Jefferson County, Arkansas tornadoes

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38confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: March 14, 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 Jefferson County

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The record

At a glance

Total381950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthJanuary6 of 38
StrongestF3Dec 19, 1957
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries24whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 6Feb: 1Mar: 4Apr: 5May: 5Jun: 0Jul: 4Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 1Nov: 4Dec: 6JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January is the peak month, with 6 of 38 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 2: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 1: 2: 43 PM: 2: 1: 66 PM: 3: 5: 69 PM: 3: 1: 012 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 11970: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 32000: 0: 0: 3: 1: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 22010: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 1: 0: 2: 2: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
15
EF1
12
EF2
8
EF3
2
Unknown
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

F2, April 21, 1955

1 deaths, 2 injuries Strongest

F3, December 19, 1957

3.8 mile path Longest path

35 miles, F1

January 7, 1978, whole path Widest

600 yards, EF2

March 27, 2021
Every tornado

All 38 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 14, 2025EF10.9 mi50 yd00
Jul 8, 2024EF05.8 mi75 yd00
Jul 8, 2024EF13.2 mi75 yd00
May 10, 2023EFU0.1 mi25 yd00
Mar 3, 2023EF00.7 mi50 yd00
Mar 27, 2021EF218.56 mi600 yd00
May 8, 2019EF10.26 mi100 yd09
Mar 13, 2016EF00.56 mi50 yd00
Dec 20, 2013EF01.48 mi150 yd00
Jan 22, 2012EF216.98 mi300 yd00
Jan 22, 2012EF13.78 mi400 yd00
Oct 29, 2009EF12.57 mi400 yd04
Jul 21, 2009EF01.64 mi200 yd00
Nov 15, 2005F00.7 mi20 yd00
Sep 24, 2005F01.5 mi40 yd00
Nov 1, 2004F01.3 mi30 yd00
May 7, 2003F127.2 mi150 yd00
Dec 18, 2002F00.3 mi20 yd00
Dec 18, 2002F01.2 mi25 yd00
Dec 18, 2002F00.2 mi20 yd00
Apr 3, 1999F16.5 min/a00
Jan 21, 1999F116 min/a00
Jan 21, 1999F114 mi200 yd04
Nov 9, 1994F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 12, 1988F05 mi100 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.