Barren County, Kentucky tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Barren County...

21confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1974). Most recent: April 3, 2025, EF2. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 Barren County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total211950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril7 of 21
StrongestF3Apr 3, 1974
Deaths6whole paths, see note
Injuries109whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 4Feb: 1Mar: 3Apr: 7May: 3Jun: 1Jul: 0Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 7 of 21 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 1: 1: 23 AM: 1: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 2: 0: 43 PM: 1: 1: 36 PM: 2: 0: 19 PM: 0: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 1: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 22010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02020: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 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
3
EF1
10
EF2
5
EF3
3

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

F3, April 3, 1974

3 deaths, 57 injuries Strongest

F3, April 3, 1974

31.1 mile path Longest path

48 miles, F3

April 16, 1998, whole path Widest

900 yards, EF2

December 11, 2021
Every tornado

All 21 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 3, 2025EF24.89 mi400 yd01
May 26, 2024EF17.49 mi150 yd00
Jan 1, 2022EF110.57 mi150 yd00
Dec 11, 2021EF216.98 mi900 yd00
Feb 24, 2018EF11.92 mi50 yd00
Aug 20, 2016EF01.58 mi30 yd00
Jan 30, 2013EF10.34 mi50 yd00
Jun 11, 2009EF117.24 mi150 yd00
May 8, 2009EF15.78 mi30 yd00
Jan 10, 2008EF13.07 mi350 yd00
Apr 7, 2006F28.1 mi250 yd04
Apr 16, 1998F348 mi100 yd29
Jan 24, 1997F25 mi600 yd02
May 28, 1996F00.5 mi50 yd00
Apr 20, 1996F14 mi200 yd00
Apr 20, 1996F10.5 mi100 yd04
Apr 9, 1991F20.5 mi400 yd03
Mar 31, 1979F312.7 mi100 yd119
Mar 20, 1976F10.1 mi10 yd010
Mar 12, 1975F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F331.1 mi10 yd357
Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Barren County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

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