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Hazards

Tornadoes

Every tornado the Storm Prediction Center has recorded since 1950, assigned to the counties it crossed.

  • 73,458tornadoes since 1950
  • 3,325rated F3/EF3 or stronger
  • 6,341deaths along their paths
  • 1,268a year on average since 1996
2025 73,458tornadoes recorded so far

Map: tornadoes rated F2/EF2 or stronger since 1950, drawn in the order they struck.

Year by year

Recorded tornadoes each year. The rise through the 1990s reflects better detection of weak tornadoes, not only more of them.

U.S. tornadoes per year since 1950 Doppler radar era 1950: 201 1951: 260 1952: 240 1953: 421 1954: 550 1955: 591 1956: 504 1957: 858 1958: 564 1959: 604 1960: 616 1961: 697 1962: 657 1963: 463 1964: 704 1965: 897 1966: 585 1967: 927 1968: 657 1969: 608 1970: 653 1971: 889 1972: 741 1973: 1,102 1974: 945 1975: 919 1976: 834 1977: 852 1978: 789 1979: 855 1980: 866 1981: 782 1982: 1,047 1983: 930 1984: 907 1985: 684 1986: 765 1987: 656 1988: 702 1989: 856 1990: 1,133 1991: 1,132 1992: 1,297 1993: 1,172 1994: 1,082 1995: 1,237 1996: 1,173 1997: 1,148 1998: 1,424 1999: 1,339 2000: 1,075 2001: 1,215 2002: 934 2003: 1,374 2004: 1,817 1,817 2005: 1,263 2006: 1,103 2007: 1,132 2008: 1,704 2009: 1,162 2010: 1,302 2011: 1,704 2012: 948 2013: 916 2014: 928 2015: 1,182 2016: 976 2017: 1,442 2018: 1,138 2019: 1,534 2020: 1,090 2021: 1,328 2022: 1,167 2023: 1,321 2024: 1,805 2025: 1,383 19501960197019801990200020102020
Tornadoes by month, all years J: 1,956 F: 2,112 M: 5,272 A: 10,650 M: 16,070 16,070 J: 13,298 J: 7,456 A: 5,142 S: 3,657 O: 2,969 N: 2,807 D: 2,069 JFMAMJJASOND

May is the peak month nationally, but the season moves: the Gulf Coast peaks in spring and late autumn, the northern Plains in June and July. Each state page and county page shows its own months.

Every F5 and EF5 tornado

60 tornadoes have received the highest rating since 1950.

F5 and EF5 tornadoes
Jun 20, 2025EF5Ransom, Cass ND12.13
May 20, 2013EF5McClain, Cleveland OK13.824
May 24, 2011EF5Canadian, Kingfisher OK63.19
May 22, 2011EF5Newton, Jasper MO21.6158
Apr 27, 2011EF5Neshoba, Kemper MS28.33
Apr 27, 2011EF5Marion, Franklin AL, TN132.072
Apr 27, 2011EF5Monroe, Itawamba AL, MS37.323
Apr 27, 2011EF5DeKalb AL33.725
May 25, 2008EF5Grundy, Butler IA41.09
May 4, 2007EF5Kiowa KS25.811
May 3, 1999F5Grady, McClain OK37.036
Apr 16, 1998F5Wayne, Lawrence TN69.43
Apr 8, 1998F5Tuscaloosa, Jefferson AL30.332
May 27, 1997F5Williamson TX5.127
Jul 18, 1996F5Fond du Lac WI13.30
Jun 16, 1992F5Nobles, Murray MN16.01
Apr 26, 1991F5Sedgwick, Butler KS46.017
Aug 28, 1990F5Kendall, Will IL16.429
Mar 13, 1990F5Reno, Harvey KS48.01
Mar 13, 1990F5Harvey, McPherson KS22.01
May 31, 1985F5Portage, Trumbull OH, PA47.018
Jun 7, 1984F5Iowa, Columbia WI36.09
Apr 2, 1982F5Choctaw, McCurtain OK53.00
Apr 4, 1977F5Jefferson AL14.722
Jun 13, 1976F5Boone, Story IA21.30
Apr 19, 1976F5Brown TX10.50
Mar 26, 1976F5Le Flore OK11.92
Apr 3, 1974F5Clark, Scott IN68.06
Apr 3, 1974F5Greene, Clark OH31.336
Apr 3, 1974F5Breckinridge, Meade IN, KY32.031
Apr 3, 1974F5Ohio, Boone IN, KY, OH20.83
Apr 3, 1974F5Lawrence, Morgan AL52.028
Apr 3, 1974F5Limestone, Madison AL, TN83.316
Apr 3, 1974F5Morgan, Lamar AL79.528
May 6, 1973F5McLennan, Bosque TX10.60
Feb 21, 1971F5Madison, East Carroll LA, MS109.247
May 11, 1970F5Lubbock TX8.426
Jun 13, 1968F5Murray, Lyon MN9.19
May 15, 1968F5Howard, Franklin IA62.113
May 15, 1968F5Fayette IA13.15
Apr 23, 1968F5Scioto, Lawrence OH34.07
Oct 14, 1966F5Wright IA9.76
Jun 8, 1966F5Shawnee KS21.116
Mar 3, 1966F5Neshoba, Kemper AL, MS202.558
May 8, 1965F5Tripp SD30.10
May 5, 1964F5Polk, Antelope NE79.74
Apr 3, 1964F5Wichita TX4.77
May 5, 1960F5Pottawatomie, Lincoln OK71.85
Jun 4, 1958F5St. Croix, Dunn WI33.721
Dec 18, 1957F5Perry IL5.41
Jun 20, 1957F5Cass, Clay MN, ND52.410
May 20, 1957F5Franklin, Miami KS, MO69.444
Apr 3, 1956F5Allegan, Ottawa MI58.817
May 25, 1955F5Kay, Sumner KS, OK28.420
May 25, 1955F5Kay, Sumner KS, OK56.480
Dec 5, 1953F5Warren MS9.038
Jun 27, 1953F5Adair IA0.11
Jun 8, 1953F5Genesee, Lapeer MI18.9116
May 29, 1953F5Morton, Emmons ND14.82
May 11, 1953F5McLennan TX20.9114

