
| 1994 | 14 | 0 |
| 1993 | 12 | 2 |
| 1992 | 6 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | 7 | 4 |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 |
| 1976 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 3 | 0 |
| 1971 | 2 | 0 |
| 1970 | 2 | 1 |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 2 | 1 |
| 1965 | 1 | 1 |
| 1964 | 1 | 1 |
| 1962 | 2 | 0 |
| 1961 | 5 | 0 |
| 1959 | 2 | 0 |
| 1958 | 2 | 0 |
| 1956 | 2 | 1 |
| 1952 | 1 | 1 |