Spartanburg County, South Carolina tornadoes

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38confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: December 29, 2024, 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 Spartanburg County

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The record

At a glance

Total381950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthApril7 of 38
StrongestF4May 5, 1989
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries140whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 1Feb: 3Mar: 6Apr: 7May: 6Jun: 2Jul: 2Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 4Nov: 1Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 7 of 38 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 1: 19 AM: 1: 1: 012 PM: 3: 3: 73 PM: 8: 4: 46 PM: 2: 1: 09 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

60 1950: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 21990: 3: 0: 0: 0: 6: 0: 1: 1: 1: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 02020: 1: 1: 1: 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
9
EF1
17
EF2
7
EF3
3
EF4
1
Unknown
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

2 deaths, 35 injuries Strongest

F4, May 5, 1989

15 mile path Longest path

60.2 miles, F3

May 27, 1973, whole path Widest

700 yards, F4

May 5, 1989
Every tornado

All 38 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Dec 29, 2024EF01.7 mi30 yd00
Mar 3, 2023EF121.27 mi50 yd00
May 23, 2022EF15.25 mi200 yd00
Apr 10, 2021EF01.13 mi20 yd00
Feb 6, 2020EF110.14 mi100 yd00
Oct 23, 2017EF23.02 mi350 yd01
Oct 23, 2017EF112.68 mi100 yd00
Oct 8, 2017EF222.28 mi200 yd00
Nov 30, 2016EF116.44 mi150 yd00
Jan 5, 2007FU0.25 mi50 yd00
Jul 7, 2005F00.2 mi50 yd00
Mar 11, 2000F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 6, 1998F01 mi30 yd00
Feb 21, 1997F21 mi73 yd00
Jul 26, 1996F10.1 mi10 yd00
Oct 22, 1994F02 mi73 yd00
Aug 16, 1994F130 mi150 yd00
Aug 16, 1994F330 mi250 yd00
Mar 27, 1994F118 mi50 yd00
Mar 27, 1994F133 mi100 yd04
Mar 27, 1994F245.4 mi100 yd013
Apr 28, 1990F16 mi50 yd04
Apr 28, 1990F02 mi30 yd00
Feb 10, 1990F15 mi50 yd00
May 5, 1989F415 mi700 yd235
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.