Orange County, North Carolina tornadoes

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12confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1975). Most recent: July 6, 2025, 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 Orange County

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The record

At a glance

Total121950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthJanuary2 of 12
StrongestF3Nov 23, 1992
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries11whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

January is the peak month, with 2 of 12 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 1: 0: 33 PM: 2: 2: 06 PM: 0: 0: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 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

10 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
5
EF2
2
EF3
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

F3, November 23, 1992

2 deaths, 10 injuries Strongest

F3, November 23, 1992

5.5 mile path Longest path

26 miles, F2

March 29, 1991, whole path Widest

1,200 yards, F3

November 23, 1992
Every tornado

All 12 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 6, 2025EF10.25 mi250 yd00
May 6, 2022EF13.55 mi400 yd00
Mar 18, 2021EF14.25 mi200 yd00
Apr 19, 2019EF210.1 mi600 yd00
Oct 27, 2010EF12.87 mi50 yd00
Jan 14, 2005F00.3 mi50 yd00
Sep 8, 2004F00.5 mi25 yd00
Jun 19, 2000F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jan 28, 1994F00.1 mi10 yd00
Nov 23, 1992F35.5 mi1,200 yd210
Mar 29, 1991F226 mi300 yd00
Jul 13, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd01
Cities

Cities in Orange County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

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 14, 2026.