Gaston County, North Carolina tornadoes

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21confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: May 8, 2024, 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 Gaston County

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The record

At a glance

Total211950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay7 of 21
StrongestF3Mar 27, 1994
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries29whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 3Feb: 2Mar: 4Apr: 3May: 7Jun: 0Jul: 1Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

By time of day

50 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 0: 5: 13 PM: 3: 2: 26 PM: 1: 2: 09 PM: 1: 0: 012 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 3: 1: 1: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 2: 0: 0: 1: 2: 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
5
EF1
11
EF2
3
EF3
1
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

Deadliest

F1, April 2, 1974

1 deaths, 10 injuries Strongest

F3, March 27, 1994

18.5 mile path Longest path

56.4 miles, F1

April 6, 1956, whole path Widest

200 yards, F3

March 27, 1994
Every tornado

All 21 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 8, 2024EF18.22 mi60 yd02
May 8, 2024EF121.34 mi100 yd00
Jan 12, 2023EF06.06 mi100 yd00
May 22, 2020EF08.63 mi100 yd00
Feb 6, 2020EF28.66 mi150 yd00
Apr 19, 2019EF07.11 mi100 yd01
Mar 28, 2010EF10.13 mi100 yd00
May 9, 2008EF218.21 mi75 yd00
Jan 5, 2007FU0.25 mi20 yd00
Nov 15, 2006F10.1 mi30 yd00
May 26, 2006F12.2 mi40 yd00
Jan 13, 2006F10.5 mi100 yd00
Mar 8, 2005F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jul 12, 2003F118 mi200 yd00
Feb 21, 1997F115 mi200 yd00
Mar 27, 1994F318.5 mi200 yd02
Mar 27, 1994F245.4 mi100 yd013
May 15, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd01
Apr 2, 1974F19.7 mi100 yd110
May 28, 1973F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 6, 1956F156.4 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.