The April 10, 1979 tornado

F4Archer, Wichita, Clay and Jefferson counties, Oklahoma and Texas

An F4 tornado on a 46.9-mile path that killed 42 and injured 1,740. It was one of 25 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 5 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · April 10, 1979

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 46.9 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathDrawn at its recorded maximum width, 1,320 yards

TownsSized by population today; those within 3 miles flash as it passes

Counties on the pathLit as the tornado enters them

Source: Storm Prediction Center path, drawn through NOAA Storm Events county segments. Times as logged by the National Weather Service. Towns are today’s Census places.

The tornado

Rating: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 46.9 mi; Width up to 1,320 yards
Killed: 42; Along the whole path
Injured: 1,740; Along the whole path
Date and time: Tuesday, April 10, 1979; 5:50 PM CST
That day: 25; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Foard County11 killed

Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.