Caldwell County, North Carolina tornadoes

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11confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1973). Most recent: October 23, 2017, 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 Caldwell County

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The record

At a glance

Total111950 to 2025
Per year0.1average since 1950
Peak monthMay3 of 11
StrongestF4May 7, 1998
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries3whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

May is the peak month, with 3 of 11 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 23 PM: 2: 1: 36 PM: 0: 0: 19 PM: 0: 0: 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: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 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
4
EF1
4
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

Strongest

F4, May 7, 1998

4 mile path Longest path

15 miles, F2

May 5, 1989, whole path Widest

1,320 yards, F4

May 7, 1998
Every tornado

All 11 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Oct 23, 2017EF16.48 mi750 yd00
Oct 8, 2017EF16.71 mi400 yd00
Oct 8, 2017EF02.42 mi100 yd00
Jan 11, 2012EF00.12 mi75 yd00
Apr 28, 2011EF14.45 mi100 yd01
May 7, 1998F44 mi1,320 yd02
Aug 16, 1994F02 mi50 yd00
May 5, 1989F215 mi73 yd00
Jul 9, 1977F00.5 mi20 yd00
Apr 4, 1974F25.7 mi10 yd00
May 27, 1973F110.4 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.