Surry County, North Carolina tornadoes

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10confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1959). Most recent: April 28, 2023, EF0. 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 Surry County

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The record

At a glance

Total101950 to 2025
Per year0.1average since 1950
Peak monthApril3 of 10
StrongestF1Jan 21, 1959
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries3whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

30 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 3May: 3Jun: 0Jul: 1Aug: 0Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 3 of 10 tornadoes.

By time of day

20 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 23 PM: 0: 2: 16 PM: 0: 2: 19 PM: 0: 0: 212 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: 11960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 1: 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
2
EF1
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

F1, January 21, 1959

0.3 mile path Longest path

56.2 miles, F1

March 30, 1960, whole path Widest

250 yards, EF1

April 4, 2011
Every tornado

All 10 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 28, 2023EF00.06 mi60 yd00
May 26, 2022EF12.8 mi100 yd00
Apr 4, 2011EF12.68 mi250 yd00
Jul 26, 2010EF01.8 mi100 yd00
Sep 29, 1999F12 mi40 yd00
May 7, 1998F12.5 mi100 yd00
Apr 14, 1984F10.1 mi10 yd00
May 27, 1973F132.3 mi10 yd03
Mar 30, 1960F156.2 mi50 yd00
Jan 21, 1959F10.3 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.