Rockingham County, North Carolina tornadoes

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13confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1960). Most recent: September 27, 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 Rockingham County

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The record

At a glance

Total131950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthMay5 of 13
StrongestF3Mar 20, 1998
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries34whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

May is the peak month, with 5 of 13 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 33 PM: 1: 1: 26 PM: 3: 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

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 02020: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 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
2
EF1
9
EF2
1
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, March 20, 1998

2 deaths, 27 injuries Strongest

F3, March 20, 1998

12 mile path Longest path

56.2 miles, F1

March 30, 1960, whole path Widest

500 yards, EF2

April 15, 2018
Every tornado

All 13 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 27, 2024EF10.35 mi50 yd00
May 6, 2022EF17.9 mi300 yd00
Apr 15, 2018EF232.75 mi500 yd05
May 5, 2017EF03.26 mi375 yd00
May 3, 2009EF01.3 mi20 yd00
Sep 17, 2004F115.3 mi100 yd00
Aug 12, 2004F1n/a20 yd00
Mar 20, 1998F312 mi300 yd227
May 6, 1996F10.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 6, 1981F19 mi17 yd00
Feb 18, 1976F15.2 mi33 yd02
May 15, 1967F10.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 30, 1960F156.2 mi50 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.