The deadliest

Deaths along the whole path.

Deadliest tornadoes since 1950
May 22, 2011EF5Newton, Jasper MO21.6158
Jun 8, 1953F5Genesee, Lapeer MI18.9116
May 11, 1953F5McLennan TX20.9114
Jun 9, 1953F4Worcester MA34.994
May 25, 1955F5Kay, Sumner KS, OK56.480
Apr 27, 2011EF5Marion, Franklin AL, TN132.072
Apr 27, 2011EF4Greene, Tuscaloosa AL80.764
Mar 3, 1966F5Neshoba, Kemper AL, MS202.558
Feb 21, 1971F4Grenada, Marshall MS, TN202.158
Dec 10, 2021EF4Obion, Fulton KY, TN168.557
Mar 21, 1952F4White AR14.650
Feb 21, 1971F5Madison, East Carroll LA, MS109.247
May 20, 1957F5Franklin, Miami KS, MO69.444
Apr 10, 1979F4Archer, Wichita OK, TX46.942
Mar 21, 1952F4Hardeman, Chester TN46.838
Dec 5, 1953F5Warren MS9.038
Apr 11, 1965F4St. Joseph, Elkhart IN37.036
Apr 3, 1974F5Greene, Clark OH31.336
May 3, 1999F5Grady, McClain OK37.036
May 15, 1968F4Jackson, Craighead AR20.935
Apr 21, 1967F4Cook IL15.033
Jan 23, 1969F4Smith, Scott MS117.832
Apr 8, 1998F5Tuscaloosa, Jefferson AL30.332
Apr 11, 1965F4Elkhart IN21.231
Apr 3, 1974F5Breckinridge, Meade IN, KY32.031

Recent notable tornadoes

Rated EF4 or stronger, or that killed five or more.

Recent notable tornadoes
Jun 20, 2025EF5Ransom, Cass ND12.13
May 16, 2025EF4Williamson IL16.30
May 16, 2025EF4Russell, Pulaski KY60.118
Apr 2, 2025EF3McNairy, Hardin TN29.15
Mar 15, 2025EF4Tangipahoa, Pike LA, MS67.26
Mar 14, 2025EF4Stone, Izard AR, MO116.00
Mar 14, 2025EF4Independence, Jackson AR18.50
Oct 9, 2024EF3St. Lucie, Indian River FL21.26
May 25, 2024EF3Montague, Cooke TX47.37
May 21, 2024EF4Taylor, Adams IA40.65
May 6, 2024EF4Osage, Washington OK40.82
Apr 27, 2024EF4Love, Carter OK26.81

The biggest outbreak days

196 days since 1950 with 40 or more tornadoes, or 6 or more rated F3/EF3 or stronger. Each has every tornado of the day and a replay of how it unfolded.

