Contents
 | Parts of this article (those related to Number of tornadoes in United States by year and intensity) need to be updated. The reason given is: Numbers need to be updated..(August 2024) |
The following is a list of tornado events by year.
| Parts of this article (those related to Number of tornadoes in United States by year and intensity) need to be updated. The reason given is: Numbers need to be updated..(August 2024) |
The following is a list of tornado events by year.
| Year | Number of tornadoes | FU/EFU | F0/EF0 | F1/EF1 | F2/EF2 | F3/EF3 | F4/EF4 | F5/EF5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | ≥164 | ≥83 | ≥0 | ≥1 | ≥49 | ≥17 | ≥14 | 0 |
| 1947 | ≥127 | ? | ≥1 | ≥1 | ≥92 | ≥19 | ≥15 | ≥2 |
| 1948 | ≥159 | ? | ≥1 | ≥1 | ≥114 | ≥29 | ≥15 | 0 |
| 1949 | ≥279 | ≥71 | ? | ≥2 | ≥135 | ≥52 | ≥19 | 0 |
| 1950 | 201 | 0 | 16 | 86 | 68 | 24 | 7 | 0 |
| 1951 | 260 | 0 | 49 | 100 | 83 | 23 | 5 | 0 |
| 1952 | 240 | 0 | 32 | 82 | 72 | 36 | 18 | 0 |
| 1953 | 421 | 0 | 66 | 159 | 134 | 40 | 17 | 5 |
| 1954 | 550 | 0 | 89 | 226 | 189 | 39 | 7 | 0 |
| 1955 | 591 | 0 | 170 | 217 | 164 | 30 | 8 | 2 |
| 1956 | 504 | 0 | 125 | 181 | 147 | 38 | 12 | 1 |
| 1957 | 858 | 0 | 216 | 306 | 236 | 74 | 23 | 3 |
| 1958 | 564 | 0 | 145 | 233 | 145 | 36 | 4 | 1 |
| 1959 | 604 | 0 | 145 | 262 | 155 | 35 | 7 | 0 |
| 1960 | 616 | 0 | 128 | 262 | 175 | 44 | 6 | 1 |
| 1961 | 697 | 0 | 154 | 241 | 229 | 66 | 7 | 0 |
| 1962 | 657 | 0 | 191 | 265 | 162 | 33 | 6 | 0 |
| 1963 | 463 | 0 | 98 | 179 | 148 | 33 | 5 | 0 |
| 1964 | 704 | 0 | 169 | 268 | 216 | 39 | 10 | 2 |
| 1965 | 897 | 0 | 246 | 300 | 249 | 71 | 30 | 1 |
| 1966 | 585 | 0 | 169 | 239 | 145 | 25 | 4 | 3 |
| 1967 | 927 | 0 | 282 | 327 | 243 | 58 | 17 | 0 |
| 1968 | 657 | 0 | 192 | 251 | 163 | 39 | 8 | 4 |
| 1969 | 608 | 0 | 195 | 218 | 139 | 49 | 7 | 0 |
| 1970 | 653 | 0 | 164 | 253 | 191 | 36 | 8 | 1 |
| 1971 | 889 | 0 | 188 | 380 | 239 | 71 | 10 | 1 |
| 1972 | 741 | 0 | 174 | 345 | 181 | 37 | 4 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1,102 | 0 | 219 | 497 | 301 | 71 | 13 | 1 |
| 1974 | 945 | 0 | 222 | 384 | 208 | 95 | 29 | 7 |
| 1975 | 919 | 0 | 307 | 376 | 191 | 34 | 11 | 0 |
| 1976 | 834 | 0 | 241 | 361 | 168 | 48 | 13 | 3 |
| 1977 | 852 | 0 | 236 | 420 | 136 | 48 | 11 | 1 |
| 1978 | 789 | 0 | 338 | 312 | 106 | 26 | 7 | 0 |
| 1979 | 855 | 0 | 359 | 342 | 116 | 31 | 7 | 0 |
| 1980 | 866 | 0 | 267 | 400 | 162 | 32 | 5 | 0 |
| 1981 | 782 | 0 | 283 | 320 | 149 | 23 | 7 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1,047 | 0 | 374 | 421 | 187 | 58 | 6 | 1 |
| 1983 | 930 | 0 | 350 | 372 | 147 | 57 | 4 | 0 |
| 1984 | 907 | 0 | 373 | 352 | 126 | 41 | 14 | 1 |
| 1985 | 684 | 0 | 308 | 259 | 79 | 29 | 8 | 1 |
| 1986 | 765 | 0 | 354 | 271 | 116 | 21 | 3 | 0 |
| 1987 | 656 | 0 | 340 | 239 | 62 | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| 1988 | 702 | 0 | 283 | 311 | 81 | 24 | 3 | 0 |
| 1989 | 856 | 0 | 369 | 364 | 102 | 10 | 11 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1,133 | 0 | 537 | 385 | 155 | 41 | 12 | 3 |
| 1991 | 1,132 | 0 | 688 | 295 | 103 | 39 | 6 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1,297 | 0 | 698 | 413 | 129 | 43 | 13 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1,172 | 0 | 733 | 323 | 80 | 30 | 6 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1,082 | 0 | 694 | 272 | 81 | 30 | 5 | 0 |
