Lenoir County, North Carolina tornadoes

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30confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1961). Most recent: June 22, 2023, 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 Lenoir County

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The record

At a glance

Total301950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthApril11 of 30
StrongestF4Mar 28, 1984
Deaths16whole paths, see note
Injuries334whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

110 Jan: 1Feb: 1Mar: 4Apr: 11May: 1Jun: 2Jul: 1Aug: 2Sep: 5Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 11 of 30 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 2: 13 AM: 0: 1: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 312 PM: 0: 0: 83 PM: 3: 1: 16 PM: 1: 3: 19 PM: 0: 2: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

60 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 6: 0: 4: 12000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 12010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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
10
EF1
14
EF2
2
EF3
2
EF4
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

F4, March 28, 1984

16 deaths, 153 injuries Strongest

F4, March 28, 1984

28 mile path Longest path

32.6 miles, F2

March 14, 1975, whole path Widest

1,223 yards, F4

March 28, 1984
Every tornado

All 30 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 22, 2023EF10.7 mi100 yd00
Sep 5, 2019EFU0.1 mi50 yd00
Sep 14, 2018EF08.97 mi150 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF320.42 mi400 yd030
May 5, 2009EF00.02 mi25 yd00
Apr 5, 2008EF02.89 mi100 yd00
Oct 22, 2005F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 29, 2004F00.1 mi20 yd00
Feb 14, 2000F00.1 min/a00
Apr 15, 1999F13 mi10 yd02
Apr 1, 1998F01 mi50 yd00
Apr 1, 1998F11.5 mi80 yd03
Apr 1, 1998F11.5 mi100 yd00
Apr 1, 1998F11 mi50 yd00
Sep 16, 1996F11 mi100 yd01
Sep 16, 1996F21 mi100 yd01
Apr 15, 1996F00.5 mi50 yd00
Apr 15, 1996F10.5 mi50 yd00
Apr 15, 1996F00.3 mi50 yd00
Apr 15, 1996F00.3 mi25 yd00
Jan 6, 1995F11 mi100 yd08
Aug 2, 1993F12.5 mi30 yd00
Mar 29, 1991F112 mi100 yd033
Mar 28, 1984F428 mi1,223 yd16153
Mar 28, 1984F39 mi527 yd081
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.