Union County, North Carolina tornadoes

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24confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: March 5, 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 Union County

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The record

At a glance

Total241950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril5 of 24
StrongestF4May 5, 1989
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries26whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 4Apr: 5May: 5Jun: 2Jul: 3Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 1Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 5 of 24 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 1: 112 PM: 2: 2: 43 PM: 1: 3: 36 PM: 4: 1: 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: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11970: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 1: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 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
5
EF1
11
EF2
6
EF3
1
EF4
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, May 5, 1989

1 deaths, 6 injuries Strongest

F4, May 5, 1989

13 mile path Longest path

56.4 miles, F1

April 6, 1956, whole path Widest

500 yards, F4

May 5, 1989
Every tornado

All 24 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 5, 2025EF12.25 mi75 yd00
Feb 6, 2020EF117.15 mi150 yd00
May 24, 2017EF18.05 mi50 yd00
Dec 28, 2015EF00.9 mi75 yd00
Sep 5, 2011EF00.47 mi40 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF02.99 mi50 yd00
Jul 4, 2001F00.2 min/a00
Apr 13, 1996F11 mi50 yd00
Apr 12, 1995F00.5 mi23 yd01
Oct 18, 1990F312 mi100 yd02
May 5, 1989F413 mi500 yd16
May 24, 1988F10.3 mi50 yd00
Mar 28, 1984F10.3 mi33 yd00
Mar 6, 1983F22 mi33 yd09
May 18, 1980F23.3 mi50 yd00
Jun 6, 1978F10.3 mi33 yd01
Jul 12, 1977F12.6 mi80 yd00
Jul 15, 1976F10.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 24, 1975F230.6 mi100 yd01
Aug 1, 1970F12 mi100 yd01
Apr 18, 1969F227.3 mi300 yd00
Jun 7, 1968F216.7 mi200 yd00
Apr 6, 1956F156.4 mi100 yd00
May 14, 1950F22 mi10 yd05
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.