Tornado History

Alabama Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for Alabama. The local dataset contains 3,179 tornado records from 1950 through 2026, with a strongest listed rating of F5 (Incredible damage) and at least $6.4B in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is May 25, 2026. Across these records, NOAA lists 692 deaths and 8,404 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes3,179
Total Deaths692
Total Injuries8,404
Property Damage$6.4B
Avg Length4.9 mi
Avg Width222 yd

Key Tornado Facts for Alabama

Top local patterns from the historical tornado records in this group.

Average 41.3 tornadoes per year (89.2/yr in last decade)
April is the peak tornado month with 749 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: EF4 in Alabama with 52 deaths
2011 was the most active year with 217 tornadoes
The 2010s had the most tornado activity (754 events)
Longest tornado: 300 miles in Alabama
Widest tornado: 2,600.0 yards in Alabama
Most tornadoes in one day: 117 on Apr 27, 2011

Monthly Distribution

Shows tornado frequency across months of the year, highlighting seasonal patterns and peak tornado periods.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Summary: In Alabama, April is the most active month with 749 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

Shows year-by-year tornado counts, making active years and quiet stretches easier to spot.

217145730

Summary: 2011 was the most active year with 217 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
F4
EF4
F5
EF5
Unknown
EFU

Summary: EF1 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 707 recorded events.

Property Damage Trends

Visualizes reported property damage over time. Bars use a log-like scale so very large damage years do not flatten the rest of the chart.

$4.4B$436.2M$43.6M$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 2011 with at least $4.4B in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

Compares the counties with the most tornado records in this state dataset.

Mobile
Baldwin
Jefferson
Cullman
Madison
Tuscaloosa
Limestone
Dekalb
Marshall
Jackson
Houston
Blount
Walker
Hale
Montgomery
Fayette
Elmore
Pickens
Pike
Shelby

Summary: Mobile County has the highest count in this state group with 128 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

F5 April 8, 19981998EF5 April 27, 20112011EF5 April 27, 20112011EF5 April 27, 20112011F5 April 4, 19771977F5 March 3, 19661966F5 March 3, 19661966F5 April 8, 19981998F5 April 3, 19741974F5 April 3, 19741974F5 April 3, 19741974F5 April 3, 19741974F5 April 3, 19741974F5 April 3, 19741974F5 April 3, 1974F5 April 3, 1974F5 April 3, 1974F5 April 3, 1974F5 April 3, 1974EF5 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011F4 November 15, 1989F4 November 15, 1989EF4 March 1, 2007EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011F4 May 27, 1973F4 May 27, 1973F4 May 27, 1973F4 May 27, 1973F4 May 27, 1973F4 May 27, 1973F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 April 3, 1974F4 February 23, 1975EF4 April 27, 2011F4 December 16, 2000F4 March 27, 1994F4 May 18, 1995EF4 April 24, 2010F4 April 24, 1955F4 April 15, 1956F4 March 11, 1963F4 May 19, 1973EF4 March 1, 2007F4 November 24, 2001F4 November 24, 2001F4 March 27, 1994F4 May 1, 1953F4 November 18, 1957F4 November 18, 1957F4 March 5, 1963F4 January 24, 1964F4 March 6, 1967F4 April 18, 1969F4 April 18, 1969F4 April 18, 1969F4 March 22, 1952F4 May 1, 1953F4 November 17, 1957F4 April 23, 1971EF4 February 6, 2008EF4 February 6, 2008EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 April 27, 2011EF4 March 3, 2019EF3 April 27, 2011F3 May 27, 1973© OpenStreetMap contributors
This map covers the wider location—not your exact property.Measure the closest recorded track to a street address in or near Alabama.
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Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
April 8, 1998F5Jefferson, Alabama24.3 mi1320 yd32258$200.0M
April 27, 2011EF5Marion, Alabama25.14 mi1320 yd18100$160.0M
April 27, 2011EF5Franklin, Alabama16.95 mi1760 yd270$50.0M
April 27, 2011EF5Lawrence, Alabama28.19 mi2200 yd140$40.0M
April 4, 1977F5Jefferson, Alabama14.7 mi550 yd22130$25.0M
March 3, 1966F5Tuscaloosa, Alabama25.8 mi150 yd13$250K
March 3, 1966F5Pickens, Alabama40.7 mi150 yd011$250K
April 8, 1998F5Tuscaloosa, Alabama6.3 mi1320 yd01$30K
April 27, 2011EF5Dekalb, Alabama33.66 mi1320 yd250N/A
April 3, 1974F5Marion, Alabama22.8 mi500 yd23250N/A
April 3, 1974F5Lawrence, Alabama24.4 mi500 yd1460N/A
April 3, 1974F5Limestone, Alabama17.7 mi500 yd1180N/A
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Source And Limits

Data sourced from NOAA Storm Prediction Center and the NCEI Storm Events Database. TornadoTrace summarizes reported weather events for screening and research; it is not a damage assessment, inspection, or insurance determination. Coordinates and records can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. No warranty of completeness or accuracy.

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