Winston County, Alabama tornadoes

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43confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: April 1, 2023, 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 Winston County

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The record

At a glance

Total431950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthApril9 of 43
StrongestF5Apr 3, 1974
Deaths40whole paths, see note
Injuries423whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 4Feb: 3Mar: 5Apr: 9May: 3Jun: 1Jul: 0Aug: 3Sep: 5Oct: 1Nov: 9Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 9 of 43 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 2: 13 AM: 1: 0: 16 AM: 1: 2: 19 AM: 2: 0: 212 PM: 0: 4: 33 PM: 4: 3: 36 PM: 2: 1: 59 PM: 2: 2: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 8:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 22000: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 4: 1: 1: 2: 02010: 1: 1: 0: 5: 0: 0: 4: 0: 1: 02020: 2: 1: 0: 2: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

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
7
EF1
17
EF2
13
EF3
5
EF5
1

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

F5, April 3, 1974

28 deaths, 272 injuries Strongest

F5, April 3, 1974

79.5 mile path Longest path

79.5 miles, F5

April 3, 1974, whole path Widest

1,320 yards, EF3

April 27, 2011
Every tornado

All 43 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 1, 2023EF116.98 mi675 yd01
Jan 12, 2023EF29.18 mi425 yd00
Mar 31, 2021EF11.19 mi305 yd00
Aug 28, 2020EF12.56 mi100 yd00
Aug 28, 2020EF18.75 mi325 yd00
Jun 22, 2018EF27.02 mi260 yd03
Nov 29, 2016EF13.15 mi100 yd00
Nov 29, 2016EF29.51 mi1,000 yd00
Nov 29, 2016EF23.2 mi300 yd00
Nov 29, 2016EF10.4 mi100 yd00
Apr 11, 2013EF10.38 mi50 yd01
Apr 11, 2013EF11.17 mi300 yd00
Apr 11, 2013EF12.63 mi250 yd00
Jan 30, 2013EF16.42 mi300 yd00
Jan 30, 2013EF110.39 mi1,000 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF331.84 mi1,320 yd025
Oct 25, 2010EF112.07 mi600 yd00
Aug 24, 2008EF00.05 mi20 yd00
Apr 4, 2008EF02.5 mi75 yd00
Mar 1, 2007EF29.62 mi100 yd00
Apr 7, 2006F14.7 mi150 yd00
Nov 14, 2005F00.1 mi20 yd00
Sep 25, 2005F00.5 mi30 yd00
Sep 25, 2005F12.5 mi150 yd00
Sep 25, 2005F00.8 mi50 yd00
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.