List of United States tornadoes of 1950
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This page documents all the known tornadoes that touched down in the United States during 1950. Hundreds of tornadoes went unnoticed in 1950 as only 201 were confirmed, compared to the average of over 1,000 per year.
Major Events
A major milestone in weather history, 1950 marks the first public tornado warning and use of radar to track storms. With this, tornado records began to be kept and a database was started.
1950 had an early and violent start to the year with the first tornadoes touching down on January 3. Two F3's and one F1 touched down. The first tornado, and most damaging, was an F3 which struck St. Louis, Missouri causing almost $3 million in damages. The second F3 struck Fillmore, Illinois causing $250,000 in damages. The last tornado was a brief F1 in northeastern Ohio.
The first killer tornado of 1950 was a lone F3 on January 13 which struck Polk County, Arkansas. One person was killed and another was injured.
A rare F2 tornado touched down in northeastern Illinois on January 26. This is one of only two tornadoes to hit that area in the month of January. The other being an EF3 on January 7, 2008.
A deadly outbreak occurred between February 11 and 13 across the southern United States. 19 tornadoes touched down including an F4 which left 18 people dead along an 82.6 mile long track in Louisiana on February 12. There were 8 killer tornadoes, 6 of which were on February 12, which left 37 people dead. Two other long track tornadoes touched down in Louisiana, and F3 which tracked 74.5 miles leaving 5 dead, and an F2 which traveled 58.4 miles and left another 5 dead.
Confirmed tornadoes
- 5 tornadoes were not given an F-scale intensity
F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18 | 82 | 66 | 22 | 7 | 0 | 201 |
January
There were 7 confirmed tornadoes in January.
January 3 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Tuesday, January 3, 1950 | ||||||
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| | | | | ||
Missouri | ||||||
F3 | St. Louis, Madison (IL) | 38°46′N 90°07′W / 38.77°N 90.12°W | 1700 | 12.8 miles (20.6 km) | 3 Injuries Caused $2.75 Million in damages. | |
Illinois | ||||||
F3 | Montgomery | 39°06′N 89°18′W / 39.1°N 89.3°W | 1755 | 3.6 miles (5.8 km) | 3 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages. | |
Ohio | ||||||
F1 | Van Wert | 40°53′N 84°35′W / 40.88°N 84.58°W | 2200 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | 1 Injury Caused $25,000 in damages. |
January 13 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Friday, January 13, 1950 | ||||||
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| | | | | ||
Arkansas | ||||||
F3 | Polk | 34°24′N 94°22′W / 34.4°N 94.37°W | 1125 | 0.6 miles (1.0 km) | 1 Death 1 Injury Caused $3,000 in damages. |
January 25 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Wednesday, January 25, 1950 | ||||||
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| | | | | ||
Missouri | ||||||
F2 | Iron | 37°36′N 90°41′W / 37.6°N 90.68°W | 0130 | 2.3 miles (3.7 km) | 5 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages. | |
Illinois | ||||||
F2 | Kankakee | 41°10′N 87°20′W / 41.17°N 87.33°W | 0300 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | Caused $250,000 in damages. |
January 26 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Thursday, January 26, 1950 | ||||||
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| | | | | ||
Texas | ||||||
F2 | Brooks | 26°53′N 98°07′W / 26.88°N 98.12°W | 0000 | 4.7 miles (7.6 km) | 2 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages. |
February
There were 20 tornadoes confirmed in February.
