Carteret County, North Carolina tornadoes

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81confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1963). Most recent: September 16, 2024, EF0. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Carteret County

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The record

At a glance

Total811950 to 2025
Per year1.1average since 1950
Peak monthSeptember20 of 81
StrongestF2Dec 3, 1967
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries11whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

200 Jan: 2Feb: 1Mar: 2Apr: 7May: 9Jun: 8Jul: 10Aug: 9Sep: 20Oct: 4Nov: 7Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

September is the peak month, with 20 of 81 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 3: 0: 16 AM: 2: 4: 59 AM: 3: 5: 512 PM: 3: 7: 63 PM: 6: 4: 66 PM: 4: 4: 49 PM: 3: 1: 412 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

80 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 4: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 21990: 2: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 1: 4: 42000: 3: 3: 1: 4: 7: 3: 5: 1: 3: 02010: 0: 0: 2: 2: 0: 0: 4: 0: 8: 22020: 1: 0: 0: 0: 3: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
43
EF1
30
EF2
8

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, December 3, 1967

0.1 mile path Longest path

17 miles, F0

June 2, 1998, whole path Widest

350 yards, F2

May 27, 1974
Every tornado

All 81 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 16, 2024EF00.35 mi60 yd00
Jan 10, 2024EF00.14 mi60 yd00
Jan 10, 2024EF10.23 mi75 yd00
Sep 17, 2020EF10.15 mi25 yd00
Oct 31, 2019EF00.37 mi60 yd00
Sep 5, 2019EF213 mi200 yd00
Nov 24, 2018EF00.5 mi40 yd00
Nov 24, 2018EF22.8 mi75 yd00
Nov 24, 2018EF00.35 mi70 yd00
Nov 13, 2018EF12 mi150 yd00
Sep 14, 2018EF14.5 mi300 yd00
Sep 14, 2018EF18.18 mi200 yd00
Sep 14, 2018EF19.33 mi150 yd00
Sep 14, 2018EF12.74 mi150 yd00
Sep 2, 2016EF10.35 mi50 yd00
Sep 2, 2016EF10.15 mi50 yd00
Jun 25, 2016EF00.46 mi30 yd01
Feb 16, 2016EF14.23 mi167 yd00
Nov 26, 2013EF13.22 mi200 yd00
Nov 26, 2013EF20.36 mi200 yd02
Dec 26, 2012EF10.91 mi100 yd00
May 30, 2012EF10.57 mi250 yd00
May 11, 2008EF00.06 mi10 yd00
May 11, 2008EF00.31 mi30 yd00
May 11, 2008EF12.71 mi30 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Aug 24, 20264 NNW AtlanticNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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.