Shelby County, Alabama tornadoes

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51confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: March 15, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Shelby County

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The record

At a glance

Total511950 to 2025
Per year0.7average since 1950
Peak monthApril15 of 51
StrongestF4Jan 24, 1964
Deaths17whole paths, see note
Injuries286whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Shelby County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

150 Jan: 3Feb: 7Mar: 12Apr: 15May: 6Jun: 1Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 6JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 15 of 51 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 1: 1: 13 AM: 3: 6: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 2: 1: 312 PM: 2: 4: 03 PM: 4: 2: 76 PM: 5: 3: 29 PM: 0: 3: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

70 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 1: 1: 62010: 1: 7: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 32020: 1: 2: 4: 0: 1: 219501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
14
EF1
27
EF2
6
EF3
2
EF4
2

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F4, January 24, 1964

10 deaths, 6 injuries Strongest

F4, January 24, 1964

3.3 mile path Longest path

139.1 miles, F4

May 27, 1973, whole path Widest

1,200 yards, EF3

March 30, 2022
Every tornado

All 51 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 15, 2025EF12.55 mi150 yd00
Mar 15, 2025EF17.47 mi250 yd00
Dec 29, 2024EF11.53 mi175 yd00
Mar 30, 2022EF14.52 mi135 yd00
Mar 30, 2022EF329.24 mi1,200 yd02
Mar 22, 2022EF02.76 mi100 yd00
Feb 17, 2022EF112.64 mi400 yd00
Dec 29, 2021EF110.93 mi400 yd00
Mar 25, 2021EF350.13 mi1,140 yd05
Feb 6, 2020EF29.91 mi700 yd00
Dec 16, 2019EF02.29 mi200 yd00
Apr 14, 2019EF02.97 mi125 yd00
Apr 14, 2019EF06.48 mi600 yd00
Jun 22, 2017EF00.27 mi50 yd00
Feb 24, 2016EF01.11 mi80 yd00
Dec 22, 2011EF01.83 mi50 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF18.59 mi200 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF15.41 mi50 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF13.39 mi100 yd00
Apr 15, 2011EF14.38 mi100 yd00
Apr 15, 2011EF01.37 mi50 yd00
Mar 26, 2011EF10.19 mi50 yd00
Mar 25, 2010EF12.74 mi100 yd00
May 3, 2009EF11.43 mi300 yd00
May 3, 2009EF02.6 mi200 yd00
Cities

Cities in Shelby County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.