February 11 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Saturday, February 11, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Texas | ||||||
F2 | Brazoria | 29°25′N 95°15′W / 29.42°N 95.25°W | 1910 | 9.9 miles (15.9 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F3 | Harris | 29°40′N 95°03′W / 29.67°N 95.05°W | 1950 | 12 miles (19.3 km) | 1 Death 12 Injuries Large half-mile-wide tornado. Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F2 | Smith | 32°21′N 95°12′W / 32.35°N 95.2°W | 0300 | 4.6 miles (7.4 km) | 5 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages. | |
F2 | Cass | 32°59′N 94°38′W / 32.98°N 94.63°W | 0555 | 4.5 miles (7.2 km) | 6 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages. |
February 12 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Sunday, February 12, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Texas | ||||||
F2 | Bowie | 33°20′N 94°25′W / 33.33°N 94.42°W | 0630 | 8 miles (12.9 km) | 1 Death 8 Injuries Large half-mile-wide tornado. Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F1 | Erath | 32°05′N 98°21′W / 32.08°N 98.35°W | 0715 | 2.3 miles (3.7 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F2 | Limestone | 31°31′N 96°33′W / 31.52°N 96.55°W | 1210 | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F1 | Shelby | 31°48′N 94°12′W / 31.8°N 94.2°W | 1757 | 7.7 miles (12.4 km) | 32 Injuries Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F3 | Shelby | 31°48′N 94°12′W / 31.8°N 94.2°W | 1757 | 1.9 miles (3.1 km) | 3 Deaths 15 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages. | |
Mississippi | ||||||
F2 | Union | 34°36′N 89°07′W / 34.6°N 89.12°W | 1800 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | 3 Death 2 Injuries Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F1 | Union | 34°36′N 89°07′W / 34.6°N 89.12°W | 1800 | 1.9 miles (3.1 km) | ||
Arkansas | ||||||
F2 | Grant | 34°29′N 94°12′W / 34.48°N 94.2°W | 1830 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages. | |
F2 | Union | 33°16′N 92°57′W / 33.27°N 92.95°W | 2100 | 5.7 miles (9.2 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages. | |
Louisiana | ||||||
F4 | De Soto, Caddo, Bossier, Webster | 31°58′N 94°00′W / 31.97°N 94.0°W | 1900 | 82.6 miles (132.9 km) | 18 Deaths 77 Injuries Caused $1 Million in damages. | |
F2 | De Soto, Claiborne | 32°12′N 93°35′W / 32.2°N 93.58°W | 1920 | 58.4 miles (94.0 km) | 5 Deaths 10 Injuries Caused $500,000 in damages. | |
F3 | Sabine, Natchitoches, Red River, Claiborne, Bienville | 31°38′N 93°39′W / 31.63°N 93.65°W | 2000 | 74.5 miles (119.9 km) | 5 Deaths 25 Injuries Caused $1.25 Million in damages. | |
F1 | East Carroll | 31°36′N 93°20′W / 31.6°N 93.33°W | 2000 | 0.5 miles (0.8 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. |
February 13 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Monday, February 13, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Tennessee | ||||||
F1 | Shelby | 35°21′N 89°46′W / 35.35°N 89.77°W | 0600 | 0.2 miles (0.3 km) | 8 Injuries Caused $2,500 in damages. | |
F2 | Shelby | 35°45′N 89°29′W / 35.75°N 89.48°W | 0700 | 0.2 miles (0.3 km) | 9 Deaths 1 Injury Caused $2,500 in damages. |
February 27 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Monday, February 27, 1950 | ||||||
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| | | | | ||
Oklahoma | ||||||
F2 | Oklahoma | 35°33′N 97°36′W / 35.55°N 97.6°W | 1620 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. |
March
There were 21 tornadoes confirmed in March.