Tornado outbreak days since 1950
Apr 27, 201121035319TN, AL, MS
Apr 3, 197412860308TN, KY, IN
Mar 31, 20231271023IL, IA, IN
Dec 15, 202112500IA, NE, MN
May 5, 20079731KS, SD, NE
Jun 24, 20039530SD, MN, NE
May 25, 20119420IN, MO, IL
Apr 2, 20258855IN, IL, MO
Jan 21, 199986108AR, MO, MS
Apr 14, 20128466KS, OK, NE
May 4, 2003811238MO, TN, KS
May 30, 20048122IN, IL, IA
Mar 30, 20228120MS, AL, LA
May 18, 19957934TN, KY, IL
May 23, 20087972KS, WY, CO
May 29, 20047853KS, NE, OK
Apr 26, 20247861IA, NE, TX
Dec 28, 20247731MS, AL, LA
Nov 17, 20137698IN, IL, KY
Apr 15, 201175610AL, MS, AR
Jun 17, 20107483MN, ND, IA
May 6, 20037422MO, IL, AL
Apr 12, 202073622AL, MS, LA
May 3, 1999711046OK, NE, KS
May 10, 20107163OK, KS
Mar 2, 2012701041KY, TN, AL
May 26, 20247066MO, KY, AR
Apr 19, 20117010IN, IL, OH
Sep 20, 19676985TX, KS, NE
Apr 2, 20246900KY, IN, IL
Jun 2, 199068129IN, IL, KY
Apr 13, 202068108SC, GA, NC
Apr 2, 200667627IL, IA, TN
Jun 16, 199267121MN, SD, NE
Apr 5, 20226741GA, AL, MS
Mar 28, 20076665KS, TX, NE
Apr 26, 19946613TX, IL, OK
Nov 27, 20056532AR, KS, MO
May 22, 20046511NE, IA, MI
Nov 10, 200264934TN, OH, AL
Apr 10, 20096472GA, TN, SC
Jan 11, 20206306MS, KY, AR
Apr 27, 20246334OK, KS, MO
May 27, 20196371OH, CO, IN
Feb 5, 200862748TN, KY, AR
Jul 15, 20246200IL, IN, IA
Nov 22, 1992611212IN, AL, GA
Oct 26, 20106100IN, OH, KY
Jan 21, 20176014GA, AL, LA
Apr 19, 19966061IL, IN, MO
Mar 13, 199059142KS, NE, IA
Apr 26, 20115910TX, LA, AR
Nov 24, 200158612AL, MS, LA
Jun 8, 19935810WI, IL, MN
Sep 17, 20045810VA, PA, MD
Apr 16, 201157626NC, VA, SC
May 8, 19885720WI, IA, IL
Mar 1, 1997561827AR, TN, KY
Apr 30, 20195612MO, OK, TX
Jun 15, 19925660KS, NE, SD
Apr 2, 1982551530AR, MO, OK
Mar 12, 20065588MO, IL, AR
Mar 14, 2025541013MO, IL, AR
Sep 7, 20045410SC, FL, NC
Mar 6, 20175410IA, MO, KS
Apr 26, 1991531221KS, OK, TX
Apr 28, 201453915MS, AL, TN
May 24, 20045301KS, MO, NE
May 8, 20245331AL, MO, TN
May 25, 19975300KS, OK, TX
May 7, 20245300OH, IN, AR
Jul 8, 20245202LA, TX, AR
Sep 24, 20055211MS, AR, LA
May 10, 20035130IL, MO, IA
Mar 15, 202550411AL, MS, IN
Apr 11, 20015013IA, OK, NE
Nov 24, 20045012AL, MS, FL
Nov 15, 20054941TN, KY, IL
May 22, 2011482159OK, WI, MO
May 24, 201148718OK, KS, TX
Mar 20, 19764893AL, MS, IN
Nov 23, 20044822TX, LA, MS
Apr 14, 20114812OK, AR, KS
Jun 4, 19994801IL, NE, SD
May 16, 19914820KS, NE, CO
May 6, 20154840KS, OK, NE
May 16, 20154810OK, MN, TX
May 18, 20174800OK, KS, TX
Apr 7, 200647210AL, TN, MS
Apr 8, 19994752IA, MO, IL
Mar 15, 20084732SC, GA, AL
May 8, 20034740KS, OK, CO
May 15, 20034700TX, OK, KS
Apr 21, 196746858IL, MO, MI
Apr 25, 20114615AR, TX, KY
May 8, 20094622MO, TN, IL
May 7, 19934631KS, MN, SD
May 31, 19984661PA, NY, MI
May 4, 19594600KS, NE, OK
Jun 4, 20084600NE, IA, VA
Jun 30, 20144600IN, IL, IA
Apr 11, 19654522260MI, IN, OH
Mar 3, 201945223GA, AL, SC
Jun 21, 20234514CO, TX, NE
