York County, South Carolina tornadoes

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25confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1961). 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 York County

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The record

At a glance

Total251950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay7 of 25
StrongestF3Mar 27, 1994
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries14whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

May is the peak month, with 7 of 25 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 2: 1: 212 PM: 2: 3: 23 PM: 3: 5: 16 PM: 1: 2: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. 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: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 1: 2: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 1: 1: 0: 0: 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
12
EF1
8
EF2
4
EF3
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

EF2, November 16, 2011

3 deaths, 5 injuries Strongest

F3, March 27, 1994

18.5 mile path Longest path

20 miles, F1

May 3, 1984, whole path Widest

200 yards, F3

March 27, 1994
Every tornado

All 25 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Dec 29, 2024EF03.02 mi50 yd00
May 3, 2021EF10.5 mi150 yd00
May 22, 2020EF112.74 mi200 yd00
Apr 15, 2018EF01.07 mi75 yd00
Nov 16, 2011EF25.8 mi200 yd35
May 26, 2011EF00.76 mi100 yd00
Jun 16, 2009EF11.47 mi30 yd00
Sep 7, 2004F23 mi200 yd00
Feb 22, 2003F00.2 mi25 yd00
Apr 19, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 19, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Feb 21, 1997F02 mi100 yd00
May 1, 1995F01 mi50 yd00
Aug 16, 1994F00.1 mi50 yd00
Mar 27, 1994F318.5 mi200 yd02
Mar 6, 1989F00.5 mi10 yd00
Aug 17, 1985F01 mi30 yd00
Aug 17, 1985F13 mi30 yd00
May 3, 1984F120 mi100 yd00
Dec 5, 1977F11.5 mi100 yd00
Mar 24, 1975F19.1 mi100 yd05
May 28, 1973F22 mi100 yd00
May 24, 1973F22 mi67 yd02
Jun 22, 1964F11.5 mi53 yd00
Jul 16, 1961F00.3 mi10 yd00
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.