Lexington County, South Carolina tornadoes

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48confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: June 9, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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

Total481950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthAugust9 of 48
StrongestF3Aug 16, 1994
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries55whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 7Feb: 6Mar: 5Apr: 8May: 0Jun: 1Jul: 1Aug: 9Sep: 3Oct: 3Nov: 4Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

August is the peak month, with 9 of 48 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 2: 1: 09 AM: 4: 4: 212 PM: 5: 5: 53 PM: 5: 5: 16 PM: 3: 0: 09 PM: 2: 0: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 12:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

60 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 1: 6: 5: 0: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02010: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 3: 52020: 0: 3: 2: 3: 2: 219501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
14
EF1
21
EF2
10
EF3
3

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

F2, July 23, 1997

1 deaths, 6 injuries Strongest

F3, August 16, 1994

8 mile path Longest path

21.3 miles, F2

April 5, 1957, whole path Widest

710 yards, EF1

September 26, 2024
Every tornado

All 48 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 9, 2025EF16.17 mi200 yd00
Mar 16, 2025EF15.83 mi125 yd00
Sep 26, 2024EF113.71 mi710 yd00
Jan 9, 2024EF13.27 mi150 yd01
Jan 4, 2023EF04.58 mi50 yd00
Jan 4, 2023EF16.62 mi50 yd00
Jan 4, 2023EF01.43 mi50 yd00
Apr 5, 2022EF15.85 mi40 yd00
Apr 5, 2022EF25.68 mi100 yd01
Aug 17, 2021EF12.88 mi250 yd00
Aug 17, 2021EF04.32 mi50 yd00
Aug 17, 2021EF09.42 mi75 yd00
Oct 31, 2019EF00.07 mi50 yd00
Oct 31, 2019EF10.47 mi100 yd00
Oct 31, 2019EF11.14 mi50 yd00
Mar 3, 2019EF11.91 mi50 yd00
Mar 3, 2019EF110.84 mi100 yd00
Apr 15, 2018EF12.33 mi150 yd00
Apr 15, 2018EF00.43 mi100 yd00
Apr 15, 2018EF22.98 mi200 yd00
Apr 5, 2017EF00.01 mi75 yd00
Feb 3, 2016EF00.69 mi75 yd00
Apr 19, 2015EF19.55 mi200 yd00
Feb 24, 2012EF29.19 mi150 yd00
Mar 28, 2010EF25.01 mi440 yd01
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Mar 12, 20261 SW Lake Murray DamNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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.