Wake County, North Carolina tornadoes

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40confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: August 3, 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 Wake County

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The record

At a glance

Total401950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMarch11 of 40
StrongestF4Nov 27, 1988
Deaths11whole paths, see note
Injuries300whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

110 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 11Apr: 6May: 7Jun: 3Jul: 3Aug: 1Sep: 3Oct: 1Nov: 2Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March is the peak month, with 11 of 40 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 1: 1: 13 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 1: 0: 112 PM: 5: 2: 53 PM: 3: 5: 86 PM: 1: 2: 19 PM: 0: 0: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 3: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 1: 2: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 22020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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
19
EF1
12
EF2
7
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

EF3, April 16, 2011

6 deaths, 103 injuries Strongest

F4, November 27, 1988

83 mile path Longest path

83 miles, F4

November 27, 1988, whole path Widest

800 yards, F2

February 11, 1981
Every tornado

All 40 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 3, 2024EF11.5 mi30 yd00
Dec 10, 2023EF11.88 mi250 yd00
Jul 23, 2019EF01.24 mi175 yd00
May 13, 2019EF217.18 mi385 yd00
Apr 15, 2018EF10.74 mi100 yd00
Mar 29, 2014EF00.12 mi75 yd00
Mar 29, 2014EF00.18 mi145 yd00
Sep 18, 2012EF00.51 mi30 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF365.23 mi500 yd6103
Mar 6, 2011EF02.34 mi50 yd01
Apr 25, 2010EF03.87 mi75 yd00
Sep 14, 2007EF00.1 mi25 yd00
Sep 27, 2004F04 mi50 yd00
Jun 1, 2001F00.1 mi25 yd00
Mar 20, 1998F00.2 mi30 yd00
Mar 20, 1998F21.5 mi100 yd02
Mar 20, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jul 12, 1996F04.5 mi100 yd00
Apr 15, 1996F13 mi50 yd026
Apr 15, 1996F02 mi200 yd00
Mar 27, 1993F00.5 mi30 yd00
Oct 23, 1990F11.5 mi100 yd00
Nov 27, 1988F483 mi400 yd4154
Mar 26, 1988F00.2 mi13 yd00
Mar 14, 1986F10.5 mi50 yd00
Cities

Cities in Wake 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 13, 2026.