Wilkes County, North Carolina tornadoes

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12confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1973). Most recent: September 26, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

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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.

The record

At a glance

Total121950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthAugust3 of 12
StrongestF1May 27, 1973
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries4whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

August is the peak month, with 3 of 12 tornadoes.

By time of day

20 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 2: 112 PM: 0: 0: 03 PM: 2: 2: 06 PM: 2: 0: 29 PM: 0: 0: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 10:00 AM. 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: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 02020: 0: 2: 0: 0: 2: 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
3
EF1
9

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, May 27, 1973

32.3 mile path Longest path

32.3 miles, F1

May 27, 1973, whole path Widest

300 yards, EF1

October 8, 2017
Every tornado

All 12 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 26, 2024EF10.4 mi75 yd00
Apr 11, 2024EF16 mi150 yd00
Aug 17, 2021EF00.68 mi75 yd00
Aug 17, 2021EF00.74 mi50 yd00
Oct 23, 2017EF18.6 mi275 yd01
Oct 8, 2017EF17.08 mi300 yd00
Sep 5, 2011EF11.32 mi250 yd00
Aug 16, 1994F02 mi50 yd00
Apr 4, 1977F16.4 mi100 yd00
May 31, 1975F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 1, 1974F11 mi10 yd00
May 27, 1973F132.3 mi10 yd03
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 12, 2026.