| 1995 | 1,237 | 0 | 822 | 285 | 98 | 20 | 12 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1,173 | 0 | 743 | 313 | 94 | 20 | 2 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1,148 | 0 | 743 | 281 | 85 | 29 | 9 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1,424 | 0 | 883 | 382 | 116 | 35 | 6 | 2 |
| 1999 | 1,339 | 0 | 830 | 323 | 122 | 51 | 12 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1,075 | 0 | 723 | 267 | 62 | 20 | 3 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1,215 | 0 | 810 | 278 | 98 | 23 | 6 | 0 |
| 2002 | 934 | 0 | 623 | 215 | 65 | 26 | 5 | 0 |
| 2003 | 1,374 | 0 | 891 | 355 | 93 | 27 | 8 | 0 |
| 2004 | 1,817 | 0 | 1,216 | 470 | 103 | 23 | 5 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1,263 | 0 | 815 | 343 | 84 | 20 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1,103 | 0 | 686 | 292 | 93 | 30 | 2 | 0 |
| 2007 | 1,097 | 0 | 674 | 300 | 91 | 27 | 4 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1,689 | 0 | 982 | 498 | 150 | 49 | 9 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1,156 | 0 | 703 | 347 | 84 | 20 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1,281 | 0 | 770 | 341 | 125 | 32 | 13 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1,706 | 0 | 798 | 626 | 198 | 61 | 17 | 6 |
| 2012 | 938 | 0 | 576 | 239 | 95 | 24 | 4 | 0 |
| 2013 | 906 | 0 | 501 | 298 | 79 | 19 | 8 | 1 |
| 2014 | 886 | 0 | 476 | 313 | 70 | 20 | 7 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1,177 | 0 | 696 | 396 | 64 | 18 | 3 | 0 |
| 2016 | 976 | 30 | 531 | 310 | 77 | 26 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1,428 | 64 | 630 | 590 | 129 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1,126 | 17 | 618 | 401 | 78 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1,517 | 186 | 647 | 531 | 117 | 33 | 3 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1,082 | 105 | 460 | 405 | 88 | 18 | 6 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1,314 | 203 | 556 | 427 | 104 | 21 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1,143 | 151 | 401 | 448 | 119 | 20 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1,269 | 250 | 432 | 430 | 125 | 29 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1,642 | 247 | 516 | 700 | 134 | 40 | 4 | 0 |
| Total 1946-2024 | ≥ 71,489 | ≥ 1,228 | ≥ 32,452 | ≥ 24,138 | ≥ 10,236 | ≥ 2,720 | ≥ 653 | ≥ 61 |
The Fujita scale, or Fujita–Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation. The official Fujita scale category is determined by meteorologists and engineers after a ground or aerial damage survey, or both; and depending on the circumstances, ground-swirl patterns, weather radar data, witness testimonies, media reports and damage imagery, as well as photogrammetry or videogrammetry if motion picture recording is available. The Fujita scale was replaced with the Enhanced Fujita scale (EF-Scale) in the United States in February 2007. In April 2013, Canada adopted the EF-Scale over the Fujita scale along with 31 "Specific Damage Indicators" used by Environment Canada (EC) in their ratings.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is a US government agency that is part of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), operating under the control of the National Weather Service (NWS), which in turn is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States Department of Commerce (DoC).
