Union County, New Mexico tornadoes

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47confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: May 28, 2024, EFU. 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 Union County

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The record

At a glance

Total471950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay20 of 47
StrongestF2Sep 18, 1965
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries0whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

200 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 20Jun: 12Jul: 8Aug: 3Sep: 3Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 20 of 47 tornadoes.

By time of day

160 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 73 PM: 16: 9: 46 PM: 1: 3: 59 PM: 0: 0: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

70 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 2: 2: 0: 0: 2: 0: 3: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 5: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 21980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 7: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 6: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 2: 32020: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 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
34
EF1
8
EF2
4
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

Strongest

F2, September 18, 1965

5.1 mile path Longest path

21.96 miles, EF2

May 23, 2010, whole path Widest

660 yards, F2

May 10, 1972
Every tornado

All 47 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 28, 2024EFU3.5 mi50 yd00
May 30, 2021EF00.44 mi50 yd00
Jul 4, 2020EF00.04 mi30 yd00
Jul 5, 2019EF02.14 mi50 yd00
May 26, 2019EF02.62 mi50 yd00
May 26, 2019EF021.74 mi75 yd00
Sep 9, 2018EF00.2 mi50 yd00
Jun 22, 2018EF00.58 mi40 yd00
Aug 13, 2016EF00.01 mi50 yd00
Jun 7, 2014EF00.1 mi20 yd00
May 23, 2010EF19.33 mi175 yd00
May 23, 2010EF14.2 mi100 yd00
May 23, 2010EF28.82 mi440 yd00
May 23, 2010EF15.67 mi175 yd00
May 23, 2010EF02.53 mi100 yd00
May 23, 2010EF221.96 mi440 yd00
Jun 19, 2008EF00.05 mi10 yd00
Jun 21, 2004F00.1 mi100 yd00
Aug 13, 2001F00.1 mi30 yd00
Sep 2, 1996F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 26, 1996F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 12, 1996F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jun 3, 1996F01 mi50 yd00
Jun 3, 1996F02 mi100 yd00
May 25, 1996F00.5 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.