Oct 18, 20074533KY, MI, IN
Jan 30, 20134511TN, KY, GA
Jun 13, 19984500KS, NE, OK
Sep 25, 20054500AL, MS, LA
Apr 19, 20194510VA, NC, SC
Nov 15, 19884437MO, IA, AR
Oct 9, 20244436FL
Jun 4, 20054400MO, WI, KS
May 24, 20164450KS, CO, MI
May 19, 20174400MO, KS, OK
Apr 18, 20194400MS, MO
May 19, 20254410MO, OK, AR
Mar 1, 200743620GA, AL, MO
Jun 5, 20104348IL, MI, OH
May 21, 20244325WI, IA, NE
May 7, 19984341NC, SC, GA
Jan 22, 19994321MS, LA, TN
May 4, 19994341TX, KS, OK
Apr 30, 20174301MS, LA, AR
Apr 4, 20114300KY, AR, LA
May 24, 20244300IA, NE, IL
Mar 30, 20254300MI, IN, TN
May 18, 20254390KS, TX, NE
Apr 16, 199842912TN, AL, KY
Jan 12, 202342211AL, GA, KY
Jun 11, 20084247IA, KS, MN
May 11, 20084232GA, NC, SC
Apr 29, 19844221KS, IL, MO
May 16, 20034200AR, OK, TX
Apr 22, 20104210CO, KS, TX
Jun 7, 198441513IA, MN, WI
May 27, 19734159MS, AL, NC
May 6, 20244112OK, MO, IA
Mar 22, 20224121MS, AL, LA
Jun 5, 20084100KS, IA, MO
May 29, 20194100IA, TX, PA
May 2, 20084036AR, MS, MO
Aug 29, 20054001GA, MS, AL
Apr 3, 20174001GA, SC, LA
Dec 1, 20184011IL, MO, AL
Jun 4, 19554040KS, OK, NE
May 29, 19804000SD, IA, NE
Jun 7, 19934060SD, IA, MN
Jun 26, 19944020TN, GA, AL
Nov 7, 19954010SC, GA, NC
Jun 13, 20014020MN, NE, KS
Apr 28, 20114000NC, MD, PA
Apr 13, 20224000MS, KY, AL
Apr 20, 20254000IL, MO, AR
Apr 24, 201039610AL, MS, MO
Apr 28, 20023865PA, KY, MD
May 8, 19653874NE, SD, OK
Jun 8, 1974361122OK, KS, MO
May 15, 196833971MO, IA, MN
May 5, 196031832OK, AR, TX
May 31, 1985301576PA, OH, NY
Nov 21, 199230712TX, LA, MS
Jan 24, 19673087IA, MO, IL
May 5, 19643074KS, OK, SD
May 4, 19773093IA, MO, KS
Mar 28, 1984291257NC, SC, GA
Mar 27, 199429940GA, AL, SC
Apr 3, 195629931IN, IL, MI
Dec 2, 19822974MO, AR, IL
Mar 27, 19912962MI, IN, IL
Apr 30, 19542961TX, AR, IA
Apr 7, 19802861AR, WI, OK
Mar 21, 19522720202AR, TN, MS
Mar 12, 19762764IN, AL, MI
Mar 26, 19612770TX, KS, OK
Dec 18, 1957251117IL, MO
May 4, 19602570OK, TX, KS
Mar 15, 19822465OK, KS, MO
Apr 20, 19732392MO, AR, IA
Apr 29, 196322712AL, IN, MS
Feb 21, 19932273GA, TN, KY
Apr 30, 196721713IA, MN, SD
May 2, 19832195OH, NY, PA
May 7, 19612163OK, KS, AR
Apr 21, 19721963IL, MS, KY
May 21, 195718615MO, IL, MN
Apr 2, 19561867OK, KS, IL
May 19, 19831861LA, AL, GA
Apr 8, 19571777GA, AL, SC
Mar 26, 19761764AR, MS, MO
Nov 7, 195714714LA, TX, MS
Apr 27, 197114610KY, IN, TN
Nov 26, 19651461IN, KY, AR
Aug 6, 196913815MN, NE
Sep 25, 19731363KS, CO, IA
Jun 8, 1953127142MI, NE, OH
Apr 30, 19721270KS, MO, OK

Where they strike

States with the most tornadoes since 1950, and the county rankings.

  1. 1Texas9,616
  2. 2Kansas4,609
  3. 3Oklahoma4,516
  4. 4Florida3,762
  5. 5Nebraska3,223
  6. 6Illinois3,149
  7. 7Iowa3,103
  8. 8Mississippi2,883
  9. 9Alabama2,721
  10. 10Missouri2,707
  11. 11Louisiana2,503
  12. 12Colorado2,479
  13. 13Minnesota2,216
  14. 14Arkansas2,146
  15. 15Georgia2,014