March 1 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Wednesday, March 1, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Mississippi | ||||||
F1 | Lauderdale | 32°30′N 88°51′W / 32.5°N 88.85°W | 0830 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) |
March 16 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Thursday, March 16, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Florida | ||||||
F2 | St. Johns | 29°39′N 81°13′W / 29.65°N 81.22°W | 1515 | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages |
March 19 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Sunday, March 19, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Louisiana | ||||||
F1 | Calcasieu | 30°27′N 93°27′W / 30.45°N 93.45°W | 1330 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 2 Injuries Caused $25,000 in damages | |
F2 | Ascension | 30°06′N 91°00′W / 30.1°N 91.0°W | 1915 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages | |
F0 | Jefferson | 29°42′N 90°06′W / 29.7°N 90.1°W | 1915 | 18.1 miles (29.1 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages |
March 26 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Sunday, March 26, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Arkansas | ||||||
F2 | Clark, Hot Spring | 34°07′N 93°04′W / 34.12°N 93.07°W | 0130 | 17.4 miles (28.0 km) | 3 Injuries Caused $50,000 in damages | |
F3 | Izard | 36°09′N 91°50′W / 36.15°N 91.83°W | 0130 | 5.7 miles (9.2 km) | 1 Injury Caused $250,000 in damages | |
F2 | Pulaski | 34°42′N 92°21′W / 34.7°N 92.35°W | 0230 | 10.4 miles (16.7 km) | 7 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages | |
F3 | Prairie | 34°59′N 91°44′W / 34.98°N 91.73°W | 0315 | 14.9 miles (24.0 km) | 20 Injuries Enormous mile wide tornado, caused $250,000 in damages | |
F2 | Woodruff | 35°06′N 91°24′W / 35.1°N 91.4°W | 0530 | 5.4 miles (8.7 km) | 2 Injuries Large half-mile-wide tornado |
March 27 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Monday, March 27, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Oklahoma | ||||||
F2 | Pittsburgh | 34°51′N 95°45′W / 34.85°N 95.75°W | 0900 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | 2 Injuries Caused $2,500 in damages | |
Mississippi | ||||||
F2 | Humphreys | 33°10′N 90°33′W / 33.17°N 90.55°W | 1100 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | 1 Death 2 Injuries | |
F2 | Attala | 33°08′N 89°34′W / 33.13°N 89.57°W | 1330 | 11.9 miles (19.2 km) | ||
F2 | Hinds, Rankin | 32°17′N 90°16′W / 32.28°N 90.27°W | 1345 | 59.3 miles (95.4 km) | 7 Injuries Caused $500,000 in damages | |
F2 | Hinds, Rankin | 32°17′N 90°16′W / 32.28°N 90.27°W | 1345 | 31.9 miles (51.3 km) | 6 Injuries Caused $500,000 in damages | |
F2 | Clay | 33°40′N 88°47′W / 33.67°N 88.78°W | 1445 | 4.7 miles (7.6 km) | ||
F1 | Tishomingo | 34°44′N 88°16′W / 34.73°N 88.27°W | 1700 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | 2 Injuries Caused $25,000 in damages | |
Louisiana | ||||||
F1 | East Carroll | 32°38′N 91°17′W / 32.63°N 91.28°W | 1200 | 15.3 miles (24.6 km) | 2 Injuries Caused $25,000 in damages | |
F1 | East Feliciana | 30°55′N 91°08′W / 30.92°N 91.13°W | 1200 | 0.5 miles (0.8 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages | |
Tennessee | ||||||
F1 | Warren | 34°44′N 88°16′W / 34.73°N 88.27°W | 2100 | 0.2 miles (0.3 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages. | |
Illinois | ||||||
F2 | McLean | 40°34′N 88°36′W / 40.57°N 88.6°W | 2230 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. |
April
There were 15 tornadoes confirmed in April.
