Nelson County, Kentucky tornadoes

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12confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1969). Most recent: April 2, 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 Nelson County

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The record

At a glance

Total121950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthApril5 of 12
StrongestF4Apr 3, 1974
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries85whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

April is the peak month, with 5 of 12 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 03 PM: 2: 0: 16 PM: 1: 0: 09 PM: 1: 0: 312 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 11:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 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
1
EF1
8
EF2
2
EF4
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

F4, April 3, 1974

3 deaths, 81 injuries Strongest

F4, April 3, 1974

37.9 mile path Longest path

37.9 miles, F4

April 3, 1974, whole path Widest

1,500 yards, F1

March 12, 1986
Every tornado

All 12 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 2, 2025EF12.94 mi175 yd00
Apr 2, 2024EF15.02 mi125 yd00
Apr 8, 2020EF14 mi45 yd00
Feb 5, 2008EF20.76 mi300 yd02
Feb 5, 2008EF21.29 mi300 yd00
Mar 28, 1997F00.5 mi50 yd00
Mar 12, 1986F10.5 mi1,500 yd02
Mar 10, 1986F10.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F437.9 mi10 yd381
Aug 25, 1972F10.3 mi10 yd00
Apr 14, 1972F12 mi100 yd00
May 8, 1969F10.1 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 13, 2026.