This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2006. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Bangladesh, and Eastern India, but they can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also develop occasionally in southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer and somewhat regularly at other times of the year across Europe, Asia, Argentina, Brazil and Australia. Tornadic events are often accompanied with other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks that occurred in 2007, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally, particularly in parts of neighboring southern Canada during the summer season. Some tornadoes also take place in Europe, e. g. in the United Kingdom or in Germany.
A violent severe weather outbreak struck the Southeast on April 4–5, 1977. A total of 22 tornadoes touched down with the strongest ones occurring in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The strongest was a catastrophic F5 tornado that struck the northern Birmingham, Alabama, suburbs during the afternoon of Monday, April 4. In addition to this tornado, several other tornadoes were reported from the same system in the Midwest, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and North Carolina. One tornado in Floyd County, Georgia, killed one person, and another fatality was reported east of Birmingham in St. Clair County. In the end, the entire outbreak directly caused 24 deaths and 158 injuries. The storm system also caused the crash of Southern Airways Flight 242, which killed 72 and injured 22.
On February 10–11, 2009, a broad-scale damaging wind event and small tornado outbreak affected the Central and Eastern United States. During the two-day period, 14 tornadoes touched down in seven states. Oklahoma was struck by six tornadoes, the most of any state. The six tornadoes in Oklahoma also tied the record for the most tornadoes ever recorded in the state during the month of February, which would later be broken in 2023. The first day of the outbreak produced the most tornadoes; the second brought mainly high wind damage and rain or snow in most of the Northeast.
From May 3 to May 11, 2003, a prolonged and destructive series of tornado outbreaks affected much of the Great Plains and Eastern United States. Most of the severe activity was concentrated between May 4 and May 10, which saw more tornadoes than any other week-long span in recorded history; 335 tornadoes occurred during this period, concentrated in the Ozarks and central Mississippi River Valley. Additional tornadoes were produced by the same storm systems from May 3 to May 11, producing 363 tornadoes overall, of which 62 were significant. Six of the tornadoes were rated F4, and of these four occurred on May 4, the most prolific day of the tornado outbreak sequence; these were the outbreak's strongest tornadoes. Damage caused by the severe weather and associated flooding amounted to US$4.1 billion, making it the costliest U.S. tornado outbreak of the 2000s. A total of 50 deaths and 713 injuries were caused by the severe weather, with a majority caused by tornadoes; the deadliest tornado was an F4 that struck Madison and Henderson counties in Tennessee, killing 11. In 2023, tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis created the outbreak intensity score (OIS) as a way to rank various tornado outbreaks. The tornado outbreak sequence of May 2003 received an OIS of 232, making it the fourth worst tornado outbreak in recorded history.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1989, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 2011. Extremely destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Bangladesh, Argentina and Eastern India, but they can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also appear regularly in neighboring southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer season, and somewhat regularly in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
On March 2 and 3, 2012, a deadly tornado outbreak occurred over a large section of the Southern United States into the Ohio Valley region. The storms resulted in 41 tornado-related fatalities, 22 of which occurred in Kentucky. Tornado-related deaths also occurred in Alabama, Indiana, and Ohio. The outbreak was the second deadliest in early March for the U.S. since official records began in 1950; only the 1966 Candlestick Park tornado had a higher death toll for a tornadic system in early March.
