The November 15, 1988 tornado

F2Saline, Pulaski, Lonoke and Prairie counties, Arkansas

An F2 tornado on a 49.0-mile path that killed 5 and injured 60. It was one of 44 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 3 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of November 15, 1988: 44 tornadoes in 7 states

F2 tornado · November 15, 1988

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 49.0 miles

Now in—

RatingF2

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 250 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: F2; Fujita scale
Path length: 49.0 mi; Width up to 250 yards
Killed: 5; Along the whole path
Injured: 60; Along the whole path
Date and time: Tuesday, November 15, 1988; 9:36 PM CST
That day: 44; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

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