April 2 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Sunday, April 2, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Arkansas | ||||||
F3 | Jackson | 35°45′N 91°13′W / 35.75°N 91.22°W | 2130 | 2.5 miles (4.0 km) | 1 Death 8 Injuries Caused $2,500 in damages. | |
F1 | Mississippi | 35°59′N 89°55′W / 35.98°N 89.92°W | 0000 | 0.8 miles (1.3 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages. | |
Oklahoma | ||||||
F2 | Lincoln | 35°49′N 97°01′W / 35.82°N 97.02°W | 0000 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages. |
April 3 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Tuesday, April 3, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Oklahoma | ||||||
F1 | Tulsa | 36°08′N 95°50′W / 36.13°N 95.83°W | 2215 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages. |
April 18 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Tuesday, April 18, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Alabama | ||||||
F3 | Mobile | 30°40′N 88°12′W / 30.67°N 88.2°W | 0730 | 14 miles (22.5 km) | 15 Injuries Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F2 | Baldwin | 30°42′N 87°55′W / 30.7°N 87.92°W | 0745 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages. |
April 24 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Monday, April 24, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Louisiana | ||||||
F1 | Ascension | 30°06′N 90°02′W / 30.1°N 90.03°W | 1345 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. |
April 27 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Thursday, April 27, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
South Carolina | ||||||
F1 | Berkeley | 33°04′N 80°00′W / 33.07°N 80.0°W | 2200 | 0.7 miles (1.1 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. |
April 28 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Friday, April 28, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Oklahoma | ||||||
F3 | Kiowa, Washita | 34°53′N 99°17′W / 34.88°N 99.28°W | 2017 | 20.8 miles (33.5 km) | 1 Death 1 Injury Large 3/4-mile-wide tornado caused $750,000 in damages. | |
F4 | Hughes | 35°05′N 96°24′W / 35.08°N 96.4°W | 0105 | 4.5 miles (7.2 km) | 5 Deaths 32 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages. | |
F2 | Coal | 34°33′N 96°12′W / 34.55°N 96.2°W | 0130 | 0.8 miles (1.3 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
Kansas | ||||||
F1 | Coffey | 38°07′N 95°51′W / 38.12°N 95.85°W | 2017 | 19.8 miles (31.9 km) | 1 Death 1 Injury Caused $750,000 in damages. | |
Texas | ||||||
F4 | Callahan | 32°25′N 99°30′W / 32.42°N 99.5°W | 0000 | 1.3 miles (2.1 km) | 5 Deaths 5 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages. |
April 29 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Saturday, April 29, 1950 | ||||||
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| | | | | ||
Mississippi | ||||||
F2 | Marion | 31°16′N 89°50′W / 31.27°N 89.83°W | 1800 | 11.3 miles (18.2 km) | Caused $250,000 in damages. | |
Texas | ||||||
F1 | Comanche | 31°54′N 98°36′W / 31.9°N 98.6°W | 2130 | 11.5 miles (18.5 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. |
May
There were 61 tornadoes confirmed in May.
May 1 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Monday, May 1, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Louisiana | ||||||
F1 | Natchitoches | 31°42′N 93°18′W / 31.7°N 93.3°W | 0700 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Caused $250,000 in damages. | |
F1 | Winn | 31°57′N 92°38′W / 31.95°N 92.63°W | 1630 | 15.4 miles (24.8 km) | Caused $250,000 in damages. | |
F2 | Natchitoches | 31°33′N 92°54′W / 31.55°N 92.9°W | 1725 | 3.6 miles (5.8 km) | 7 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages. | |
F1 | Concordia | 31°23′N 91°44′W / 31.38°N 91.73°W | 1730 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 2 Injuries Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F0 | La Salle | 31°45′N 92°15′W / 31.75°N 92.25°W | 1730 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
Mississippi | ||||||
F1 | Jefferson | 31°44′N 91°04′W / 31.73°N 91.07°W | 1100 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F? | Adams | 31°33′N 91°23′W / 31.55°N 91.38°W | 1500 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. |
May 2 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Tuesday, May 2, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Louisiana | ||||||
