Highlands County, Florida tornadoes

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49confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1964). Most recent: October 9, 2024, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Recent warnings in Highlands County

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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.

The record

At a glance

Total491950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthJune15 of 49
StrongestF2Feb 2, 1983
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries19whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

150 Jan: 5Feb: 3Mar: 5Apr: 3May: 5Jun: 15Jul: 2Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 6Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 15 of 49 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 2: 1: 03 AM: 0: 3: 06 AM: 1: 0: 49 AM: 0: 4: 012 PM: 6: 7: 53 PM: 3: 6: 26 PM: 1: 1: 09 PM: 1: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 1:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 11970: 2: 2: 1: 1: 0: 1: 1: 2: 3: 11980: 0: 0: 4: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 2: 2: 22000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 1: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 1: 0: 5: 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
26
EF1
19
EF2
4

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, February 2, 1983

1 deaths, 6 injuries Strongest

F2, February 2, 1983

1 mile path Longest path

17 miles, F0

September 17, 2000, whole path Widest

500 yards, EF1

October 9, 2024
Every tornado

All 49 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Oct 9, 2024EF00.57 mi75 yd00
Oct 9, 2024EF10.47 mi50 yd00
Oct 9, 2024EF10.59 mi100 yd00
Oct 9, 2024EF22.85 mi300 yd01
Oct 9, 2024EF16.84 mi500 yd00
Mar 12, 2022EF10.65 mi50 yd00
Jun 26, 2012EF01.1 mi40 yd00
Jun 24, 2012EF15.31 mi100 yd00
Jun 24, 2012EF03.45 mi150 yd10
Jan 25, 2011EF00.93 mi30 yd00
Jul 1, 2008EF00.4 mi10 yd00
Oct 24, 2005F01 mi50 yd00
Sep 17, 2000F017 min/a00
Jun 4, 1999F00.3 min/a00
Jan 3, 1999F00.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 9, 1998F115.5 mi200 yd00
Jan 23, 1998F00.3 mi30 yd00
Aug 20, 1997F00.8 mi10 yd00
Apr 28, 1997F00.2 mi10 yd00
Aug 31, 1995F02.2 mi10 yd00
Jul 21, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 5, 1993F00.2 mi50 yd00
Nov 9, 1990F15 mi40 yd01
Jun 3, 1990F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 18, 1989F00.2 mi10 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 12, 2026.