From June 23 to 26, 2012, Tropical Storm Debby produced a significant tornado outbreak across the Florida Peninsula. Throughout the entire event, 25 tornadoes touched down across the state, making the outbreak the second largest on record in Florida, behind only that spawned by Hurricane Agnes, which produced 28 tornadoes from June 18 to 19, 1972. At least ten of the tornadoes—the largest 24-hour total in South Florida since Hurricane Isbell produced eight in 1964—had been confirmed in four South Florida counties by the National Weather Service forecast office in Miami.
On November 17, 2013, the deadliest and costliest November tornado outbreak in Illinois history took shape, becoming the fourth-largest for the state overall. With more than 30 tornadoes in Indiana, it was that state's largest tornado outbreak for the month of November, and the second largest outbreak recorded in Indiana. Associated with a strong trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere, the event resulted in 77 tornadoes tracking across regions of the Midwest United States and Ohio River Valley, impacting seven states. Severe weather during the tornado outbreak caused over 100 injuries and eleven fatalities, of which eight were tornado related. Two tornadoes—both in Illinois and rated EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale—were the strongest documented during the outbreak and combined for five deaths. In addition to tornadoes, the system associated with the outbreak produced sizeable hail peaking at 4.00 in (10.2 cm) in diameter in Bloomington, Illinois, as well as damaging winds estimated as strong as 100 mph (160 km/h) in three locations.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1962, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although tornadoes events can take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
On April 22, 2020, an outbreak of discrete supercell thunderstorms across portions of Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana led to widespread severe weather, including multiple strong tornadoes. Two people were killed by a high-end EF2 that struck the town of Madill, Oklahoma, and three more were killed by an EF3 wedge tornado that moved through Onalaska, Texas. Dozens of others were injured as well. The event came to fruition as a trough progressed eastward across the United States, interacting with a moist and unstable environment. Tornado activity continued into Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia overnight into the day on April 23. Isolated tornado activity also occurred during the overnight hours on April 21.
Between April 23–30, 1961, a tornado outbreak sequence struck the Midwest, Ohio, and Mississippi Valleys, and the Eastern United States. Large hailstorms accompanied the tornadoes as well and numerous other weather events also occurred. Three people were killed, 38 others were injured and losses totaled $26.810 million. Two additional fatalities also occurred due to flooding and lightning.
A destructive outbreak of 14 tornadoes hit the Southeast. Seven of the 14 tornadoes were significant (F2+) and multiple populated areas were struck. Overall, the outbreak injured 11 and caused $460,030 in damage.
A tornado outbreak occurred on Saint Patrick's Day in the Deep South. Mississippi and Alabama were greatly affected, with numerous tornadoes being confirmed, including four that were rated EF2. Six people were injured by four different tornadoes across Alabama during the outbreak. A non-tornadic fatality also occurred due to a car crash near Natchez, Mississippi. The outbreak began the day before, with a couple tornadoes in Mississippi, and continued over the next two days. The storm moved eastward and affected portions of Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia on March 18, spawning more tornadoes and causing wind damage before the storms pushed offshore that night. In total, 51 tornadoes were confirmed during the event, including 25 in Alabama, making it the sixth-largest tornado event in the state's history, and is sometimes locally referred to as the Saint Patrick's Day tornado outbreak of 2021. The same areas would be hit again by a more significant and destructive tornado outbreak sequence one week later.
A four-day tornado outbreak affected the Central and Southern United States in mid-December 2022. The outbreak produced strong tornadoes in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, resulting in severe damage and three fatalities. On December 13, a high-end EF1 tornado was caught on video from multiple angles as it caused considerable damage in Grapevine, Texas, where five people were injured, and multiple EF2 tornadoes caused significant damage in other parts of Texas and Oklahoma that morning. Two large EF2 tornadoes occurred near DeBerry, Texas and Keachi, Louisiana to the southwest of Shreveport, Louisiana, with the second one causing severe damage and two fatalities. An EF3 tornado struck the northern fringes of Farmerville, causing major structural damage and 14 injuries.