F1 | Grant, Winn | 31°40′N 92°54′W / 31.67°N 92.9°W | 0800 | 32.8 miles (52.8 km) | 1 Injury Caused $500,000 in damages. | |
F2 | Catahoula | 31°33′N 91°58′W / 31.55°N 91.97°W | 0800 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 1 Death 5 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages. |
May 4 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Thursday, May 4, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Kansas | ||||||
F1 | Rush | 38°41′N 99°19′W / 38.68°N 99.32°W | 0200 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F4 | Barton, Pawnee | 38°02′N 99°07′W / 38.03°N 99.12°W | 0510 | 34.3 miles (55.2 km) | 1 Injury Caused $500,000 in damages. | |
Texas | ||||||
F2 | Ochiltree | 36°24′N 100°48′W / 36.4°N 100.8°W | 0230 | 1.9 miles (3.1 km) | 1 Death 13 Injuries Caused $250,000 in damages. | |
Iowa | ||||||
F1 | Mills | 40°57′N 95°44′W / 40.95°N 95.73°W | 0300 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | ||
Oklahoma | ||||||
F2 | Beckham | 35°15′N 99°33′W / 35.25°N 99.55°W | 0330 | 5.6 miles (9.0 km) | Half-mile-wide tornado caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F1 | Custer | 35°35′N 99°10′W / 35.58°N 99.17°W | 0330 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages. | |
F2 | Woodward | 36°34′N 99°34′W / 36.57°N 99.57°W | 0345 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Caused $250,000 in damages. |
May 5 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Friday, May 5, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Kansas | ||||||
F3 | Jackson, Brown | 39°37′N 95°37′W / 39.62°N 95.62°W | 0930 | 17.3 miles (27.8 km) | 12 Injuries Large 3/4-mile-wide tornado caused $500,000 in damages. |
May 7 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Sunday, May 7, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Oklahoma | ||||||
F1 | Ellis | 36°18′N 99°48′W / 36.3°N 99.8°W | 0030 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | ||
F2 | Kingfisher | 36°07′N 97°50′W / 36.12°N 97.83°W | 0500 | 4.3 miles (6.9 km) | 3 Injuries Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F1 | Payne | 36°00′N 97°00′W / 36.0°N 97.0°W | 0500 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages. |
May 8 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Monday, May 8, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
South Dakota | ||||||
F1 | Hutchinson | 43°23′N 97°58′W / 43.38°N 97.97°W | 1030 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages. | |
Florida | ||||||
F1 | Volusia | 29°08′N 81°21′W / 29.13°N 81.35°W | 1900 | 0.3 miles (0.5 km) | Caused $2,500 in damages. | |
Kansas | ||||||
F2 | Mitchell | 39°21′N 98°29′W / 39.35°N 98.48°W | 0030 | 12.6 miles (20.3 km) | Enormous mile-wide tornado caused $250,000 in damages. | |
F2 | Jewell | 39°34′N 98°18′W / 39.57°N 98.3°W | 0100 | 6.8 miles (10.9 km) | 1 Injury Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F2 | Osborne | 39°14′N 98°57′W / 39.23°N 98.95°W | 0130 | 19.6 miles (31.5 km) | 2 Injuries Large 3/4-mile-wide tornado caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F1 | Cloud | 39°24′N 97°39′W / 39.4°N 97.65°W | 0317 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | 1 Injury Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
F1 | Republic | 39°43′N 97°46′W / 39.72°N 97.77°W | 0330 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | ||
Iowa | ||||||
F2 | Montgomery | 41°02′N 95°16′W / 41.03°N 95.27°W | 0120 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | ||
Nebraska | ||||||
F2 | Nemaha | 40°23′N 95°48′W / 40.38°N 95.8°W | 0410 | 8.8 miles (14.2 km) | 1 Injury Large 3/4-mile-wide tornado caused $25,000 in damages. |
May 9 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Tuesday, May 9, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Kansas | ||||||
F? | Riley | 39°12′N 96°35′W / 39.2°N 96.58°W | 0601 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. | |
Oklahoma | ||||||
F1 | Pontotoc | 34°46′N 96°50′W / 34.77°N 96.83°W | 0420 | 0.1 miles (0.2 km) | Caused $25,000 in damages. |
May 10 event
List of confirmed tornadoes - Wednesday, May 10, 1950 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | ||
Wyoming | ||||||
F2 | Uinta | 41°11′N 110°25′W / 41.18°N 110.42°W | 1900 | 2 miles (3.2 km) |